I pondered long and hard about what to choose as my most beautiful thing. I love the ocean, warming cups of tea, log fires, cake for breakfast, warm blankets, naps, the smell of rain and my fiance very dearly (and obviously not in that order) but in the end I have chosen… trees.

There is nothing that I don’t love about trees. I love their sculptural appearance in winter when the intricacies of their bark are laid bare. I love their blossom and buds in spring, and the way bluebells flower in their shade. I love their sweet green leaves in summer and the sound the wind makes when it brushes through their canopies. I love the blaze of glorious autumn colour that they provide. And I love the shelter, warmth and oxygen that they bring to us and to so many gorgeous woodland creatures. Trees truly are one of nature’s wonders. Take the time to really look at one today, and then visit the blogsplash to see what others have chosen.

Described as a ‘circus sideshow made of words’, Freaks is a collection of tales about what happens when ordinary mortals suddenly obtain a range of bewildering superpowers – taking in My Little Pony Pants and photocopiers along the way…

With illustrations by comic book star Darren Craske, this is sure to put a smile on your face and might just encourage you to give your inner a freak a good hug.

As a taster, Nik and Caroline are allowing me to share one of their stories below (can you guess who wrote it?). But before you read on, hurry up and buy a copy of this engaging collection in print or for your kindle.

Invisible

[Super Power: The ability to make oneself unseen to the naked eye]

If I stay totally still,

if I stand right tall,

with me back against the school wall,

close to the science room’s window,

with me feet together,

pointing straight,

aiming forward,

if I make me hands into tight fists,

make me arms dead straight,

if I push me arms into me sides,

if I squeeze me thighs,

stop me wee,

if me belly doesn’t shake,

if me boobs don’t wobble,

if I close me eyes tight,

so tight that it makes me whole face scrunch,

if I push me lips into me mouth,

if I make me teeth bite me lips together,

if I hardly breathe,

if I don’t say a word.

Then,

I’ll magic meself invisible,

and them lasses will leave me alone.

My entry into Rachael Harrie’s second platform-building campaign challenge was judged eighth out of an amazing 110 entries and I won an e-book from the lovely Jessica Therrien and an invaluable critique from Louise Wise of Wise Words.

As you can imagine, I am hugely excited to have had my work placed in this contest and I am very grateful to Rachael and her panel of judges, as well as to the generous people who donated a prize.

There is something really encouraging about having other writers see promise in what you produce and that’s why (appropriate and professional) networking can be so rewarding for those of us just starting out.

I will leave you, for today,with a great big SQUEEE!

The kits contain all of the clay and findings that you need to create several pieces of jewellery and come with pictorial instructions that are relatively easy to follow.

As I was new to working with polymer clay I searched online and found several ‘get started’ tutorials on You Tube that gave me a greater degree of confidence and covered some of the basics, such as how to condition your clay to get the best results.

I would recommend acquiring a little bit of background knowledge before getting stuck in but the techniques are all fairly easy and the kits would work for children with a bit of adult supervision. Once you have formed and cut your clay shapes you need to bake them in a domestic oven and then let them cool before attaching them to the findings. If you intend to make a lot of polymer clay pieces then it’s also worth investing in a cheap pasta machine as that is by far the easiest way of conditioning and rolling the clay before use.

Being a contrary sort I eschewed the instructions that came with my kits (I received the retro swirl and beautiful blues kits) and went off-piste instead, ending up with enough pieces to make rings, earrings, pendants, buttons and bracelets. My favourites are shown below, what do you think?

That author was the very lovely and hugely talented Caroline Smailes, and the ebook in question – 99 Reasons Why – launched at the beginning of this week.

What makes this book so exciting is that the reader chooses the ending! Available for Kindle, iPad or iPhone, 99 Reasons Why is the story of Kate who lives a truly ‘wonky’ life, spying on a nursery and flashing at strangers. Readers can choose from one of nine endings (by answering questions or by spinning the wheel on their iPad / iPhone) and each one reveals a little more of the story.

An additional ending will be handwritten by Caroline and auctioned for charity and I have one further ending to share with you, right here, right now!

Buy your copy of this intiguing new book for Kindle or for iPad and then read on for the tenth ending.

99: the reason why I was only worth ninety-nine quid

It’s been six days since the little girl in the pink coat went missing and me Uncle Phil’s in me bedroom.

We’ve been watching the little girl in the pink coat’s mam on the news. She was appealing to the public for witnesses.

‘Didn’t realise she had a mam,’ I says, looking at me telly.

‘Everyone’s got a mam, pet,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

‘She sold her story to ‘The Sun,’ I says, looking at me telly.

‘Got a few quid,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

I nod.

‘She wanted nowt to do with that bairn before all this,’ me Uncle Phil says, looking at me telly.

‘Do you know where she is?’ I asks me Uncle Phil.

‘Belle?’ me Uncle Phil asks me.

I nod.

