Monday News - On Tuesday!

Upcoming Events at AWCS

AWCS & OWL'S NEST BOOKS PRESENT: AN OPEN MIC NIGHT DATE: September 26, 2012 TIME: 7:00pm-8:30pm VENUE: Owl's Nest Books (815A, 49th Ave SW, Calgary) MC: Sarah Johnson (Meet me, the AWCS blogmonkey, in person and I'll try not to act weird around you) Back for its second year, the open mic will kick off on September 26 and continue the last Wednesday of every month (except December). Here's how it works: Come on down to Owl's Nest Books prepared to read for no longer than five minutes. Put your name into the hat. Throughout the evening up to 10 readers will be selected by random draw. If you don't get a chance to read, don't worry. Join us at the next open mic for another chance. Upcoming Dates: October 31: Bring something "spooky" to read. November 28 Free Fall Friday Writing Sessions Date: Every Friday Time: 10am-12pm Venue: AWCS Classroom Writers block got you down? Can't seem to come up with any new ideas for a short story or poem? Maybe you just want to get out of the house for a couple of hours and spend some time in the comfort of friends and writers. Join AWCS every Friday for 2 hour sessions of uninhibited free fall writing. AWCS Members: Free Non-Members: $10 Contact: Mary Kurucz at mary.k@shaw.ca for more information. What is 'free fall' writing? The free fall method of writing encourages writers to write without editing as they go. That editorial instinct to edit as you write, common to most writers, can be tempting but also time consuming and counter-productive. W.O. Mitchell's free fall method encourages writers to switch off that inner editor and just write uninhibited, as the thoughts come into their minds, relying on sensory information and memories. The writer can edit after the piece is complete, but during the process, it is essential that the writer does not revise.

WRITERS' CONNECTION: A DISCUSSION GROUP DATE: Monday, October 15, 2012 TIME: 7-9pm FACILITATOR: Shirlee Smith Matheson THEME: Nonfiction Once a month, join AWCS for a casual discussion on all things writing. Each meeting will be facilitated by a different published writer from the Calgary literary community. Could be themed, could be open. Bring a couple of pages of a work in progress to read and discuss as a group. Meet and mingle with other writers. For writers of all skill levels. Upcoming Meetings November 12 | Facilitator: Barb Howard | Theme: Short Fiction December 3 | Facilitator: Robin van Eck | Theme: Open

