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Web Watch : Jacqueline Alexander : BBC Berkshire

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East of the Web

Calling all wannabe wordsmiths...

I am surprised you are reading this. I am not casting doubt on your choice of reading material, in fact, I applaud you. It's just that it has taken severe levels of self discipline to give you something to read. Until two minutes ago I was in the grip of an unhealthy addiction and wondered if I would emerge from its clutches. This week's site should carry a health warning. Or perhaps I should get a life!

My mission was to find an interactive site for would-be authors and I certainly succeeded. Eastoftheweb.com is a real gem.

Publishing short stories of almost every genre, this web site invites submissions from the would-be Graeme Green's or JK Rowling's of this world. All submissions are vetted by the editorial team and judged on the quality of the work - not past commercial success or experience. In short, fledging writers are welcome to submit their work alongside established authors.

Graced with glowing recommendations from the Daily Telegraph, Britannica and Yahoo, the pages attract an audience said to include publishers, agents, film-makers and the press - just the audience you want as an unpublished writer.

The site includes a 'frequently asked questions' page which will answer your queries on copyright and tells you how to submit your story. You have no excuse now. Get writing and get published!

At this point, you are probably wondering how I came to succumb to the forces of addiction whilst browsing this site? Although many of the short stories are worth reading, these were not the source of my obsession. I stumbled across another section within the site and I was powerless to resist.

It all started so innocently. I was merely looking to be entertained for a couple of minutes. Storyman was the first to mark my demise. Then, I discovered Cryptoquote. And then, I found Eight Letter. It was too much. I was hooked within minutes.

eastoftheweb.comStoryman is a simple concept. Take a well known book, film, author or songwriter, leave the right number of blank squares on the screen and an alphabet. Click the letters until you correctly name the character, place, author or song. It all sounds so innocent but before you know it , you will be drawn into the dark world of word games. Countdown has a lot to answer for!

Once you have mastered the art of Storyman, you will be in lured into the arms of Cryptoquote - not quite so simple but still a format you will recognize.

Then, there is Eight Letter and it's time to bring on the competition. You don't have to register or subscribe, you just type in you screen name and away you go. Eight letters and one minute to solve the conundrum and find as many words as you can. When you've finished each of the ten games, you see how you have fared against your fellow addicts. Fatal.

And lastly, if you take a look at this site and you find 'Jaq' is one of your online competitors, please email me and tell me to get a life! I won't listen but at least I will know I am in good company!

http://www.eastoftheweb.com/

Jacqueline Alexander

Web Watch : Jacqueline Alexander : BBC Berkshire