inspiration

  • Monday Motivations

    After a wonderful weekend in London seeing the Christmas lights and stunning landmarks, it’s back to reality with a bang. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend. Here’s a challenge to help you back into work mode: Write a story or poem on the theme Christmas Eve Last week’s challenge was to write a story

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  • I Need You – Again!

    Competition Time! Last week I set a mini-competition within a mini-competition! Lots of you took part in my recent flash fiction competition where I set the theme of ‘The Discovery’.  The results can be read here, if you missed them. So I’m now looking at running my next mini-competition, but I’m not quite sure of the theme to

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  • Monday Motivations

    Well, this Monday certainly came round far too quickly. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Here’s a new challenge for you: Write a story or poem on the theme Flashback. Last week’s theme was Darkness. There were some fantastic pieces: I’ve really missed Keith Channing‘s limericks so it’s great to see him back: Distinguishing

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  • I Need You!

    Competition Time! Thank you to all of you who took part in the first of my mini-competitions. The results can be read here, if you missed them. I’m now looking at running my next mini-competition, but I’m not quite sure of the theme to set. So, that’s where you come in. What theme would you like to

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  • Monday Motivations

    Happy Monday! Here’s a little challenge for you: Write a story or poem on the theme of darkness. How you interpret the theme is up to you. Last week, your challenge was to write about the cold. Here are your interesting and entertaining pieces: Jason Moody‘s story is superb: Jessica woke with a start and

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  • Monday Motivations

    I hope the start of a new week is going well for you. Here’s a little challenge for you: Write a story or poem on the theme of the cold. It doesn’t have to be about the weather; you can interpret the theme any way you like. Last week’s challenge was for you to write

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  • Monday Motivations

    On Thursday, I quoted Barbara Poelle: “If you’re struggling with a character, write 20 things that the reader will never know about your character. These will naturally bleed into your writing and provide a richness even though you don’t share the detail”.  I’m always encouraging my students to work on character biographies. Knowing your characters

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  • Monday Motivations

    So, tomorrow welcomes November to 2016. That means bonfire night is lurking round the corner so my writing prompt is for you to write a poem/piece of prose up to 300 words on the following theme: Fireworks Your piece doesn’t have to be about November 5th; you can interpret the theme as you see fit. 

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  • Monday Motivations

    My Monday challenge is to write a story/poem of any length, with the following words in it somewhere: Glasses, blaze and madness Last week’s writing prompt was to write a poem or story on the following theme: Revenge EDC Writing sent in this teaser: Monday already Weekend’s revenge For doing nothing Best crack on With

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  • Flash Fiction Competition

    Thank you to all those of you who have already entered my flash fiction competition. I’ve received lots of e-mail entries and the standard is high. Here is a reminder of the details for you, together with my own take on the theme ‘The Discovery’. Prizes: 1st: £20 plus a copy of my book of

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