WE SHOULD KNOW EACH OTHER #100 (WSKEO #100) DATE: September 29 & 30, 2012 TIME: 10am to 10pm | 10am to 4pm VENUE: King Edward School (1720, 30th Ave SW) AWCS will be participating in WSKEO #100 at the King Edward School. Come down for the day or for a few hours to check out the other great presenters at this event. Background 'We Should Know Each Other' is a crossroad of communities. It invites people to stretch the limits of their social circles and enhance their thinking with a diversity of new ideas and perspectives. It provides a safe and welcoming space for viewpoints to collide in unexpected ways, and for creative sparks to fly. Since February 2008, Mark Hopkins has hosted regular 'We Should Know Each Other' (WSKEO) events in Calgary, Alberta where hundreds of strangers have shared stories, laughter and new friendships. The landmark 100th edition of 'We Should Know Each Other' will take place at King Edward Arts Hub and Incubator - the first project of cSPACE, a non-profit real estate enterprise dedicated to developing a network of multi-disciplinary creative workspaces across the city. With a mission to connect people, place and ideas to ignite creativity, community, collaboration and change, cSPACE is excited to invite the community inside the 100-year-old King Edward School before the redevelopment process begins. Event Summary WSKEO #100 will take place on Saturday, September 29th, 2012 from 10:00am-10:00 pm and continue through Sunday, September 30th, 2012 from 10:00am-4pm, throughout King Edward School in South Calgary (1720 - 30th Ave SW). WSKEO #100 will invite a vast range of Calgarians to intersect in fascinating and meaningful ways, through a series of diverse activities that encourage interaction between participants. As this event will also coincide with Alberta Culture Days, Pecha Kucha Night and Doors Open at King Edward School - WSKEO #100 will provide family-friendly opportunities that will suit diverse interests. Come create and experience a lively range of local culture set against the backdrop of a historic school; walk the locker-lined halls, write a message on an old blackboard and visit the gymnasium - while also experiencing live music, speakers, games, installations and more! Youth Programs Reality is Optional (RIO) Kids Writing Club Need a place that understands you? Come and join the RIO. Create a writing club the way you want it. Youth led, adult mentored. Guest speakers, writing games, friends and creativity. Ages seventeen and under. Play with your words — all you need is a notebook and pen. Meetings are held the second and last Monday of every month from September to June at the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society in beautiful Calgary, Alberta – from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm in the AWCS classroom. Fees: Drop In: $5. Full Year $40.00 (basically an AWCS youth membership with all the benefits!) Write This! Instructor: Kim Firmston Begins: October 3 (8 weeks) Time: 5:15-6:45pm Members: $100 | Non-Members: $140 (includes a youth membership) Ages: 12-17 Do you find yourself holed up in your room alone with your note book or computer? Do you live in worlds created by yourself? Have you been conversing with people who don’t really exist? No, you’re not crazy – you’re a writer! Come and meet other youth writers and spend some time getting really good at your craft. Learn how to mix genres, hone your character’s goals, and really bring your reader into your story. REGISTER ONLINE Fall 2012 Writing Courses ONE DAY WORKSHOPS Flash Fiction (Seats Still Available) Instructor: Rona Altrows Saturday | September 22 | 10am-3:30pm Member Price: $75 | Non-member Price: $95 In this workshop we will explore flash fiction, the short-short story form now enjoying a surge in popularity. For our purposes we will define flash fiction as a story of under 1000 words. Come prepared to write, as the class will be hands-on. Learn how to move from idea to compact story inspired by themes important to you as a writer. In-class exercises will lead you to write a flash story. You’ll learn self-editing tips and we will discuss character development and story arc in flash fiction. We’ll also touch on marketing. Magic Realism (4 Seats Still Available) Instructor: Meghan Doraty Saturday | October 13 | 10am-3:30pm Member Price: $75 | Non-member Price: $95 In this one day workshop, we will discuss magic realism, a style of writing that seamlessly weaves the fantastical with the real. As a class we will discuss the elements of magic realism and practice implementing them with short shared exercises. The Book Review (Seats Still Available) Instructor: Robin van Eck Saturday | November 24 | 10am-3:30pm Member Price: $75 | Non-member Price: $95 Book reviews are more than a summary of a book. It’s a craft, like any other writing. In this workshop you will learn ways to artfully craft a review so that it stands out above others. Through examples and writing exercises you will learn how to make a review unique to you, the writer, how to write a balanced review, as well as where to publish. REGISTER ONLINE Eight Week Courses Introduction to Creative Writing (2 Seats