Wednesday, March 28, 2012

What is a mini saga?

A mini saga is a story told in exactly 50 words (plus a title of up to 15 words), which appeals readers through the use of irony, word puns and unexpected turns. They are alternately known as microstories and ultra-shorts.


The idea was originally made up by writer Brian Aldiss (Norfolk, UK 1925)


Below you have the finalists in the 1st MINI SAGA CONTEST in 2009. Enjoy!

Utter Loneliness by Marta Rodríguez





It was the 31st of December and there were no colleagues to eat out with. No friends to go clubbing with. No family to celebrate the New Year with. In her mobile phone only one contact. Soledad dialled but the network was engaged: she was even too busy for herself.


Noise at Midnight by Ana Sende



He arrived home from work. His wife was already in bed. He fell asleep but woke up after a while: “I’ve told you many times I don’t want the dog to sleep with us” he said. “The dog is outside” she replied sleepily. “Then who is snoring under the bed?”.


The Danger of Humans by Ana Bautís



The little dinasour put herself into bed. She was aching all over. Against her parents’ advice she had gone to the nearest human city. Many times had she been told how dangerous humans were, and how true it was! Humans were a danger to her belly, they were so indigestive!



The Day Had Come by Senda Reguera


He had been waiting for so long for summer to come! After cold months at the boarding school, there he was, facing the sea in all its magnificent splendor. He was about to plunge into the water when he heard a voice: “David, wake up! It’s your first day of school!


To Live or Not To Live by Cristina Fraga



Simon used to have a healthy lifestyle. There were only two habits he was worried about: Smoking and drinking on Saturday.Yesterday, he read a sentence which radically changed his mind: One cigarette makes life two minutes shorter. One whisky… four minutes. One working day makes life eight hours shorter.



Coffee Break by Victor Álvarez


Mr. Smith was furious: His first computer had broken the very first time he used it! He stormed into the shop and complained about it. “Where is exactly the problem?” the assistant politely replied. I tried to place my coffee on the cup holder but it spilled it all over!


Deadly Mushrooms by Cristina Fraga


Uncle John was an expert naturalist. On his way home, after a long day picking mushrooms he met Peter the Brave: "Can I try them?" Peter asked him. "Sure you can, but ONLY ONCE!". Peter tried one indeed but its poison killed it before he could try the second one.


Breathless by Yago González

When his hand surrounded her neck she was trembling. He was so calm
moments ago that she didn’t see where it came from. She just felt how
the air that was in her lungs was leaving her, she couldn’t do anything
about it. He was indeed such a good kisser.

Participate in the EOI Santiago 2nd mini saga contest:
http://novelteaclub.blogspot.com.es/2012/03/2nd-mini-saga-contest.html


2nd MINI SAGA CONTEST



Participate in the second

MINI-SAGA CONTEST

BASES:

- All EOI students of intermediate and advanced levels can participate.

- The RULES are simple: your mini-saga must be 50 words exactly plus a title of up to 15 words and it must tell a story.

- Hand in your mini-saga in Conserxería (SECCIÓNS DE SAR and RIBEIRA) Include a closed envelope with your personal information (alias, full name, group and telephone number). You may also send it via e-mail to this address: alosada@eoisantiago.org

- Deadline: Friday, April 13th.

- There will be a maximum of 10 finalists. You will be able to vote for the winners online here: http://novelteaclub.blogspot.com/

- Winners will be announced on Wednesday, 25th April

Saturday, March 17, 2012

WHAT DO YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTERS LOOK LIKE? THE COMPOSITES SHOWS YOU...



Can you guess who this is? Check it out here. It's a website that creates sketch portraits of literary characters.

"Images created using law enforcement composite sketch software and descriptions of literary characters. All interesting suggestions considered. Include descriptive passages if you can. Read more on the project at The Atlantic.

Created by Brian Joseph Davis. A co-founder of the website Joyland , his work has been collected recently in Against Expression: An anthology of conceptual writing (Northwestern University Press). His music and art productions have been acclaimed by Wired, Pitchfork, Salon, and LA Weekly, which wrote, “Davis has an amazing head for aural experiments that are smart on paper and fascinating in execution.” He’s written for Utne, The Globe and Mail and The Believer."

Personally, I think I'll stick to my own mental portrait of characters... what about you?

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Reading inspires children

Check this out:
An Indigo commercial to promote child literacy


These are the (poetic) lines:
How tired I am of this unbearable distance between us. How I long for the toll of the recess bell. Have you forgotten me? Grown mindless of me? Tell me I am not writing into an abyss. Or that is what will become of my heart.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

BLUEEYEDBOY (2010)

If you are reading Joanne Harris's Blueeyedboy, you must visit this website:

http://joanne-harris.co.uk/v3site/books/blueeyedboy/index.html



You will find an interview to the author about the book as well as links to the audio book and to audio interviews.