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English writer and humourist Susan Lillian "Sue" Townsend gifted the world a delicious form of wit and a unique perspective that continues to make readers laugh fondly, even today.
English writer and humourist Susan Lillian “Sue” Townsend gifted the world a delicious form of wit and a unique perspective that continues to make readers laugh fondly, even today.
Each month, we ask our readers to get inspired by an iconic woman writer and get their own thinking caps on. We hope that this inspires you to read more of these writers, and also get your own writing hat on. The 5 best entries on the writing cue get published here.
Step 1. Read the writing cue (mentioned down below) and get inspired.
Step 2. Write your own story/narrative/piece based on the cue. You could use it as the opening line, the closing sentence, or somewhere in between! You could even choose not to use it anywhere in your story – just write a story using the cue as a prompt. (And ‘story’ can be fictional – or not – as you wish).
Step 3. Send your work to us. Please email it to [email protected] with ‘Muse of the month – Oct’ in the subject line, and your story as a word/txt attachment. Do include the name we should use if we publish it, and a brief introduction to yourself (2-3 lines) in the mail.
Please note: Given the number of entries received, we won’t be able to respond to each, but every single entry is being read through very carefully and is much appreciated.
Sharing here the 5 chosen entries, updated each day as they are published.
Maragoo’s World, by Bhavani: Sometimes, the worlds in our heads are way better than reality. Here’s a glimpse into one such world.
The Listener, by Anita Murthy: We’re talking all the time, but are we really listening? Here’s a beautiful glimpse into people and conversations.
But It Did Not End There, by Nikita Jhanglani: Recovering from heartbreak is a roller coaster ride, perhaps with more twists than love itself. This story captures the ride perfectly.
A day, An Eternity, by Prachi Soman : Most of us turn to a higher force for solace, for a patient ear, for a solution. Here’s a look at the receiving end of our prayers and whining!
My Work Will Go On, by Ujwala Shenoy Karmarkar : As long as there are people, the complaining will go on. Here’s why nothing will help those who complain, except their own efforts.
Please send in your stories by October 26th 2014, Sunday, 3 p.m IST. The 5 best stories will be published on Women’s Web the next day on, i.e. one each from October 27th to 31st.
Keep it between 250 and 800 words. (Please keep this in mind; in past editions, we have had to disqualify some good entries purely due to word count issues).
Please avoid typing the story as inline text. Send it as an attachment only.
The 5 best entries will each win a Flipkart voucher worth Rs. 250.
Susan Lillian “Sue” Townsend wore many hats – novelist, playwright, journalist, screenwriter, passionate socialist, and comic writer – but her best known work remains the Adrian Mole diaries, where she saw the world through a teenager’s eyes. She wrote in secret for 20 years while working in varied roles, as a factory worker, a petrol shop assistant, a receptionist, and a youth worker.
Sue’s life was plagued with both hardship and illness, but she went on to create one of the world’s most beloved fictional teenagers in the form of Adrian Mole, who will live on in the hearts of readers for his wit, wisdom, and self-proclaimed intelligence. Her writing combined humour, socio-political commentary, and a perspective of reality that was inimitable. Sue Townsend continues to be remembered as one of the few comic writers whose view of the world was life-affirming, generous, and made readers laugh out loud.
“There’s only one thing more boring than listening to other people’s dreams, and that’s listening to their problems.” – the writing cue for October, from Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13 3/4. Make sure to get your entry in on or before October 26th 2014, Sunday, 3 p.m IST
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Mothers do things for you out of love, so please treat them with respect and dignity at your home, especially in front of your in laws, and ask your in laws to share responsibilities.
Motherhood isn’t just a word. It’s a world in itself…of love, labor and commitment that goes beyond a lifetime, when we don’t really have a concept of flying the nest and mothers are required to be battle ready to shoulder every responsibility at any age.
As a new mom I too had my share of struggles like every woman, and reached out to my mom for help. Sadly, since she had health issues of her own she agreed reluctantly and was uneasy throughout her stay, which disappointed me. Only later did I know that she had suffered from serious menopausal problems that made her edgy and nervous in difficult situations, and it left me with a sense of regret of not taking the effort of understanding her troubles.
Neelu might have outwardly forgiven Ramesh, but in her mind, which once was filled with unconditional love for Ramesh, there was now a seed of resentment.
Ramesh’s footsteps paused at the entrance of the hotel’s ballroom. Inside, his school’s reunion party was going in full swing. The air was heavy, as expensive perfumes and the aroma of food from the buffet table, mingled. There were low murmurs, tinkling laughs and clinks of cutlery.
Ramesh had not wanted to come, knowing that she would be there. She, Neelu, who once had been the love of his life. Taking a deep breath, Ramesh entered the room. His eyes found Neelu almost immediately. She still looked the same. Maybe there was now grey in her hair and a few wrinkles on her face. But her vivacity, her mannerisms were still the same. Things, that had first attracted him.
For the June writing theme, we have inspiration from writer Maya Angelou, who was a shining light to so many. The 5 best entries get published here.
For the June writing theme, we have inspiration from writer and memoirist Maya Angelou, the ‘phenomenal woman’ who was a shining light to so many. Get started with the writing cue: The 5 best entries get published here.
Each month, we ask our readers to get inspired by an iconic woman writer and get their own thinking caps on. We hope that this inspires you to read more of these writers, and also write more yourself!
Step 1. Read the writing cue (scroll down below) and get inspired.
Shashi Deshpande, who writes with great insight and nuance on the changing lives of Indian women and their families, is our muse of the month. Get inspired!
Each month, we ask our readers to get inspired by an iconic woman writer and funnel that into their own writing. The idea is to inspires you to read more of these writers, and also get your own writing hat on! The 5 best entries on the writing cue get published here on Women’s Web.