Still Available) Instructor: Vicki Chatham Mondays | 7-9pm | September 24 (8 weeks) In this eight week course, you will learn about the free fall method of writing and how it can be a useful tool for all writing. Then, using short story as a model, you will be introduced to the basics of character, plot, dialogue and setting through discussion, free fall writing, practical writing exercises and mutual feedback. Introduction to Creative Writing (4 Seats Still Available) Instructor: Robin van Eck Thursdays | 7-9pm | September 20 (8 weeks) In this eight week course, you will learn about the free fall method of writing and how it can be a useful tool for all writing. Then, using short story as a model, you will be introduced to the basics of character, plot, dialogue and setting through discussion, free fall writing, practical writing exercises and mutual feedback. Creative Nonfiction (2 Seats Still Available) Instructor: Ellen Kelly Thursdays | 7-9pm | September 20 (8 weeks) This eight week course gives participants the opportunity to develop their own true stories creatively. Characterization, scene, narration, theme, voice, truth, story/plot development and publication/markets will be discussed as they apply to CNF. Specific interests of class participants will be addressed and students will be expected to write, both briefly in class and more extensively at home. Sharing is encouraged. Short Fiction (Seats Still Available) Instructor: Meghan Doraty Tuesdays | 7-9 pm | October 9 (8 weeks) An eight week course designed to introduce and refine the skills required to write short fiction. We will discuss beginnings and endings, plotting, characterization, theme, voice, point of view and publication strategies. Students will be asked to share work and offer feedback on other student’s work in order to polish and perfect their own writing. Each two hour class will include one hour of constructive feedback from the instructor and students and one hour of exercises and/or discussion about specific writing strategies. REGISTER ONLINE Ten Week Courses Experimental Fiction (Seats Still Available) Instructor: Rob Jacobsen Tuesdays | 7-9:30pm | September 18 (10 weeks) This class is for writers looking for something a little different. We will look at blending genres, unconventional narrative styles and non-traditional structures. Through examples of experimental literature such as The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne, and other authors like Donald Barthelme, Robert Coover, Ronald Sukenick, Martin Amis, Margaret Atwood, and Chuck Palahniuk we will explore the various aspects of experimenting with your writing. We will look at not just the how, but the why, of an author’s decision to write a story a certain way. This will allow for narrative and stylistic exploration. There will be a high level of work shopping in this class. Writing a Play for Lunchbox Theatre (4 Seats Still Available) Instructor: Caroline Russell-King Wednesdays | 7-9:30pm | September 19 (10 weeks) A ten week course designed with the completion of a one act play suitable for submission to Lunchbox Theatre. From the playwright who has had many productions at the longest running noon time theatre in the world! Her last show Mr Fix It was nominated for a Betty Mitchell Theatre Award for Outstanding New Play. A Novel Idea (2 Seats Still Available) Instructor: Theanna Bischoff Wednesdays | 7-9:30 pm | September 19, 2012 (10 weeks) Are you working on a novel-length manuscript or have an idea for one? Learn the steps involved in writing a novel, such as choosing point of view, setting up a structure, planning out the plot and characterization. Learn and discuss the foundations involved in writing quality novel-length fiction. Students will submit portions of their novel and receive critical feedback from the instructor and other students. This course is a pre-requisite for A Novel Approach, the year-long novel course. REGISTER ONLINE NEW: ELEMENTS OF STORY WORKSHOPS Showing vs. Telling (Seats Still Available) Instructor: Susan Forest Saturday & Sunday | September 22 & 23 |10am-4:30pm Member Price: $140 | Non-member Price: $190 The first “rule” of fiction writing all authors learn is to “show” story events scenically through action, as opposed to “telling” the story. But how is that accomplished? What are the craft techniques that lead to page-turning stories that immerse the reader so he forgets the book in his hands, and lives the story in imagination? And…when is “telling” the tool of choice? This two-day intensive workshop will explore techniques such as time dilation, for interweaving dialogue, internal monologue, description, action and emotion into well-structured, purposeful scenes. Who Is Seeing This? (Seats Still Available) Instructor: Vivian Hansen Saturday | October 20 | 10am-3:30pm Member Price: $75 | Non-member Price: $95 Ever wondered how a scene, a poem, a story, just sounds absolutely right, as though you’re living the moment? But.. you don’t know who’s telling the story. Or why? Does the point of view make a difference to how we read or what we experience? This will be an active workshop, so bring scenes and stories to