I was just wondering, what do people think is more effective/appealing for audiences, writing from the perspective of the main character or in the 3rd person? I am struggling with this in the direction of my novel and might let the protagonist take over the narrative at a logical point. Also is there a video function with this kind of blog? I find this kind of presentation only (text, not in real time) a little rarefied for this kind of group, like posting on a wall.

Pour encourager les autres...

Cockadoodledoo

Cockadoodledoo. Elvis is dead.

The sign outside Mary’s house reads: ‘Eggs for sale from very happy hens.’ A couple of years ago she rented part of a field from a farmer, installed coops and an electric fence, and began keeping chickens as a hobby so that she and her friends could enjoy ‘happy eggs’. Then she acquired her pride and joy, a magnificent cockerel called Elvis.

Ten years ago there were three farmyards in the middle of the village. Although many inhabitants commute to Cambridge, and two busy road cross in the village centre, the lowing of cows and bleating of sheep were audible from the High Street, reminding even ‘the newcomers in the new houses’ that they were in the country. But the farmers got old, their children had moved on, and the farmyards were built over.  Except for the cars, the village fell silent.

There was no need to announce Elvis’s arrival.  In the village shop, at the bus-stop, in the playground, people smiled and said how nice it was to hear a cockerel again. Then Mary got a letter from the council: there had been a complaint. Mary showed the inspector round: the cockerel was on agricultural land, not in a garden, and further away from houses than any of the old farmyards had been. She was told he was a nuisance and would have to go. Mary offered to have Elvis put down if the complainant insisted on it. The council agreed to report back. The village was pleased to learn that Mary heard no more.

Yesterday she went to feed the chickens and found Elvis dead and dismembered. This had not been a humane killing and Elvis had evidently put up a fight. Mary knows who killed her cockerel but, like him, she maintains a stony silence.

Welcome...

Dear anyone who manages to get here...

This is a space for you and your fellow creative writers to share your work and ideas and thoughts.
I don't need to lecture any of you on 'netiquette' - it's been my good fortune that all my students have been courteous to and supportive of each other - I know your mutual feedback will be constructive and helpful.
I can't promise to moderate the blog formally, as I just don't have enough hours in the day as it is, but I will look in from time to time to check you're all behaving yourselves and to see what you're up to and also to post my own blogs.
Well done Simon, for a start. May I suggest you post something soon so any other new bloggers don't feel so lonely? It doesn't have to be a formal piece of writing (although that would be good - a piece from our class would be perfect) - you could just say what you're writing about if you prefer.

So... a lot of you said you liked the opportunity to hear/read other people's work - you too are 'other people' so here's your forum.

Best wishes,
Sarah