Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Looking for local writing friends

Quicksilver_Wolf — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:07:38 +0000

Hi all! So, I realised this year that I have... almost no writer friends, save about... two people (used to have a third, but they disappeared off the face of the internet). I think I need some more now. I have so very few people to actually talk writing with... so if anyone reads my profile and would like to befriend me, that would be fantastic! Or heck, even if you don't, but want to anyway.
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Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

One Week In...

Jordan_Lee — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:21:34 +0000

Hello everyone,

Week one of our beloved NaNoWriMo is now in it's final countdown and I just thought that I would come by and see how everyone feels they are doing after almost seven days of hardcore novelling.

So far we have had three write ins (Brisbane Central; Brisbane South and Sunshine Coast) with another one (Gold Coast) going on even as we speak. I really hope that those of you who attended write ins found them to be at least somewhat productive and if you haven't had the chance to attend one yet, never fear, there are still many more to come. The first being tomorrow 8th of November at The Coffee Club Milton from 11am.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to back up their novels off site or though their email addresses as often as possible. You never know when a computer glitch will jump out from behind a stack of magazines and deliever a death blow to potential best sellers.

Finally, I have checked the Word Count score board for all regions and Brisbane is coming 48th, which at this stage of the game is better than we finished overall last year. However we are being lead by Melbourne (14th position), New Zealand (23rd position) and Sydney (26th position) so don't forget to update that word count religiously and hopefully we can jump up a few positions.

Now, I will stop waffling on and let you all give us an update on your progress.

Happy Novelling,
Rach

PS. Don't forget that you can also donate to NaNoWriMo through your MLs at Write Ins and the TGIO party.
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Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Word association game

Kess — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:33:52 +0000

I can't believe we don't have one of these up yet! Time to get those word skills going, wrimos. Here's a little game to get our fingers flexed and ready for the novelling.

Rules are simple: put down a new word associated with the last one posted, and don't repeat any previous words!

Here's the first word to get us started:

Electric

Enjoy!
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~Mel
ML for Brisbane, Australia
Captain of the Purple Ninja Nightowls (of Death)
2007 - Queen of Diamonds
2008 - Shuriken
2009 - The Apocalypse Blog - the final installment

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

WRITE-IN UPDATE

Kess — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:53:17 +0000

Just a quick note to let everyone know that there has been some shuffling on the write-in front. The Google calendar at the top of the forums has been updated, so check that and make sure you have the right dates for everything.

Summary of changes:

Some of the central Coffee Club Milton write-ins have shifted dates.

Write-in at Wellington Point added.

Couple of write-ins at Morningside added.

I'll be sending out the weekly event updates by email to everyone, so keep an eye on the emails for the latest dates, times and locations!

Any questions, let me know!
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~Mel
ML for Brisbane, Australia
Captain of the Purple Ninja Nightowls (of Death)
2007 - Queen of Diamonds
2008 - Shuriken
2009 - The Apocalypse Blog - the final installment

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Write-ins - central

Kess — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:01:49 +0000

Hello everyone!

November is about to start. Our fingers are twitching towards empty pages, and we're all hoping that our minds are not equally blank when the 1st finally rolls around.

Never fear! You can come and write with the rest of us crazy, over-caffeinated, page-battling wrimos. Exchange commiserations, encouragement, and ideas, or just chat. Indulge in word wars or just kick back in good company for a while.

We have a full calendar of events this month! Our first write-in is tomorrow, on the fearful 1st November.

Time: 11:30am -> 9pm
Where: Coffee Club, Park Road, Milton
Bring: money for drink/food, powerboard (if possible)

Hope to see you all there!
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~Mel
ML for Brisbane, Australia
Captain of the Purple Ninja Nightowls (of Death)
2007 - Queen of Diamonds
2008 - Shuriken
2009 - The Apocalypse Blog - the final installment

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Games night anyone?

Dani_Jackson — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:25:04 +0000

Greetings fellow nano-ers! Lady V and I were chatting at the KOP and came upon a fantastic idea.

Let's have a games night! Board games, improvisational games, games that we make up on the spot just because they sound like fun, the possibilities are endless. And if you're like me, later this month you'll feel the need for a bit of stress-relieving distractions.

For this to work, we need to figure out a few things. One, who's interested? Two, any ideas on where we can hold said games night? I would happily offer my place but unfortunately it can hold a maximum of 10 people. Once we find a place we can start worrying about the time.

Let the games begin!
-Dani
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, totally worn out and screaming,'WOO HOO what a ride!'"