class Craft Memorable Memoir Characters (Seats Still Available) Instructor: Wilma Rubens Saturday | October 27 | 10am-3:30pm Member Price: $75 | Non-member Price: $95 Compelling characters are at the heart of any story that the reader cares about. Just as in writing fiction, memoir characters need to be brought to life. Real life people are quirky with different and contrasting shades, strong desires, flaws and heroic qualities that come alive in action and dialogue. We will use writing prompts to create unforgettable characters and weave a trail of clues, cliffhangers and insights into our stories. Dynamic Dialogue (Seats Still Available) Instructor: Susan Calder Saturday | November 3 | 10am-3:30pm Member Price: $75 | Non-member Price: $95 Dialogue is one of the strongest tools for portraying characters in fiction and creative non-fiction. When do you use dialogue in a story? What makes dialogue effective, interesting and full of tension? How can dialogue move your story forward? Through writing exercises, discussion and the study of published works learn how to make your dialogue sparkle. World Building (Seats Still Available) Instructor: Elaine Morin Saturday | November 17 | 10am-3:30pm Member Price: $75 | Non-member Price: $95 Whether it’s your backyard, a Hong Kong market or an alien starship, the world you write should be believable. But which details are necessary to carry a story? How do you make those descriptive passages zing? For both fiction and creative non-fiction writers, this workshop will explore world building through already published works, discussion and lectures, and writing exercises. Whose Story is it? (Point of View, Ownership and Telling It Like It Is) (Seats Still Available) Instructor: J. Jill Robinson Saturday & Sunday | November 24 & 25 | 10am-4:30pm Member Price: $140 | Non-member Price: $190 Some writers say that choosing the right point of view through which to tell the story is the most important decision a writer makes, and that most problems encountered in the writing process can be traced to p.o.v. concerns. Changing point of view can certainly can have a startling impact on your narrative, and can often help get you unstuck when you’re stuck. Come and find out more, through discussion and exercises, with novelist, short story, and creative non-fiction writer Jill Robinson. For writers at all levels. REGISTER ONLINE EVENTS AROUND TOWN HELLO, GOODBYE DATE: September 13, 2012 TIME: 7pm VENUE: Arrata Opera House (1315, 7th St SW, Calgary) The Calgary Distinguished Writers Program presents Hello Goodbye, an event that welcomes GG-nominated fiction writer Deborah Willis as the 2012-13 Canadian Writer-in-Residence, and celebrates the completion of Jeramy Dodds’ CDWP residency, through a public reading by both authors at the Arrata Opera Centre (1315 7 St SW) on September 13 at 7:30 p.m. Deborah Willis, author of the Alice Munro-acclaimed short story collection Vanishing and Other Stories, will delight audiences with new material, part of the collection of linked stories she will be working on throughout her residency. Jeramy Dodds, author of the Trillium Award-winning poetry collection Crabwise to the Hounds, will read from his translation of the Poetic Edda, as well as poems from his new collection, entitled Gods' Girls. This free public reading will be followed by a reception. We welcome the entire community. For the Facebook event visit https://www.facebook.com/events/430369417014483/. For more information on Deborah Willis visit www.deborahwillis.ca. For more information on Jeramy Dodds visit www.jeramydodds.com. The Canadian Writer-in-Residence Program, a ten-month residency for emerging Canadian Writers, is a component of the University of Calgary’s Calgary Distinguished Writers Program (CDWP), a program with the goal of celebrating reading and writing. For more information visit www.calgarywritersprogram.com,www.facebook.com/CalgaryDistinguishedWritersProgram, and www.twitter.com/CDWP_UCalgary. BOOK LAUNCH: I KNOW WHO YOU REMIND ME OF | NAOMI K. LEWIS DATE: Saturday, September 15, 2012 (Note Date Change) TIME: 2pm VENUE: Shelf Life Books (100, 1302, 4th St SW, Calgary) Come join us for the launch of Naomi K. Lewis’ new collection of stories: reading, signing & libations! Naomi K. Lewis is an award-winning fiction and nonfiction writer. She was writer in residence at the Calgary Public Library throughout the fall of 2011. I Know Who You Remind Me Of won the 2012 Colophon Prize, which the publisher Enfield & Wizenty awards to the best unpublished manuscript with “literary and commercial appeal.” The book’s eight short stories and one novella follow characters haunted by long-ago decisions, loves and grudges— a grad student who impersonated a high school classmate in Internet pornography, a man who gave his eyeball to a former lover, a woman bent on finally outdoing her sister by skydiving from space. BOOK LAUNCH: SWALLOW | THEANNA BISCHOFF DATE: Sunday, September 23, 2012 TIME: 6pm VENUE: Auburn Saloon (115, 9th Ave SE, Calgary) Come help celebrate the launch of Swallow (Theanna Bischoff, NeWest Press) and help raise awareness for Suicide Prevention (via the Calgary Centre for Suicide Prevention). Join us for readings, appetizers, and bid on some fun silent auction items! Open invite - friends & family welcome. WORKSHOPS IN OKOTOKS Okotokians: Fiction Course coming soon to a town near you...