Writing project, April 2021

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This month’s word is home, meaning “a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household” or “the place in which one’s domestic affections are centered”.

This is really really late, sorry, so it’s going to be short.

————–

This place was never my home. It’s where I sleep, where I eat, but I don’t live here. This is just the place I exist in.

I don’t think I’ve ever really had a home, a place where I belonged. Just a series of temporary abodes.

Home has always been a theoretical concept for me. Sometimes I think I’m missing out, other times I’m grateful for the freedom. It’s all a matter of perspective, I suppose.

And my perspective has always been odd.

© bardofupton 2021

Reading project, week ending 16 May 2021

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What have I read this week?

Ash & Bramble by Sarah Prineas

This is a fantasy novel about Pin and Shoe, who are trapped in the Godmother’s castle. Their memories have been wiped; all Pin has is a thimble, but she is determined to escape. I really liked this; Pin and Shoe were great characters, and I really enjoyed the story. I’d definitely read more by this author.

Commitment Hour by James Alan Gardner

This is a science fiction novel about Fullin, a young person living in a future Earth where most people emigrated to the stars and those who remained are now slowly clawing themselves out of the resulting mess. Fullin belongs to a group called the Tobers, who change sex every year until they’re 20, when they have to commit to one or the other (or to being both). I really did not like this; it had the potential to be interesting, but the main character was very annoying, and the plot twist was obvious.

Oh My Gods by Alexandra Sheppard

This is a YA novel about Helen, a half-mortal teenage girl who is the daughter of Zeus. I quite liked this; it was a fun read.

© bardofupton 2021

Reading project, week ending 11 Apr 2021

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What have I read this week? Just one.

Loki by Mackenzi Lee

This is a fantasy novel about the Asgardian god Loki. I enjoyed this; it’s an interesting take on Loki’s story, looking at how he became the trickster we know him as. I also really liked the Victorian setting; it made a nice contrast. I’d definitely read more by this author.

© bardofupton 2021

Writing project, March 2021

~ bardofupton ~ 2 Comments

This month’s word is circle, meaning “a closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center”, “to enclose in a circle; surround; encircle” or “to move in a circle or circuit around; rotate or revolve around”.

It’s a bit late, sorry.

————–

I whirl and dance, twist and slide. I move constantly. I must, shark-like, remain in motion. Spirals and circles, I cannot stop.

If I stop, I think. And if I think, I will break.

So I spin and spin, circling the room, dancing to forget, losing myself in motion, seeking mindlessness. I dance and dance, until I drop from exhaustion. Only then can I sleep.

And then I’ll rise tomorrow and dance again, to avoid that of which I cannot bear to think. Perhaps one day I’ll be able to stop, but for now, I must remain in constant motion. It’s the only thing keeping me together.

© bardofupton 2021