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Anyone else hate their novels?

honeyelle — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:12:03 +0000

So, I've been putting off starting Nano until today - I had an exam this morning.

When I came to it, I can't STAND my idea. There's no plan, it needs more something; basically my writing needs to suck less. Therefore, I have a new idea. And I'm writing blind. YAY! Or not.

Anyone else feeling like this?
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ML-in-disguise! (No, really.)

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

The 'I hit 50k' thread!

Kess — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:50:59 +0000

I know, I know. I haven't made it yet. I'm a long stretch off. I'm working on it!

But I know there are some of you out there who have done the 50k already. I know there are others who are edging up to the mark, just a finger-flurry away, and will be there very soon.

Why aren't you shouting about it, huh?

Well, here's your chance. Tell us! Put your hand up and show us how awesome you are! Do a little dance!

Okay, we won't be able to see you dancing, but you get the idea. ;) Post when you hit 50k! We want to hear about it!
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~Mel
ML for Brisbane, Australia
Captain of the Purple Ninja Nightowls (of Death)
2007 - Queen of Diamonds
2008 - Shuriken
2009 - The Apocalypse Blog - the final installment

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Coffee Club Bill

eltimbalino — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:59:19 +0000

Hi all,

I had a heap of fun writing with you lot who came to the Coffee Club today. And it was great to see some people were so focused on their writing that they even missed items off their bill. So just in-case you find time to read this post, here is what was still outstanding when I left. (They were kind enough to let this ride until we are back again under the name of Nanowrimo) and for my part, I found their service, support and attitude excellent.

1 Long Black Mug $4.70
1 Choc Shake $5.90
1 Flat White Mug $5.00
1 Large Cappuccino 2 Sugar $4.00

If you own any of these can you please claim it by replying to this post so we know when they are all covered.

If you won't be at the Write-In next Sunday, please let me know in your reply and I will fix it up for you.

Thanks,

Tim.
p.s. A photo of the Write-In is up on flikr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/eltimbalino/

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Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Gold Coast Write In

JWTam — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:52:17 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I'm just letting you all know that Jordan Lee and I are planning to run a write in on the Gold Coast on the 7th of November. So if you're in Northern NSW or on the Coast, here's your chance for a local(ish) write in. Post below if you're interested. At this stage location is still TBA. If you have any suggestions post them below, just keep in mind we will need power for laptops.

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ML for Brisbane, Australia
2008 - Star Seeker - Winner
2009 - Tri-Blood

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Sunshine Coast Write-in!

Belmakor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:21:20 +0000

I enjoyed hosting a write-in last year at my place in Brisbane, so I'm crazy enough to do it again, this time at my new place on the Sunshine Coast!

When:

Friday 6th November, 7:30pm - late

I chose 7:30pm start due to kids'n'family stuff.

Address:

5 Creekside Drive, Sippy Downs.

There is a bus stop just a minute's walk away on Bellflower Street, but I don't know the bus times at all. Otherwise there is some on-street parking available - sorry my driveway isn't available yet because we've got a container there with some of our stuff yet unpacked!

Bring:

Drinks/snacks and your favourite writing tools of choice!

I have lots of power boards for laptops. If needs be for those who don't manage dinner before they come, there is an Eagle Boys pizza not far from here at the Chancellor Park shopping village.

Could you please RSVP so I can know approximately how many people may turn up. Everyone is welcome, of course. Would love to see you here! If you need to get in contact with me (due to getting lost or whatever) you can get me on my mobile on 0406 165 085.

Belmakor (aka Gabriel)
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Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Young Writer's Program

Mujubius — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:39:54 +0000

Hey folks,

I'm running a Young Writer's Program group at the school I teach at. I was just curious if anyone else is doing a similar thing, or has a YWP happening at their school (for the under 18's amongst us)?

It's been great watching the students get behind the program, and they've already started putting my word count to shame (not hard when it's still sitting on a big fat zero...).

Hope everyone's work is going swimmingly!
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"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Northside Write In -- Nundah

JWTam — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:01:42 +0000

Hello!

We've decided to be a bit dispersed in our writein's this year so it's time for a northside one. This one is at my place, it's small but cosy. So come along on Tuesday 10th from 4pm-9pm.