(The Okotoks Rec Centre :) I Wanna Be a Writer Ages: 18 Yrs. and over Fees: $185.00 Description: Come learn what it takes to be a fiction writer. We'll explore the basics of fiction from the ground up. We'll write, workshop and discuss our way through this informal and fun introduction to the art of story telling. Lee Kvern is the award-winning Okotoks author of short stories and novels. www.leekvern.com Spots Available: 8 8 Classes W Oct 3-Nov 21 7:00-9:00pm Register:https://netreg.okotoks.ca/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp WORKSHOPS AT CALGARY PUBLIC LIBRARY You can now register for these two free back-to-back writing programs at the Calgary Public Library. E-Book or Print? Saturday, Nov 17, noon – 1:00 PM Consider both formats when publishing your writing. Author and promoter, Susan Toy, discusses the many changes in promotion and marketing that have occurred as a result of both methods of delivering books to readers. Character Creation Workshop Saturday, Nov 17, 1:00 – 3:00 PM Join local authors Susan Calder (Deadly Fall) and Garry Ryan (Blackbirds) for an interactive workshop on making your characters come alive and about using E-Resources. Bring your questions and meet other writers. Everyone welcome. Both sessions take place at the Calgary Public Library Central branch, 616 Macleod Trail SE. Register online www.calgarypubliclibrary.com or call 403-260-2620. Space is limited. Writer's Group Calling all picture book writers and illustrators! The SCBWI Canada West opens their fall programing with Putting Pictures and Words Together on Monday, September 10, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Deanne Allan and Janice Blaine will share their experience in publishing children's books. Deanne has recently written, illustrated and published (and is now marketing) four picture books. Janice worked with Deanne on the design of her books and has illustrated 12 children's books of her own. Come learn about the process of combining art and words into a published book. Meetings are held in the Community Meeting Room, lower level Southcentre Mall and are free for members, $5 for non-members. Guests are always welcome! Please RSVP pmcdowell@shaw.ca Calls for Submissions FreeFall Magazine Next deadline for submissions is for the contest issue. Deadline December 31. This years contest judge is Patrick Lane. For submission guidelines please visit website. filling Station Call for Submissions: Special Issue of filling Station magazine on Northern B.C. Writing filling Station is soliciting submissions of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and visual art for a special issue on Northern B.C. Writing to be guest-edited by Jason Wiens. The magazine also encourages reviews of recent publications by Northern B.C. writers. The filling Station collective will vet and select submissions with a planned publication date in early 2013. Please send electronic submissions complete with short bio and mailing address by 1 October 2012 to Jason Wiens atjlwiens@ucalgary.ca with fS NORTHERN BC ISSUE in the subject, or hard copy submissions to: Jason Wiens Department of English University of Calgary 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4 Regular submission guidelines still apply. View website for details. Places for Writers Complete listing of calls for submissions and Canadian literary magazines. Duotrope.com Complete listings for international magazines. Calls for submissions, anthologies and more. Ralan.com Listings for sci-fi and humor markets. Urban Green Man Short Fiction Anthology Show Your Support, Every Little Bit Helps The Alexandra Writers Centre Society is a registered charitable organization. Each year we rely on the support of our members and the community to help ensure we continue to offer the best in programs and courses for the literary community. We couldn't do it without you. Your donations are graciously appreciated. All donations over $10 receive a tax deductible receipt. Donations can be made through our website (pay by credit card or through PayPal) If you don’t wish to pay online, cheques can be made payable to AWCS and mailed to 922, 9th Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0S4 For business owners, a sponsorship of $500 will put your logo with link on our website for 6 months as well as its inclusion on our publicity materials; and, of course, a tax deductible receipt. Please contact the office for more details. Please don’t feel obligated, but if you can donate even a little we would be so grateful. AWCS appreciates all the support you have offered over the years and looks forward to many more. Donate Today OFFICE HOURS FOR FALL Monday to Wednesday: 9am to 12pm Closed Holidays Please contact the office by email or phone if you have an urgent matter. 922, 9th Ave. SE, Calgary, AB T2G 0S4 | 403.264.4730 | awcs@telusplanet.net Hours are subject to change without notice so please call ahead if you wish to visit.