‘She’s safe,’ me Uncle Phil says to me. ‘Your mam’s keeping an eye on her.’

‘Can I be her mam?’ I asks me Uncle Phil.

‘No, pet, you’re a filthy whore,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

I nod.

‘Can you make Andy Douglas come back, Uncle Phil?’ I asks me Uncle Phil.

Me Uncle Phil shakes his head.

‘I love him,’ I tell me Uncle Phil.

‘Andy Douglas is your brother, pet. You didn’t seriously think Princess Di was your mam, did you?’ me Uncle Phil asks me.

I nod.

‘You’re a cradle snatcher just like your mam,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

I nod.

‘Your mam miscarried when she found out I’d been banging Betty Douglas. Betty was expecting you,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

I don’t speak.

‘When you was born, your mam went mad and I ended up buying you from Betty Douglas for ninety-nine quid,’ me Uncle Phil says.

‘Ninety-nine quid?’ I asks me Uncle Phil.

‘I paid a hundred but got a quid change for some chips for your mam and dad’s tea,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

‘You bought me?’ I asks me Uncle Phil.

I’m a little bit sick in me mouth.

‘It was the right thing to do,’ me Uncle Phil says to me. ‘I got Betty Douglas pregnant straight away with Andy.’

‘I’m pregnant,’ I says to me Uncle Phil. ‘I’m pregnant with me brother’s baby,’ I says, and then I throws up on me purple carpet.

‘You’re a filthy whore,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

‘What am I going to do?’ I asks me Uncle Phil.

‘You’re going to have the baby,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

‘Have me brother’s baby?’ I asks me Uncle Phil.

‘Then I’m giving it to Betty Douglas to bring up,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

‘You what?’ I says to me Uncle Phil.

‘It’s the right thing to do,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

‘I can’t—’ I says to me Uncle Phil.

‘It’s either that or I’ll make you disappear,’ me Uncle Phil says to me.

I don’t speak.

I’m thinking, they’re all a bunch of nutters.

I will be writing three pieces, based on the series of prompts on Rachael’s blog. Each piece is linked by one overarching theme.

First piece – A story in five sentences that connects all five prompts.

Rahul and Madina sheltered under the concrete bridge, hiding from the rain that fell in sheets, drenching their skin and hair. Rahul’s leg slowly seeped crimson blood from a gash made by the slice of rusty tin he had uncovered on their daily trip to scavenge from the dump. Cupping her hands, Madina caught droplets of rain, juicy like ripe pears, and poured them into the open wound. The pain flashed in front of Rahul’s eyes, dancing like fireworks. He looked beyond it, into his imagination, and there he saw a small boy, a little like him but smartly dressed in a new red coat and sturdy shoes, smiling as he chased a ball through wide open spaces.

Second piece – A poem about prompt three that doesn’t include the words ‘pear’, ‘spoon’ or ‘droplet’.

Water runs
Collides and colludes to make
a ghostly form

The bulbous shape hangs
Forbidden fruit
Suspended as offering

It spatters
Washing innocence
Away.

Third piece – flash fiction of less than 200 words based on prompt two.

His feet skittered across the surface, rubber soles kissing a checkerboard of light and shade. Focused, he followed the path of the ball as the sea breeze tossed it sideways. Where there were squares he saw sidelines, a penalty spot, the goal. His red coat was really a uniform, name and number blazing between his shoulders. Breathless he caught up, pulled back his leg and then, “look at ‘im go, a proper David Beckham, in ‘is head at least”, their laughter echoed through the years. (85 words)

If you like my efforts then do leave a comment or a critique. You can also like my entry here (I’m number 100).

Campaigners have been asked to write a short story of 200 words, beginning with “Shadows crept across the wall” and ending with “everything faded”. We should also include the word “orange”.

Here’s my entry.

Condemned

Shadows crept across the wall, tracing the path of the setting sun. At this time of year the cell sucked in half an hour of daylight and, if he stood on the edge of the bed, he could sniff autumnal decay in the leaf-laden air.

He glanced down at the orange regulation jumpsuit and wondered who chose that colour and why? Perhaps they’d been trying to cheer the place up a bit, or maybe they wanted to highlight the sallow skin that set in after a few months on the block?

As the last rays faded and the merciless fluorescents kicked in, a door clanked open and steel toe-capped footsteps shredded the silence. Sallow skinned or not he had been passed fit. The paperwork had been filed, the hearings had been held and the clock kept right on ticking.

He felt the cold metal hoops close around his wrists and ankles and shuffled his way down the hall towards the chamber. They strapped him down so only his head could move and, turning to the right he spoke his final words – a plea, a prayer, the story of life lost in a moment. One sharp stab then everything faded.

The first questions come from Jane over at A Writer’s Muses.

1. If you could live the life of any historical character or person from 1900 or earlier, who would that be?
I think I’d have to say Queen Elizabeth the first.

2. Why did you choose that person?
I’d relish defying all of the assumptions of the nobles by staying single and running things my way, whilst flirting outrageously of course. Plus, I do like a nice palace.

