Tuesday 14 June 2011

A Youthful Dark Tale

Bloggie friends!

Did you know this week is National Crime Writing Week?!!? Oh yes it is! In the UK anyway!

Here is a link to 16 year old Claudia Hynde’s winning short story in the Young Crime Writer’s Competition! It’s suitably dark and a really good story too! Yay for her!

I only mention this because she’s young, she’s obviously creative and talented and she uses her local library – she had to, to know of the competition! So double yay for her!

I am using her triumph as my response to the current hullabaloo whipped up by a certain article about how kids can’t handle dark stuff in books. Theresa Milstein has a great post about it and all the links too.

Speaking of naughtiness!! My little bar of Thornton’s Dark Chocolate has the words “Unwrap me, eat me, love me” across the packet. I say, amen!

Charlie says: I bask in the light.



Peace and love to all!

30 comments:

m.q said...

Charlie had a great sunbathe!!!

jennifer,
are u a writer or novelist?

Tracy said...

ANY bar of DARK chocolate has that same sentiment on it for me! LOVE dark chocolate and I can't resist which is why there is NONE in my house!
:) eat away...

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

Is that anything like the cake in Alice In Wonderland saying "Eat Me?" MOL!!

I think Charlie "sees the light!"

Peace and love to you and Charlie too! xoxo

Jemi Fraser said...

ALL chocolate should have those words on the wrapper!!

Yay for Claudia for sure! Love hearing of talented young authors :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It's only naughty if you don't share!

Claudia Zurc said...

WOW! Well done, Claudia Hynde! "A cushion out of place" did what a great story is supposed to do: Hook the reader. I wanted to know more, it piqued my curiosity. Isn't it great to see young talent succeed? Thank you, Jennifer for sharing Claudia's story.

Summer Ross said...

Charlie looks like he is all sorts of relaxing.

The Chair Speaks said...

Oooo Charlie, you certainly do enjoy worshiping the sun! :)

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

And that is what good chocolate does!

Hello handsome Charlie!

Purrs
Abby

Mr Puddy said...

Young people always have a lots of good idea and creative....Like me !..heh..heh..Create More Headache for mommy..Never the same thing : )

Brigid O'Connor said...

Good for the young talent, so lovely to think there are kids out there being creative and using libraries. Theresa's post was enlightening, as usual, someone give that lady a column in a newspaper. Michelle Obama would love her approach to teaching.

D. U. Okonkwo said...

LOL - I like Thorntons - what a funny thing for them to put on the wrapper!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

oh, I'd love to share in your dark chocolate naughtiness. YUM

MorningAJ said...

I love crime stories but I can't write them. I just don't have a devious enough mind I guess.

Brian's Home Blog said...

Hey, I can't have chocolate, so I would appreciate it if you would have about 20 bites for me!

Hannah and Lucy said...

Have just been over and read Claudia Hynde's story - she's certainly a talented young writer.
Charlie don't forget your high factor sun lotion we don't want you to get a red nose and ears.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx

The Monkeys said...

Congratulations to Claudia!

We hope your Mum enjoys her very loving chocolate and you enjoy those sunbeams, Charlie!

Marg said...

Those sound like some great things to read. So why had the chocolate lasted as long as it has so far.
Charlie, you are looking fantastic. Glad you are lounging around. Take care.

Theresa Milstein said...

A 16-year-old talented writer using a library? YaY! I'm on my way.

Thanks for sharing my post.

That's one of my favorite pictures of Charlie. Such a cute profile!

Theresa Milstein said...

I just read the story. It gave me the chills!

KarenMcG said...

Old Kitty, step very far away from the dark chocolate! But then, not for long. You deserve a treat today.

Good for the young lady who wrote the winning story.

And how is yours coming along?

Charlie looks just so handsome all laid out like that!

Margo Berendsen said...

Unwrap me, eat me, love me!

That is so perfect!

But onto more serious stuff, loved Theresa's post and I think that is awaeome that a 16 year old one the contest! Thanks for sharing - I shall certainly check it out.

Bossy Betty said...

Pass the chocolate and the sunlight too!

notesfromnadir said...

Well happy National Crime Writing Week!

Will have to check it out. I think a natural born storyteller will write what they want to & it doesn't matter if it's dark, light or gray.

Yes, chocolate bars can sometimes scream your name out loud! Happened to me recently!

I Charlie, glad it's still sunny! :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

YIKES! I read Claudia's story and it is very well written and more than a little creepy! I can see why she was the winner!

I read Theresa's thoughtful post and her links. I admit to having mixed feelings about dark YA literature. Call me old fashioned, but I feel children should remain innocent as long as possible. Media exposes them to too much of the world's dysfunction too soon as it is. Is there no safe haven for a child anymore to be a child?

Talli Roland said...

Have you noticed it's actually sunny today? And hot? I hope summer has finally returned - Charlie should bask while he can!

Happy Crime Writing Week!

wildcatwoods said...

That is great to see young folks getting creative! Mom used to love all the dark stories when she was younger.

Anonymous said...

I like the sound of that short story, blog post and Mmmm that Thornton's dark chocolate. A real blog post to savour while Charlie basks in the sun, though apparently not for long as rain is on its way again :O)

Golden Eagle said...

There's a National Crime Writing Week? I love the sound of that! :D

Thanks for the link to the short story. I will have to read it.

Ann Dziemianowicz said...

I love chocolate that speaks to you like that! :)

Charlie is always lookin' good!