Writing Season

Autumn is my favourite season. Always has been. Turning leaves, the threat of morning frost looming into reality, and a quiet(er) house for at least a few hours a day.

But I like summer a whole lot too. The smell of cut grass, SPF 60, and fake tan, the sound of sprinklers and radios ringing out under the sun, and of course, hollering at kids to close the damn door and stop filling the house with flies. All these things I love. Here in Calgary at least, it's hard to enjoy any moment of summer without the needling awareness of how soon it's going to end.

Maybe that's why I enjoy Fall -- I can let go of my end-of-summer anxiety. The bandage has been ripped off. I can look forward to wearing sweaters, waving to the littles as they leave on the morning bus, and crisp weather runs that pink up my cheeks for hours. Best of all, I know it'll be a whole year before I have to stand in Wal-Mart again with a passel of other crabby back to school procrastinators, suppressing that primitive call to violence a long cashier line seems to incite in all human beings.

Autumn is good writing time too. I can't write in the summer. Random hand scribbled notes and maybe a bit of editing, but that's it. I read a lot in the summer. This July and August,  I finished nine books. Now that my literary tank is full, a legion of embryonic ideas are mingling, breeding, and brawling in my noggin. Writing is like a burr hole. It relieves the pressure.

At the moment, I'm preparing to drive my offspring to their first day of school, but I've got plans. Oh yes, I do. My tented fingers and creepish grin are likely accompanied by evil intentions as I prepare to sit down and let the stories pour out.

What about you? Is Autumn your writing season?

That's Impossible

For our current theme of That's Impossible

The Naysayer

By Kathy Dueck

This was sent to me in an email in 2009 by an aquaintance:

“I did not want to discourage you from writing or photography and I think you have a gift for both, but I am a firm believer in getting an education before trying to make something a career, and so it was hard to encourage you to try to make money at something you loved but for which you did not have the educational background.”

This suggestion rankled and shortly after receipt of that email, I did some research.  While its’ true there are successful authors that have the appropriate degree(s), many don’t.

Here are just a few examples:

S.E. Hinton wrote her first novel, The Outsiders, when she was in her sophomore year at High School.  Published in 1967, it became the one of the most successful young adult novels in publishing history and has sold over 8 million copies. She subsequently obtained a B.S. degree.  The Outsiders and Rumble Fish were both made into movies. S.E. Hinton continues to write.

Christopher Paolini, the author of the Eragon series, wrote the first book of this series at the age of 15.  Eragon was subsequently adapted into a movie. From wikipedia:

“Eragon was the third-best-selling children's hardback book of 2003, and the second-best-selling paperback of 2005. It placed on the New York Times Best Seller list for 121 weeks.”