Address: Unit 3, 10 Surrey St, Nundah 4012. You will need to buzz the door. My apartement is directly above the garages so just come on up. I'm the one with the 'welcome' windchime on the gate.
It's about 5min walk from Nundah train station and even closer to Sandgate road if you're taking a bus. There is also lots of on street parking.
Bring: drinks/snacks, money for dinner (there are a few options) and a powerboard/strip plug (if possible)

If anyone needs directions, send me a message. I will warn you now, it's not the largest of apartments, so I will have to cap the number at twelve (beyond that the chairs and couches run out). So if you want to come please RSVP. I look forward to seeing you there!
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ML for Brisbane, Australia
2008 - Star Seeker - Winner
2009 - Tri-Blood

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Southside Write-in - Morningside

Kess — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 07:10:10 +0000

Hello everyone!

Our southside write-in went well last year, so we're holding another one this year. This time it's at my house, out the back where we can both plug in and relax in style (weather-permitting).

On: Wednesday 4th November, 12:30pm - 10pm
Address: 15 Mornington Crescent, Morningside, 4170
5-10 minute walk from Morningside train station (Cleveland line).
Plenty of parking outside and in front of the park beside the house.
Bring: drinks/snacks, money for pizza (dinner), powerboard/strip plug (if possible)

If anyone needs directions, drop me a line. Everyone's welcome, so feel free to drop by anytime between those times on Wednesday. We'll be doing a mass pizza-order for dinner, so please bring enough for that!

Please RSVP so I can gauge numbers. Looking forward to seeing you guys there!
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~Mel
ML for Brisbane, Australia
Captain of the Purple Ninja Nightowls (of Death)
2007 - Queen of Diamonds
2008 - Shuriken
2009 - The Apocalypse Blog - the final installment

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Photo Links for Nanowrimo Brisbane events etc

eltimbalino — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:07:31 +0000

This thread is to post links to photos taken at Brisbane NanoWrimo events. That way those of you who missed out can visit by proxy. If you ever want me to take down any photos, just let me know. Tim.
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Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

KOP Group

oddddeok — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:57:07 +0000

I'd really like to be writing buddies with the people who were in my group at the Kick Off Party but I didn't have time to get their names.

If you'd like to be buddies, please add me, I feel lonley!

I was in the pink group with the shared consiousness novel without a name.

Michelle
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the denuratol consciousness (2009)

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Muse-ic

cynikles — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:02:21 +0000

Well, I dare say most of us are helped in the creative process by music. If nothing else it helps us go that little extra bit further.

In the tradition of previous year, I was wondering what artists and/or songs get you in the writing mood?

Note this. If 'Muse' is mentioned, not only are you incredibly cliched, you are thus in league with Stephanie Meyer and as such, shall receive a boot to the head (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFldBVWFgWo). :P

I seem to rely on a bit of Bad Religion and The Butterfly Effect to help me through. Nightwish in the past has inspired me a little bit too. ACIDMAN of the Japanese ilk has helped processes slightly as well.

How about everyone else?
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Deconstructing life one pointless piece at a time.

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

#brisnano

Aikanaro — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:27:43 +0000

Any chance we can get some IRC going here? I'm much more interested in word warring with the good people of Brisbane than the people I don't know at all in the main channel, but the MSN address exchange from years past seems to not yield much there.

So, I'm sitting in an empty channel on irc.goodchatting.com called #brisnano - anyone care to join me?

For anyone who doesn't know how to connect, see http://www.new2chat.com/ircchat.html
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Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Pancake Manor Lock-down?

kmcmillan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:32:22 +0000

Ok. So Pancake Manor in the city is open 24/7. Public transport doesn't run 24/7, as much as some of us may want it to. I'm finding it hard to sit and write for long enough to be productive. The idea of sitting in Pancake Manor from 10pm until 5-6am in a caffeine&nacho/pancake/crepe-fuelled attempt to bump up my wordcount up is growing more attractive (provided we can organise something with the electricity unless we want to pay tribute to our ancient predecessors.)
Would anyone be interested?
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Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Sunshine Coast

Belmakor — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:52:58 +0000

Calling all Sunshine Coast residents... would love to know if you're around! I'll be moving into the region either late this month or sometime during NaNo itself. Since Brisbane will then be too far to go for write-ins, etc, let's see if we can get a critical mass together to do some stuff on the Coast!
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Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Research - Listverse

Lady V — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:06:19 +0000

Although this site is highly addictive, it is also an excellent means of research.
The site consists of lists, usually 1-10, although not always. Lists are arranged into categories, suich as Crime, Entertainment, Food, Health, etc.
I am currently reading through the Crime lists, and found a few that might be helpful to people,

