Esther Chilton

  • This week’s look at an ad from the good old days sees one you wouldn’t get away with today. Though, love the line ‘Indoors, women are useful – even pleasant’!

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  • Monday Motivations

    Sometimes all you need is a word to get your creativity going and for threads of a story or poem to start to weave together. Here are some words to start you on your way: Surprise Affair Shatter Angels Terror Cafe Accident Alleyway Poison Rejection Last week, I gave you two short story openings to…

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    A few weeks ago, I started a new slot for writers who’d like their work to be seen and read by others. I know how hard it is to make a name for yourself in the writing world, so if any of you would like a story/poem/article to be featured on my blog, please contact…

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  • My Weekly Writing Challenge

    I usually give you several word/themed choices in my weekly writing challenge, so this week, I’m just going to give you one word: Fear This word evokes different feelings in all of us. Perhaps it relates to a phobia, or a particular situation. You can write about your own fear, or create a fear for…

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  • Markets For Writers

    I owe the wonderful Sacha Black a big thank you for this week’s market: Mash Competitions. These flash fiction competitions are run every quarter. They’re looking for stories of up to 500 words and have this to say: ‘Our competition rules are simple. Every three months, three random objects are selected from a randomly gathered…

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  • Part four of my weekly series, which looks at the ads of old, brings you an ad which wouldn’t be gotten away with today, eh girls?!

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  • Monday Motivations

    Writing ideas to kick-start your week This week, I’m giving you two short story openings to stimulate those creative juices. Use them as a writing excercise or turn them into a full story. If any of you would like to send them to me, I’d love to read them and will post them here next…

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  • Exciting News!

    Sophie’s Secret Quest As a few of you know, I’ve been fortunate enough to have my series of children’s books for 5-7 year olds accepted by a publisher. I’ve still had to pinch myself, but now there’s some information about it on the publisher’s website so I’m starting to believe it more now.  I’m not…

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  • My Weekly Writing Challenge

    Coming back from the heat of Florida this week, I noticed a distinctly autumnal feel to the air. So this week’s challenge builds on from one of the challenges I last set you. I challenge you to write a 20-word story, using at least five of the following autumnal words: Blustery Russet Cracking Foggy Harvest…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Flash Fiction Market My market for your this week is a reminder that I’ve started another flash fiction competition, with cash prizes. So don’t miss it! It’s another open themed competition, with a maximum word count of 250 words. You have until 15th November to send me your entry: E-mail entries to: esthernewton@virginmedia.com Postal entries…

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