William Paul Young, author of The Shack, has an undergrad degree, but in religion.  His book has, as of March 2009, according to http://www.warnerpacific.edu/news.aspx?id=5179

sold over 5 million copies since first being published in May of 2007 and has been translated into many different languages.  There’s talk of a feature film.

J.K. Rowling’s degree was in French, and I’m not terribly sure how useful that was to her as she wrote the Harry Potter series, which sold gazillions of copies and several of the books were made into movies.  She seems to have done alright for herself--it is said she is one of the few millionaire authors.

I wonder how many people told them “that’s impossible”?

Since receipt of the email in 2009, I’ve had a short story published,  two articles published in a magazine, several of my photo cards purchased, worked as a technical writer on a short-term contract, written content for websites, and last week, one of my photographs won a contest in a major newspaper.

The naysayers in our lives would like to tell us “that’s impossible” – the trick is to keep going anyways.

Kathy Dueck is a married writer with two cats from Calgary, Alberta Canada. She's a non-conformist, a burgeoning activist, a recipe developer, a voracious reader, a patron of the arts [which is a fancy way of saying she watches way too many movies and TV shows], a blogger, and a volunteer. She believes that “going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage makes you a car” and likes to think that “if church were a washing machine, I would be the agitator.”

Kathy has two blogs, one is a food and recipe blog www.chronicinthekitchen.com and the other  a "personal" blog  called FibroDAZE http://bignoises.wordpress.com/ where she blogs about life and sometimes about life with chronic illness. She also has a photography blog rkdphotocreations.wordpress.com in its' infancy.

Do you have a short-short story, essay, or poem you'd like to share? Email us at awcswriterscorner@gmail.com

That's Impossible

For our current theme of That's Impossible

A locked room

By Kevin Thornton

They were four in the Stranger’s Room, the only clubroom where talking was allowed. The two brothers, a contrast in physical appearance, were obviously related by the similar steely look on their faces; one lean and aquiline, the other stouter though even more resolved. Opposite them sat a small man dressed in the black of a priest. Alongside, the tall Frenchman called Duroc.

“Alors Monseigneur,” he said to Father Brown. “The conversation drags. Regale us.”

The others said nothing, their quietude implying assent.

“Perhaps then, a locked room mystery,” said the priest, “one that displays an impossibility.

“A Squire has a room at the top of the stairs, solid walled and roofed, one door, no windows. It is where he keeps his gold and he has the only key. It may be accepted that the only mortal access to the room is through this door, off a landing, bare except for a window some forty feet away.

“Every night he is up there. Now he has three nephews who hope to inherit. He treats them abysmally, and it is no surprise they harbour dark thoughts.

 “One night they hear a gunshot.  Ned and Dan run upstairs to find Tom already at the door, struggling. ‘Over there, Dan,’ he says pointing to the key on the window sill. ‘Bring it to me.’ Dan does so and they burst in to find the Squire dead. It looks like suicide, except he is holding the gun in his left hand and he is right-handed.”

 “The Police are called,” the priest continued, “and they determine it a murder. The scientific evidence is such that suicide is precluded.

“How was it done?” he continued. “How did someone get into a sealed room, kill the Squire and escape the nephews?”

“It is an impossible crime,” said the Frenchman.

“There is no such thing,” said the younger Holmes. “One of the nephews is the murderer.”

“What about the key?” asked Mycroft.

“Ned and Dan said that Tom could not have done it from the time they heard the shot until the arrived at the door.”

“Tell us then,” said Duroc as the other two feigned good grace.

“Tom did it,” said the priest. “he had a chance to sneak up behind his uncle and hit him on the side of the head as he was opening the door. It was the left side, which was his undoing as he had to disguise the mark. He left his uncle on the floor, placed the key on the window sill, went back in, shot the Squire through the bruise then walked out the room.

“So how did he lock the door?”

“He didn’t,” said the Priest. “He pretended to unlock a door that was never locked”

“Aha”, said Mycroft, “but you told us it was a locked room mystery. Strictly speaking it was not.”