* Top 10 Interesting Jack The Ripper Suspects
* 10 Lesser Known Serial Killers
* Top 10 Amazing Execution Survival Stories
* Top 10 Amazing Prison Escapes
* Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives
* 7 Terrible Abuses Suffered By Women Around The World
* Top 10 Evil Human Experiments
* Another 10 Evil Women
* Top 10 Evil Children
* 25 Methods for Killing With Your Bare Hands
* Top 10 Partners in Crime
* The 10 Most Famous Successful Assassinations
* Top 10 Drugs and their Effects
* Top 10 Modern Methods of Execution
* Top 10 Unsolved Murders
* Top 10 Stupidest Thieves
* Top 10 Infamous Pirates
* Top 10 Famous Con Men
* Top 10 Assassins
* Top 10 Evil Serial Killers
* Top 10 Tips to Commit the Perfect Crime
* Top 10 Prison Survival Tips

www.listverse.com/lists
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... As fortold by prophesy.

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Mascot

JWTam — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:52:30 +0000

Hello,

I know some of you were hoping for the old NanoRhino back this year however it's migrated to Canberra with Peter. The new ML team this year put our heads together and thought why don't we have a new mascot? Since we live in Australia we thought we'd make it a native one. We came up with:

NanoDingo
NanoNumbat
NanoWombat
NanoEmu
NanoRooMo

If you think of any other native mascot's put them down, otherwise reply to this thread to vote for this year's mascot.

~The ML Team
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ML for Brisbane, Australia
2008 - Star Seeker - Winner
2009 - Tri-Blood

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Costume Competition Results!

Kess — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:42:16 +0000

As part of the KOP this year, we had a costume competition. Here are the results - congratulations to our winners!

1st - Lady_V as Alice
2nd - Ghost-Ammonet as Punk
3rd - Dani_Jackson as the Mad Scientist and ellaluna as the Black Widow

Many thanks to everyone who took part. If anyone has photos (I know you are out there!), link 'em here for everyone to enjoy!

Also, thanks to the Coffee Club at Milton and the American Bookstore for supplying the awesome prizes for the competition.
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~Mel
ML for Brisbane, Australia
Captain of the Purple Ninja Nightowls (of Death)
2007 - Queen of Diamonds
2008 - Shuriken
2009 - The Apocalypse Blog - the final installment

Australia & New Zealand :: Brisbane

Want to post your first days worth of writing?

Wocket — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:47:52 +0000

Ok, so mines not the best prose, I haven't written a single bit of fiction for about 2 years now. Nano is kinda my baptism of fire. If you do post/read things here everyone please keep copyright privillages in mind.
Here's what I have...

