I submitted this chapter as my entry for The Bridport Prize Novel Award 2023. It didn’t make the long list, which was announced on 21st July.
Return to Literature
Chad’s 90th Chapter 1
I submitted this chapter as my entry for The Bridport Prize Novel Award 2023. It didn’t make the long list, which was announced on 21st July.
Return to Literature
The Babbling Pond 
I have enjoyed your Chapter 1 very much. It is very well written – elegant, perceptive and clear. The voice of the author – or should I say narrator – is well established. He is determined to get to the bottom of what happened between Chad and Pete, and keen to describe in detail all the planning that he and Rima are obliged to do. It is as if the first chapter is the story of how to find out about the ultimate, all-important story. Sometimes I did think about Ned “get on with it” – but maybe he is intended to be somewhat obsessional and indecisive – a bit like Hamlet who also has a nasty tale to uncover.
I’m v keen on any writing which operates in this complicated area where fiction and non-fiction merge or meet. So I can now include your effort alongside other favourites which include Proust, Powell, Dyer and Lorna Sage. b/w J.
Jonathan Wells 07342 691768
Rethink Carer Support (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough) phone line 07783 267013
SUN Network enquiries@sunnetwork.org.uk 07712 358172 https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MHK6QN6
LikeLike
That’s high praise to be mentioned in that company, thanks! Interesting comment about the narrator’s frustrating procrastination – that could be even more pronounced in the next couple of chapters, which are the ones I really need to work on, so it could be a while before I feel they are ready to see the light of day.
LikeLike