• Guest Writer Spot

    It’s Friday and time to welcome my Guest Writer. It’s Marjorie Hembroff; she’s written a short story. Before you get wrapped up in her tale, here is some information about her and her writing: Marjorie is the author of Bess’s Magical Garden, The Mystery of the Hidden Cabin, middle grade novels, and picture book Gramma Mouse…

    Read more →

  • I Challenge You To…

    This week’s challenge is to write a story, limerick or poem on the subject of: Travel Last week’s theme was things that make you happy. Here are some of the funny and heart-warming pieces you sent in: Keith Channing sent in an amusing poem: If you asked me for a list Of the things that…

    Read more →

  • Markets For Writers

    This week’s market is for the poetry writers amongst you. Writing Magazine is holding a cinquain open theme competition. But you’ll need to get cracking as the closing date is only a few days away on the 15th September. Here are some details for you: Prizes: 1st: £100 2nd: £50 Both winning entries will be…

    Read more →

  • Funny Of The Week

    I think I’ll opt for putting on a sweater or turning up the heat rather than the alternative… Photo credit: The Atlantic

    Read more →

  • Wonderful Words

    Last week, I wrote about taking inspiration from ordinary words and adding them into your story or poem. A couple of writers sent in pieces they’d written from the word prompts. You can find them below. Another good tool, which can help you to unleash ideas in your writing, is to take a random line…

    Read more →

  • Guest Writer Spot

    Please welcome Phyllis Campbell to my Guest Writer Spot. She has sent in an excerpt from her book. You might like to find out more about her before you read the extract: Phyllis Staton Campbell, who was born blind, writes about the world she knows best. She calls on her experience as teacher of the…

    Read more →

  • I Challenge You To…

    This week’s challenge is to write a story, limerick or poem on the subject of: Things that make you happy Last week’s theme was friends. They’re clearly very important to you. Here are some of the touching and thought-provoking pieces you sent in: Keith Channing sent in a clever limerick: The rumour mill lately contends…

    Read more →

  • Markets For Writers

    We all like a good old love story, don’t we? So if you’re feeling in the romantic mood, try writing a story for Writing Magazine‘s annual Love Story Competition. You have until 15th September to enter. Here are some more details for you: Prizes: 1st: £200, plus publication in the magazine 2nd: £50, plus publication on…

    Read more →

  • Funny Of The Week

    I love a good typo – here’s one for you. Good old Brian! Photo credit: The sliced pan    

    Read more →

  • Wonderful Words

    Monday Motivations When I’m struggling to come up with an idea for a short story or poem, I’ll often have a look around me (at a newspaper, out the window, around the house) and find random words to add into the story. This often sets the creative juices flowing. Here are five random words for…

    Read more →