Holmes Minor

At Holmes Minor we are always keen to support others who have an interest in Mr Holmes and Dr Watson (please ignore Mrs Hudson who has just muttered something about always happy to have someone else take them off her hands for a bit) and therefore it is with both great pleasure and great sadness that we are encouraging all our members to support the last ever July Writing Prompts over on watsons_woes 

Of course, we prefer that our dear Doctor not suffer too much, and we are relieved that for this month, so long as the Doctor is mentioned, whether actually present or his absence is remarked upon this is sufficient.  We do not want a repeat of the month when the poor Doctor died in various iterations every day.

So, from July 1st do take yourselves over to watsons_woes contribute if you feel able and enjoy the offerings from one and all.

We know how much the members of this community like Dr Watson, so here is an opportunity to share more of him.

The delightful people at watsons_woes will once again be running their July Writing Prompts.  Every day there will be a new prompt to fulfil.  Every day our lovely doctor will feature - either in his presence, or by his noted absence.  And best of all, for this month only, the woe part is not essential.  Dr Watson could spend all month having a lovely time.

Although, before he gets too excited at the idea, I should warn him this may not be the case. 

So do insert a new typewriter ribbon, sharpen your pencil, 'borrow' ink and paper from Jabez Wilson, and join in!  More details can be found here.

While you are waiting for the better weather to permit more opportunities for strolling down the Strand, or indeed trying out one of those new-fangled bicycles, may we recommend a visit to the prompt box of victorian221b  This may give you some ideas as to ways of using your imagination in creating works of fiction with regard to our favourite people who frequent 221B Baker Street. 

And as Mrs Hudson would say, regarding one of her currently rather less favourite person, it is a much more productive exercise than shooting holes in her wall.

So do go and take a look at the Victorian Holmes prompt box.

We know how much our contributors like to write entries which are under 500 words.  At the same time there is the occasion when one might wish to write something a little longer and for it to be written particularly at another's request.  We are therefore delighted to recommend acdholmesfest who are considering such a Fanworks Exchange.

They have asked any who are interested to drop by at Post of Interest and let them know.  At this stage you would be under no obligation to participate, although clearly the more enthusiasm which is shown the more likely it is that this will happen.

In the circumstances, we are willing to repeat our offer, that if you say 'The Ocelot sent me' in their comments you will be entitled to a free advertisement, which I can confirm will be in the Christmas supplement of the Marylebone Monthly Illustrated. 

As the warmer weather is passing away (apart from those in the southern Hemisphere - but as all faithful readers will know this is mostly the sphere of the ne'er-do-wells sent there to avoid embarrassment to their families - assuming, of course, their ship hasn't sunk en route) it is time to start exercising our creative muscles once again.

Our good friends over at watsons_woes are thinking about an October Spooktacular.  Do go and support them here.

And some other good friends holmestice have just published their schedule for the Winter Solstice event.  Details here.

So there will plenty to occupy you as the nights draw in, the fires are lit, and the oil lamps drip on your bowler hat.

 It has come to our attention that watsons_woes are requesting prompts for their July Writing Prompts spectacular.  So if you haven't already done so, may we encourage you to go there with all haste and make a contribution.

There is also a request for items of artwork such as banners and icons, for which further details can be found here.  

We all love the good Doctor and this is one opportunity to show him how much.  Although he does request that there aren't too many prompts in which he ends up injured as he'd quite like to enjoy the month.

I realise that this is still some months away, but once more we have been approached by our good friends over at holmestice to ask if they could avail themselves of the notifications in this delightful corner of the world (well, it was delightful until Mr Holmes indulged in another three pipe problem and will be again now Dr Watson has opened the window.

There is an exchange running, in which anyone with an interest in any member of the Holmesian family, in any iteration - of which there are a vast number - is encouraged to write, draw, create motion pictures, etc for another member of that family and receive a gift in return. 

If you are interested (and I am sure many of our members will be) then please head over to Holmestice Winter 2018 Sign-Ups for further details and to complete the application process (by which I mean Sign Up).

We understand many of our readers are starting to take things a bit easier with the warmer weather and the approaching holidays (apart from our cousins in the Southern Hemisphere) but it is not yet the time yet to put down the pen, or the artist's brush.

For watsons_woes July Writing Prompts will be beginning in less than two weeks' time.  Every day there will be a prompt for you to write, or draw, a little something.  Not much, for there is only 24 hours before the next prompt will arrive.  There will be some who contribute every day, some who join in when they can spare the time from pursuing criminals, treating patients, or berating their tenants, and some who simply come to read and cheer.  All are welcome, the only requirement is a mention of Dr Watson in whatever is produced - which you will admit is not a hardship.

For further information please see here - we look forward to seeing you all.

Whilst we are delighted to see contributions by our members here, we are aware that sometimes you are looking for a different challenge.

So therefore we would encourage those of you who are interested in writing a little more about our favourite characters to perhaps sign up for the Holmestice Summer Exchange, where the minimum requirement is 1,000 words.  There you will find there are other versions of our beloved characters, but there is no obligation to become better acquainted with them.

Plus for anyone who has a particular soft spot for Dr Watson, there is talk of the possibility of a Merry Month of May Drabble Fest, which I am sure will be most entertaining.  And of course, watsons_woes  will also be hosting the July Writing Prompts challenge and would welcome prompt suggestions.