• Last week, I asked you if you could tell a story in ten words. You clearly could, as you’ll see below. So I’m going to make the challenge tougher. Can you tell a story in six-words? I’ve had a go: Hand slackens. Tears fall. Son dead. Back to last week and your ten-word stories: KittyBoo63:…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Mslexia are currently looking for poems, stories and scripts on the theme of clothes. Here’s what they have to say on the subject: ‘We look for stories of up to 2,200 words, poems of up to 40 lines, and short scripts (for theatre, radio or film) of up to 1,000 words (including character names and stage…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    I think someone needs to rethink their definition of bottomless…

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  • Researching your market – analyse the publication as a whole You might buy a magazine to analyse because you have an idea for an article but don’t just analyse the articles. It’s a good idea to study the whole of the magazine. This will give you an idea of the readership of the publication and…

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  • Mum sent Dad to the supermarket to buy some pork chops. Dad couldn’t find them so he thought it best to ask an assistant. “Do you have any loin cloths?” he asked. “Sorry, Tarzan, we don’t have any so you won’t be swinging through the trees tonight,” she quipped. Dad then realised he may not…

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  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    I love a bit of flash fiction – stories told in 100, 250, 500 words, but what about a bite-size flash fiction story? Well, I can write a 50-word story, I hear you cry. But how about a ten-word story? Here’s mine: “Yes!” Eyes dancing, she punched the air. £5000 lottery win. ***

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  • Markets For Writers

    Do you enjoy writing about strong characters? Then the Character-driven Short Story Competition being held by Writing Magazine may be just what you’re looking for. Here’s a bit more about it: ‘Hero or anti-hero, do-er or dreamer, cool or clownish, focus on one memorable character and use them as the driver for the action in…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    I’d love to see this in action…

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  • Bite Size Writing Tips

    Involve Your Reader Not sure how to open your short story? Try addressing your reader directly. It instantly makes them feel part of your story. Here’s an example: Just one more, that’s all I was going to take. You know that, don’t you? You understand. Well, they didn’t. And they wouldn’t listen. Looked at me…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Most of you know I have a soft spot for flash fiction. Here’s a competition for those of you who also enjoy a bit of flash: The Irish Writers Centre is holding a flash fiction competition of up to 400 words in partnership with the National Botanic Gardens and the Five Lamps Arts Festival. The…

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