Thank you @cbcreative.bsky.social for such an inspiring week of writing a #5ActFestiveStory with my fellow #WritingCommunity! It’s been amazing and has encouraged me to see the value of writing every day, even if it’s only 200 characters - because you can’t finish a story if you don’t write it!
Thank you to Chloe and @cbcreative.bsky.social for running the #5ActFestiveStory writing challenge. Great prompt and so many great entries! Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone!
Thank you! It was such fun to connect with you and others during the writing of this #5ActFestiveStory
Thank you @cbcreative.bsky.social for last week's #5ActFestiveStory and #WriteCBC throughout the year. I've had a miserable time recently with the sudden loss of my beloved black Labrador Oliver. Taking part and reading everyone's entries has helped put a smile back on my face.
Thank you so much @cbcreative.bsky.social for running last week’s #5ActFestiveStory. It’s been great fun taking part, meeting other writers and seeing a story take shape. I’m going to miss it. Merry Christmas!
Congratulations @katelinjoywrites.bsky.social on winning Act V. A wonderful ending to #5ActFestiveStory
It was a pleasure to participate in #5ActFestiveStory organised by @cbcreative.bsky.social
Winning Act III was a wonderful Christmas present.
I have booked a place on this 6-week course, beginning on 20th February and I can't wait to work on a thriller:
www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/course/writi...
Prompt: It was on the twelfth consecutive day of snow, the country held in an icy standstill, when a postcard arrived. Sodden and exposing just two words: I’m sorry. – By @clotimms.bsky.social Act I: Ella followed the sounds of dreary Christmas hymns to where her mother sat in the living room. ‘Someone left this on our doorstep,’ she said, handing over the postcard. Upon seeing the handwriting, her mother’s eyes gleamed with tears. ‘Who’s it from?’ Ella asked. – By @thoughtworms.bsky.social Act II: Instead of answering, her mum rushed to grab their suitcases and starts shoving clothes in. ‘The snow should have been warning enough, but I thought she’d be able to keep him away forever. 20 years, and now…’ She looks up, her eyes piercing. ‘He’s coming Ella. We must leave.’ – By @mikaelasilk.bsky.social Act III: A crash came from the roof. Mum screamed. The house shuddered. Crunching footsteps sounded on the stairs. Ella’s breath misted. Ice crept under the door. The rug glistened. ‘Ella, remember the fire!’ Mum’s voice was a whisper. Ella’s limbs became lead weights as ice engulfed her. – By @katesfwriter.bsky.social Act IV: Her head rolled back as she surrendered to the numbing cold – but then a memory, long suppressed, arose. As she concentrated, a flame flickered in her outstretched hands, wavering as she cried out then holding strong, its warmth creating puddles on the floor. The footsteps paused. – By @kaybeen.bsky.social Act V: She looked to the frozen figure before her. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, ‘it was never meant to be this way.’ The Winter Warlock cautiously approached Ella, her memories feeding the flame, drawing him in, melting his icy exterior. Beneath it, a man. Embracing his daughter on Christmas. - By @katelinjoywrites.bsky.social
Thanks to everyone who joined us for the #5ActFestiveStory! We loved creating this year’s story.
Our Act V winning entry comes from @katelinjoywrites.bsky.social! Congratulations, you've won a free six-week course place. Thank you for collaborating to write this year’s #5ActFestiveStory.
Visit our blog to read the complete story: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/blog/5-act-f...
The house shimmered around them and then shattered, as if made of glass. But they were liberated from their frozen prison after so long, the sound of carols and village life carrying on the wind, calling to them. “Mum, we’re free!” They ran out into the world. #5ActFestiveStory
1 week on
Ella looked around the crystal castle, pure ice, then smiled at Arne, her oldest ancestor. It felt familiar when she arrived, trembling and weak, not from cold.
It had been the absence of all this. She understood Mum's reasons, but now her life made sense. She was home.
#5ActFestiveStory
‘That was Christmas past, present and yet to come,’ said the Ghost of Christmas. Ella reddened with shame. ‘I’ve been a cow, haven’t I?’ ‘Let the fire in your hand warm your heart.’ The postcard dried exposing the full text: I’m sorry. Trains cancelled. Home Christmas Eve. Dad xx #5ActFestiveStory
Beyond the door, Jack shivered with nerves. Eyes, the same blue as Ella’s, locked onto her. Repentant. He’d chosen ice and diamonds over warmth and family for 20 years.
‘Your Nan, told me where to find you.’
