INTERACTION

"Edward's Last Birthday" by Thomas was driven by suggestion, with the 'real' story to be inferred from what takes place in the narrative. It intrigued me, but felt very much like part of some larger piece.

An elegaic feel to Willie's "The Yule Log", sadness wafting through the story. Is there a ghost or not? As the story suggests, that doesn't matter compared to the comfort the character derives from his ritual. Loved it.

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More sad stuff from Patrick Samphire with "Five Things of Beauty", but wonderfully written, an almost fable like quality to the prose. Love sacrificed on the altar of a perverted idealism.

Stephanie Burgis' "Iota Draconis" was an elegant tale of self-sacrifice, that put me in mind of the myth of Andromeda.

And going back a way, Bob's "The Hundred Year Climax" was reminiscent of the kind of thing William Tenn did so well. Some lovely touches of humour and a neat twist at the end.

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Nice set up to "The Motive" by Stephen Bacon, and then a grisly twist at the end. I found the line 'I had a little fun with him afterwards' and accompanying giggle especially effective.

"Paper Angel" confirms my impression that Ali is a scary young lady.

I loved Daniel Kaysen's "Market Street", with opening images that bring to mind Bradbury's story "The Cement Mixer" and hint at the demystification of the marvellous.

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Ok I need to catch up on my thoughts of the stories in the Advent Calendar and so far I've read these:

'Twas The Watch Before Christmas by Morag. It's nice to read a poem again for a change and this one was fun. The character in it reminded me of Picard's nemesis - Q, but I think Q would have been a lot more evil and left something a touch more nastier than beer as his present

Phew... Edward's last birthday by Thomas is both a creepy story and a very sad one too which resonated personally with me.

William's The Yule Log was yet another story that set goosebumps but eventually drew a sadness out of the tale that makes the reader realise how Christmas cannot always be a fun time for everyone.

Pete's THE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF OBSERVATION managed to lift my spirits again and drew a wry smile from me and made me wonder how the world would have faired if the ship had crashed into the stable instead of becoming the star. I think there'd have been fewer wars for a start and as Pete said in a reply to my remark, 'Yeah, but we wouldn’t get given new socks and smellies every year.' <Probably a more important outcome...

Stephanie's Iota Draconis was a brief but compelling little tale that had me guessing and finished with an excellent last sentence which I didn't expect.

That's as far as I've got for now, more to come when I get a chance to read the rest

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Debut novel site: http://www.flamesofherakleitos.com/

Been very remiss in providing feedback on the stories (where does the time go..?) but I've really enjoyed them all so far. My natural inclination to wallow in the melancholy means that the standouts for me have been Pine and the Yule Log but I have to say I really liked Stephen Bacon's story which was just dark enough and with a killer last line.

(Oh and thanks for the kind words Jo - hope the story wasn't too confusing!)

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Thanks, everyone, for the kind words on Pine. Very much appreciated. I've very much enjoyed all the tales and poems, most especially Ray's, Aliya's, Bob's, Stephen's and Patrick's. Thanks again, Pete, for arranging this. Well done, everyone!

Nice 'chilly' piece from Paul, with "The Imitation", capturing perfectly the feel of the film that inspired it.

There's sorrow juxtaposed with a gathering sense of dread in Simon Kurt Unsworth's "Christmas Eve, 5.24 p.m.", so that you wonder what will be waiting behind that door, and the reality doesn't disappoint.

Back to the 4th for Des' evocatively written "Thoughts and Themes", with some nice touches of wordplay and invention, and underlying that what feels to me like a disassociation of the narrator's identity.

Some biting prose and an elegaic feel to "Mary's Day Off" by Alan, the idea of the hitch-hiker as an urban myth. Thematically it brought to mind Bradbury's "The Pedestrian" and Ballard's "Concrete Island".

Victoria's "In the Bleak Midwinter" is a bit too reminiscent of last year's prolonged winter for comfort. Chilling, with its depiction of the snowbound couple and the sinister, almost vampiric (heat instead of blood) snowmen.

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Nobody has come forward to take the last place on the 24th, so I've posted a festive video to bridge the gap (but if anybody does want to join in I can do a 'substitution' as long as you don't leave it too late - email whitenoise@ttapress.com by 21.00 today, after which my computer is turned off and the window of opportunity has gone).

For Christmas Day several contributors have sent me second links:-

Des
Bob
Jo
Michael Collins
David
Morag
Thomas

I don't think there's anybody I've missed, but if I have missed you, or you'd like to be included for Christmas Day, please let me know asap.

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Finally got back to the first day and Ray's "Turtledove" and it was a case of keeping the best for last. Lovely story, so sad and yet with a feeling of what Christmas is really about, being with the people we care for, even those who are no longer with us.

Great way to end, though there's today's zombie song and tomorrow's 'mass' posting still on offer.

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Okay, a late and final catch up for the year

William: That was very touching and I think you've caught it right. There are times when it doesn't matter if something really does work as long as you feel better for it!
Pete: Great timing!
Stephanie: Lovely, but then I'd have liked it regardless because it has a dragon in it.
Patrick: The things of beauty made my heart ache. That was a lovely piece.
Stephen: That one made me squirm.
Simon: Another very touching story and I could see it all so clearly.
Paul: I think I'd enjoy reading the whole work

Nadolig Llawen, everyone. Thanks to Pete for organising the advent calendar again and to everyone else for contributing and reading

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Jo Thomas
http://www.journeymouse.net/

I'm still catching up, due to being away from internet access, but I've had fun with them so far. Thanks for comments, folks, I'll try to get some online asap.

Merry Christmas to all!

I'm hoping to finish this story real soon, ie within a week or so and I'll let you know if it gets published

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Okay, folks, some thoughts please.

Shall we do the Advent Calendar again this year, or are we all advented out and in need of a rest after three years?

Yeah, I know it's a bit early, but I've recently realised that I'll be writing reviews for next BS at the start of December, so if we do give it a shot knowing who is in and getting some stories sorted in advance will be a big help.

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I'm all for it (I've started a story, I'm so keen) (actually I've started two, but one will be an emailed Christmas card thing I think) and hopefully others are up for it because it was fun to read such a variety of pieces through December (and a great way to start the day at work).

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Yeah - go on - let's do it.

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Jim