3. What is the one thing in life you want to accomplish?
A long and happy marriage to my lovely fiance

4. What tv show do you wish would be remade or produced?
Bring back the Muppets!

5. What was the last book you read?
It was ‘The Help’ by Kathryn Stockett. I realise that a lot of people read it a while ago but I only just got round to it. Having lived in the Southern States I found it very interesting, and the book was more nuanced than the film.

6. What is your favorite old (black and white) movie?
It’s hard to choose as I like nothing more than a classic black and white movie on a rainy Sunday afternoon. If pushed I’d probably have to say ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ as I am a bit of a Tennessee Williams fanatic.

7. If you could invent one thing to benefit humanity, what would that be?
Ooh, getting deep now. I’d like to invent an empathy switch that compels one person to truly see the experiences and understand the point of view of another. It would help with all sorts of conflicts and should sort out the more judgemental and selfish parts of our society.

8. If you could grant someone you know a wish right now, what would that be?
I would give my brother the ability to make sure that both of my nephews can go to any college they like, without worrying about how he’s going to pay for it.

9.What classroom memory do you have from elementary school?
I remember all of our craft lessons – which included knitting, basket-weaving and making felt puppets.

10. Describe your favorite fruit without naming it.
Skin like suede, it blushes as you bite, revealing soft, juicy flesh the colour of the setting sun.

11. Name a song that makes you feel happy whenever you hear it.
Footloose

And the second set of questions is from Marcy Howes.

1. What was your favorite book or book series as a child?
Beatrix Potter’s beautifully illustrated animal stories. I still have some battered and treasured copies.

2. Chocolate or vanilla or caramel?
Vanilla.

3. You are going out with friends. Would you rather dress up, or go casual?
Relaxed and casual every time.

4. You must evacuate your home and only have time to fill one backpack. What are the first three items you will put inside?
My two teddy bears and my laptop full of family pictures.

5. It’s a rainy 3-day weekend. What are your plans?
A quick trip to the shops to buy some lovely food and home via the library where I’d check out a couple of good books and some classic movies to enjoy from the comfort of my sofa.

6. What was your most beloved toy as a young child?
I have always been a lover of bears and books.

7. What is your favorite board game or card game now?
Games can be quite contentious in our family (there is a competitive gene) but I enjoy Pictionary and have fallen off many chairs laughing at my brother’s comments – the all time classic being a picture of Ben Hur in a chariot which Jon described as ‘a dude doing a dog’.

8. You have been given the gift of a week-long trip anywhere in the world for you and your closest friends or family members. Cost is no object. Where will you choose to go?
We’d all go to a villa in Hawaii.

9. What is the most interesting word you have read or learned in the past week? (yes, you may look one up now if you like.)
Macerator, a great word for a not so lovely object!

10. What is the most creative thing you have done in the past month?
A one day introductory course to making jewellery with precious metal clay. I adored it and have two gorgeous pieces as a memento.

11. What is your most unusual characteristic?
I’m a bit obsessed with switching appliances off at the plug. It drives my family bonkers but safety first I say.

OK, now it’s my turn to pose eleven random questions for eleven other bloggers. Here’s my list:

1. Describe your favourite item of clothing?
2. What was the last thing you saw at the theatre?
3. Write the inscription you want on your headstone (cheery I know)
4. If you created a new brand of cheese, what would you call it and why?
5. Morning, noon or night?
6. Name one thing you are far too scared to do.
7. If you could inhabit any fictional world which one would you choose?
8. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would that be?
9. In your dream house, what would your favourite room look like?
10. Who or what makes you howl with laughter?
11. Make me a cocktail and tell me what’s in it.

I’d like to pose these dastardly dilemmas to:

C L Bledsoe
Neil Vogler
Christy Farmer
Ute Carbone
K. Zeth Ozbirn
Jaye Viner
Some harlots, harpies and harridans!
Scott Bury
Misha Gericke
Jennifer McMurrain
Marieke

PS: Having delved deeper into the comments threads on some of these blogs it seems a few have already answered questions. Nevermind, as fellow campaigners they are still well worth checking out.

The campaign is a great way to discover new blogs, network with fellow writers and stretch your creative muscles, so if you fancy joining in then pop by her blog now!

Of course there were days when writing my small stone was just anther thing on the ‘to do’ list, another task or obligation to be fulfilled. Nobody has a month that is entirely spiritual after all.

But looking back I can see that my little stream has helped me to capture the tone of this wintry month. It has helped me to remember some beautiful days and some poignant ones. It has helped me to mark the passing of time and to look for the moments that stand-out, even on days when hurrying was the name of the game.

And now my stream will merge with the river. My experiences will join with those of several hundred others and we will all take the time to be thankful, at the end of thirty one days, for the gift that was January.

Not many of the items on that ‘to do’ list have a result as positive as that!

To read all of my stones, click here.