Thames Valley Writer's Circle Homework

Regularly throughout the year, members are set "optional homework", which is exactly what it says.

Members may choose to take part or not. The subject and the impetus will vary - it may be a set of words, a photograph, a topic or other prescribed method. It is hoped that this will encourage members to use their writing skills to fashion a story, poem or article about the homework chosen and thereby improve their writing techniques.

There are competitions for the homework, which members may choose to enter (see Competitions). Competition entries are judged either by an expert, or by members votes.

Many entries have gone on to be successful in other competitions (see Successes).

Optional homework for Tuesday, 18th January 2011:

Write a school story and include the following words (stories up to 1500 words, poems up to 40 lines.) :

Hockey stick / Chemistry / detention / report
injury / piano / gifted / head boy

The winner was Les Williams – see Dick’s write-up

Optional homework for Tuesday, 28th September 2010:

Knickers!

A competition to compose a short story (maximum of 1200 words) or a poem (maximum of 40 lines) inspired by this scene – to be read on Tuesday 28^th September. (The picture is part of a series of azulejos in the refectory of the Jeronimos Monastery in Lisbon.)

And the winner was Les II with Joyce second and Gerry third.

Optional homework for Tuesday, 20th July 2010:

A competition to compose a short story (maximum of 1200 words) or a poem (maximum of 40 lines) containing the following eight words:

sea, banknotes, car, glass, eyes, light, star, stone

First prize went to Les 2 with “When Letters Danced”

The scores were tied for second and third – but to avoid a penalty shoot-out, Joyce, who had more 1^st votes, was awarded second place with “Honey Trap”, and Neil was third with “Caught”

Optional homework for Tuesday, 15th June 2010:

Time’s Up

Here’s a theme to think about – something that might give us an idea. Suppose we try to write about time? Time past, present time or what’s going to happen in the time ahead.

Time of day, time to get up, time to put the cat out. Time to put the clocks forward. Time to put your feet up. Time for the next lot of pain killers or simply “doing” time in one of H.M. prisons. We can even do it in time to music.

Write a bit about time – a poem, a story, or just thoughts – maybe a conversation - see how many times we can use the word in a short piece of writing. No rush, we can take our time.

It doesn’t have to be long – just what we feel comfortable with. In time, we may go beyond a haiku and end up with a time and motion study…

Optional homework for Tuesday, 16th February 2010:

Who are the people in the sledge?

Is it the past or the future?

Write an account in up to 1,200 words, [story or play] or a poem of up to 40 lines.

To be read on Tuesday, 16th February.

…and the winner was…

Les Cooper with “The naughty wife of Reading”

Optional homework for Tuesday, 8th September 2009:

Make up a story [up to 1200 words] or poem [up to 40 lines] and include the following eight words:

Horoscope dictionary

Roses gate

Cheese guitar

Umbrella shoes

…and the winners were:

Joyce, Neil and Nick T who all received equal votes! Click here to read Joyce’s story.

Optional homework for Tuesday, 2nd December 2008:

Below are the only two postcards left in the shop.

Choose one of them and write a message about your visit to this place to three different people – e.g. Auntie Gwen or your great mate, Sam…

Two or three sentences for each message.

and the winners were…..

first: Neil…

second: Mary…

third (equal): Barbara and Les.