Ella melted into her father's arms as joyful Hallelujahs filled the room. #5ActFestiveStory
The flame lit the weary face of a man, copper eyes full of sorrowful love. 20 years separated the lies, theft, heartache her twin had inflicted. Darkness. Ella woke up and ran downstairs. “Mum, let’s go.” Her mum looked up, stunned. “For one day, this Christmas, let’s be together.” #5ActFestiveStory
He stumbled through the door. Ella looked into his eyes. “Dad?”
“No” Ella’s mum said and snatched her flame. Immediately it engulfed her.
“She wasn’t your mother Ella. She trapped me and tricked you for your magic. I’m sorry it took so long to find you. I’ll never lose you again” #5ActFestiveStory
A steaming mist arose, ice met fire; Ella faced her long-lost brother.
‘Jack. You’re back.’ She cried joyfully.
But Ella’s mum roared. ‘No! Don’t touch each other. Or you’ll both die.’
Tears turning to icicles, Jack nodded, stepped back and disappeared waving a frosty farewell. #5ActFestiveStory
Ella's eyes narrowed. The door swung open to reveal a huge man, built of snow, with a long nose and coal-black eyes.
"Snowman, begone!" shouted Ella, raising her flaming hands. The stranger melted away until all that was left was a carrot and some cinders.
"Safe at last," said Mum.
#5ActFestiveStory
The only sound was sweet hymns on the radio. Mum opened the door. The hall was empty apart from a postcard floating in a puddle.
'You did it!' Mum hugged her tight. 'The fire you conjured melted the frost giant. Now, where's the mop?'
Ella lifted the postcard. It read: Well done.
#5ActFestiveStory
A thud above them. Then silence.
Mum embraced Ella. “Thank God, Ella, he’s gone! Now as his heir, you will have his powers!”
Horror transformed Ella’s face.
“It's alright love, you can use his power for good. Light the fire, the thaw is coming! Hail, Queen of warm hearts!" #5ActFestiveStory
On a creak the door opened. A man stood clutching at his chest. He tumbled to his knees, at Ella’s defrosted feet. “Dad?” She remembered him. “My clever girl, you’ve broken the curse,melting the ice from my heart.” Together,they turned on the witch, but she had melted with the ice. #5ActFestiveStory
#5ActFestiveStory Ella asked but already knew. “Who are you?” “Frost. Meno Frost.” The ice monster replied. All her mother’s and female elders’ tales came flooding back. Her time had come. She’d just survived her first cold flush and knew she would overcome all to enter the Winter years of her life
Frosty paces faded as her flame guttered
Mum threw open the window
'The snow's stopping!'
Carols rose from crowds, massing as a last flake melted
'is it over?'
Ella heard Mum's sigh
'Your warmth accepted an apology'
Ella saw it
'Softened a frozen heart? Let's expect a welcome guest
#5ActFestiveStory
Ella surged like a sun, as the footsteps receded and the ice disappeared. Her grandmother’s words rushing back:
Be gone with you Jack, you demon of Frost
Seeker of malice, control at all costs.
Feel now my fire, slink off in the night.
You cannot beat the force of my light!
#5ActFestiveStory
Please post your Act V response as a reply to our pinned post by 10am, Mon 16 Dec (UK time). Remember to include #5ActFestiveStory.
For more information on how to participate, check out this blog full of info and tips: www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/blog/5-act-f...
#WritingCommunity, don’t miss out on our festive fun! Join in with the final act of our #5ActFestiveStory
Mini orbs of fire floated to light her mum's tall red candles. The room warmed as frosted logs in the hearth burst in to flame and dreary carols soared to 'Deck the Halls'. Ella smiled at the elderly man now sitting in the rocking chair. "Great Uncle Scrooge, welcome home at last".
#5ActFestiveStory
A face peered into the room, beady black eyes and wiry beard rimed with a frost rapidly melting in the warmth now radiating from Ella. He sneezed. Ella’s mother smiled. ‘Your father- always did have trouble knowing when to let go. Clearly he just needed a bit of your Yule spirit!’ #5ActFestiveStory
'I remember him, Mum,' Ella said. 'I remember everything.' Tears like melted snowflakes glistened on her mother's face. 'I had to take you away and hide from him. I'm sorry.' 'So is he. It's time to forgive each other.' Her mother nodded. 'Jack,' she called, 'you can come in now.'
#5ActFestiveStory
Mum’s hair blew wildly around her face. ‘He’s my brother, Jack!’ The fire and wind subsided, sunshine breaking through. ‘One winter he wouldn’t let go. Mother Nature trapped him under the earth. Dreams of a White Christmas gave him strength to return. Now you have saved us, Ella.’ #5ActFestiveStory