“That, then, is the impossibility to which I referred, the one none of you suspected from a man of the cloth. I lied.”

Kevin Thornton writes execrable poems, debauched short stories, opinionated newspaper columns and uncirculated novels. A four time Arthur Ellis Nominee and currently a Crime Writers of Canada Regional Vice President, he lives in Fort McMurray where he can be found in the Saturday edition of the local paper, or at http://theoldfortamusingfromtheoilsands.blogspot.com/


Do you have a short-short story, essay, or poem you'd like to share? Email us at awcswriterscorner@gmail.com

That's Impossible

For our current theme of That's Impossible

White flowers

By Neha Sonpar

Why is the house so full of water? Why are all my bras missing? I am in the old Sharma house, living with the in-laws. Black vase with red flowers had month old water in it. Rusty stems were swimming past me. I was worried. I grab the Dettol. Grab the mop. The fire-engines would come soon. I need to call someone. The alarm rang.

The alarm rang. I hear my husband groan. I am in Alberta, Edmonton. Outside the window, two feet of snow.

Two feet of snow. White, pure. Keeping me safe, secure.  The cold mountains and plains were God Shiva’s abode. Dad said, “Go away! Go away from here. They will shred you to pieces here. Go!” Maha Shivratri was here. The celebration of the God of Destruction. Almond-cardamom-poppyseed- rosewater milk had to be made. It would take time. Coconuts to be bought. Also flowers. White flowers. White flowers for Shiva! Every night the same ritual. Her favourite mantra, her mother’s favourite mantra. Maybe her grandmother’s too. Om Namaha Shivaya! He would scoop them up and lay them down to rest. Rest at the foot of the mountain. He would be their protector, protect them as they sleep. From His head, the sacred waters of the Ganges flowed. Why fear? Let the waters flow, flow out of the house. Watch the waters flow slowly out of the house!

Do you have a short-short story, essay, or poem you'd like to share? Email us at awcswriterscorner@gmail.com

That's Impossible

For our current theme of That's Impossible

Imagine That

By Robin van Eck

She races around the house, on hands and knees, barking. She sits, she stays (most of the time), she rolls over and plays dead. Throw a ball for her and she’ll crawl and get it, panting the whole way, then carefully gets the ball into her mouth and brings it back, plopping it beside you and waiting in anticipation for you to throw it again. She’s not a dog, or a cat, or bunny rabbit. She’s my three-year-old daughter.

The first time this happened, I encouraged her. Kept throwing the ball for her to get, pet her, rubbed her belly, scratched behind her ear.

My husband freaked. She’s not a dog. That’s not normal. She’s a girl. Get up off the floor. Stop acting like that. I don’t like it.

Thrown into stunned silence, I tried to comprehend these words coming out of his mouth.

I saw it as an active imagination and in no way was he—or anyone else—going to be allowed to suppress something so precious. As we age, we forget the things that keep us young. The days of imaginative play are gone. We don’t roll in the mud because, OMG, we might get dirty. We don’t climb on the back of the couch and launch ourselves off just to see if we can fly because we might break an arm.

But why can’t we be the Queen of England for the day, or a magician or a witch? Why can’t we have a tea party and invite the Mad Hatter, White Rabbit and Cheshire Cat (or Dora the Explorer and Handy Manny and his talking tools)? Because as adults we would be stuffed into a straightjacket and locked in a padded room. That’s probably why many of us write.

Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” Where would we be if we didn’t have active imaginations? Would airplanes fly? Would we have cars, or electricity or ice cream? Someone dreamed it, imagined it, so we could live it.

We live inside our minds most of the time. We dream with our eyes open. We see things no one else can. Some may call us neurotic or delusional. I call us creative, inspiring.

Today, if she wants to be puppy, I will encourage it. Tomorrow it may be an airplane or a frog or…

A writer.




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