At first it looked like a bundle of silks, washed up into the tide pool and his heart quickened. Damp sand crunched underfoot and a fresh gust drew cold fingers through his hair as he bent to inspect it. Kelp wrapped it, small crabs scuttling across the surface, waving at each other, their tiny pincers signaling mine, mine. They scattered as he came closer. He frowned. A wave gently lapped at the fine cloth, dislodging some of the sea greens and his heart sank. It was just another body.
Ezekiel brushed a strand of hair from the dead woman’s face. She hadn’t been in the sea for very long. Her skin was white, like her silken dressing gown, her blue lips matched the waving claws of the crabs. She could be dressed fancy for all hallows eve if you ignored her eyes. They could not seem him, or the beach, like someone had spilt milk on them, open against the sand and unblinking sun. Ezekiel sighed and stood up, stretching his back. He’d looked at her long enough. A few business like movements had the body divested of it’s valuable silk gown and undergarments. There was nothing attractive about the naked body, pale, discolored, bloating. At least he tried not to see it as a person any more; Just a piece of flotsam and jetsam now.
It was tempting to walk it out to sea, to let it have her back. but that just wouldn’t do if the body washed up again and the boys came across it, or perhaps Margaret or Anna as they combed the beach for washed up trinkets and treasures. He let the body alone while he rinsed the sand from the clothes in the tide pool. The cloth making elegant swirls in the water, mirroring the clouds above. Silk was always beautiful when immersed, like it belonged under water, that it was some how made less by being in the air. He hauled it out and fanned it out on the grey rocks to dry. Water darkened the boulder, imbuing the grey salt encrusted rock with a negative halo. He wondered how it was made, what sort of plant it came from. A sea weed perhaps? A flax grass?
Keeping these thoughts running through his head he hauled the body over a shoulder and walked up the dunes, doing his best to keep his mind busy. It was not the first body, nor the last, that was for sure, but he could never quite be at peace with himself if he thought properly about what it was he was doing. He would not think about it as a her any more. It was a thing. A thing. He dug a hole in the sand with his hands, each stroke revealing layers of colour, white, black, white, brown, white. Everything had beauty in it, if you paused to look, and everything a mystery. The patterns in the sand held his mind, pushing the thought of what and why he dug for the corner of his thoughts. Each layer of black was the debris from a great storm, the type that swept up every twenty or more years and here he was undoing the seas hard work with each handful, disturbing it’s careful patterning of endless time in a moment, yet he was also doing it’s work, burying it’s unwanted offering on land, keeping the waves unsullied.
No, that was too morbid a line of thought. He cast around looking for another thing to occupy his mind, keeping the body from his sight and awareness. Another gust of wind ran like fingers though his hair and he latched onto it, wondering where it had come from. Did it travel from distant lands, starting as a tiny breeze? Perhaps it began as a housewife’s sweeping dust from a doorstep, or a child running past a field of grain at speed? He placed the body into the hole and began to shift the sand back, wishing that he could arrange it back as he had found it, with each stratification back in its place. Where there had been a swirl of black and white sand there was now a jarring grey. It seemed to muddy the white of the dune, it cast a shadow where there was nothing but sunlight. Perhaps it was the event of the storm and the wreak that caused the shadow to appear? There was no way of ever putting them back. Although he could not see it he knew there was another patch just like this a little further up the beach, he avoided that spot. Perhaps he would begin to avoid this one, walk around it with carefully measure steps.
He walked back to the silk, dry and stiff with salt. It crackled when he folded it and placed it in his pack then moved on to the tide pools, bending to collect handfuls of red dulce weed freshly torn from it’s inaccessible beds past the breakers. A few tiny crabs scuttled from the weed as he lifted and shook it, they dived back to the water and safety. A few other things hid amongst the weed, a small bit of rope, a plank of half rotted wood covered in barnacle and, for a moment his heart seemed to stop, a tiny arm, that of a babes limb but on closer inspection appeared to be the arm of a doll, a strand of discolored muslin still attached to the upper arm. Where the two connected? Had the woman a child. Or was it from some other wreak? To many questions.
It was enough, his heart had had all it could take of surprises and shock. He tucked the tiny porcelain arm into his bag and drew the strings. No more surprises to day. Tomorrow he would come again and search, perhaps. For now he would go home, cook up some breakfast and then help John repair his nets. Anna might need an eye kept on Henry for awhile. Nothing could take Ezekiel’s mind off morbid thoughts brought about the more disturbing gleanings of this morning. It was better to entertain an ever active and curious three year olds mind than his salt encrusted one.
**
“Zeek, Zeek, I found something!” Henry rushed down the path like a small whirlwind, cheeks red with the wind and excitement of his find. Ezekiel dropped his bag to lift the boy up and greet him, nose to nose as was their habit. Henry giggled and flung his warm arms around Ezekiel’s neck.
“What did you find?” he asked with a grin.
“No” said Henry momentarily serious, shaking his head. “You have to guess.”
Ezekiel appeared to think, momentarily just as serious.
“hm. A cockcle, as big as your head?”
Henry laughed, shook his head again and squirmed out of his grip. He hauled up the bag of findings and handed it back to Ezekiel, who hefted it casually over his shoulder.
“A fish in the shape of a dog?” he asked, again mock serious.
“No,” said Henry growing impatient, “Come and see!” he took Ezekiel’s free hand and pulled him towards his parents home. For a moment Ezekiel played at being reluctant to go but let Henry drag him inextrolliably towards the tiny stone cottage.
“is it a purple and red octopus?” asked Ezekiel, playfully. Henry shook his head and pulled harder. “A shiny metal button? A cowry shell? ” Henry smiled and shook his head at each guess. The last time they had played this game he had found a tiny rusted music box encrusted with barnacles and the remains of an officers shoe. Ezekiel improvised wildly, caught up for a moment in the three year olds excitement.
“A warrior’s sword? A set of armor? An entire library? A mermaid?” The last drew a curious response from Henry, who smirked and would say no more but merely shook his head and dragged him finally to the open door.
Anne bustled about by the hearth, building up the fire in the already stifling room. Curtains had been drawn across the tiny windows against the morning light so that the only illumination was the roaring fire. It took a moment for Ezekiel’s eyes to adjust from the crisp morning sun to this cavern of a hut.
“Mamma, I found Zeek! He guessed it was a mermaid!”
Anna gave Henry a fleeting smile and brushed a hand over his head, eyes on the pile of blanckes in the corner.
“Good boy, now go and get Margaret, like I told you.”
Henry nodded and rushed out the door again. Anna turned back to the fire, deftly placing a kettle above the flames and raking coals into the cast iron bed warmer.

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There are two types of people in the world, and I'm not one of them.