Esther Chilton

  • It’s five-word challenge time again! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word Sulk in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word Jump. You sent in some interesting and entertaining stories. Here they are: Trents World: Almost here! Time to jump…. Chelsea Owens: Jump…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Grindstone Literary Company have lots of writing competitions to enter, from short story writing, to poetry, to novels. Here’s what they have to say about themselves: ‘Grindstone is more than just a competitions website – we’re a writing community. We provide opportunities for writers to challenge themselves by entering our writing competitions and pitting themselves…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    If you thought portaloos were bad…

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  • Here’s part five in my writing dialogue series. If you missed part one, click here. For part two, click here. For part three, you’ll find it here and for part four, here. Now for part five: If you’re using lots of dialogue, add in some action. What are the characters doing as they’re saying their…

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    It’s some time since I last had a guest writer on my blog, so I thought it was about time I rectified that! I have a couple of wonderful writers coming up in the next few weeks, but if you’d like to appear as a guest writer, with a story, poem or article, please send…

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  • It’s five-word challenge time again! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word Jump in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word Teeth. You sent in some great stories. Here they are: Chelsea Owens: The fairy took EVERYONE’S teeth. Sanandi-jacq: X-rayed teeth. Mined mini…

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  • Markets For Writers

    I know a lot of you like to write stories, which have a dark thread to them. If you’re nodding your head, and agree, you might like to enter Writing Magazine‘s Dark Tales Competition. Here are some details for you: ‘Head for the shadows for this month’s competition, which invites fiction with an edge. It…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    It’s so easy for a sneaky letter to add itself to your writing – as evidenced in this newspaper report…

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  • Here’s part four in my writing dialogue series. If you missed part one, click here. For part two, click here. For part three, you’ll find it here. Now for part four: ‘He said’ or ‘she said’ are fine as dialogue tags. There’s no need for lots of variations e.g. he/she yelled, shouted, screeched, shrieked, expressed,…

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  • Need Some Inspiration?

    Stuck for something to write about? I often find a photo starts the creative juices flowing. Here’s one of an old ruined abbey. What happened there all those years ago? What about now? Could there be a ghost haunting the ruins? Or perhaps a homeless person stays there – what could their story be? Let…

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