• Monday Motivations

    I’m taking a while to get going this Monday morning. If you’re struggling to get your writing brain active, here are some writing prompts for you: The letter Secrets Passion Last week’s writing prompts were: Laughter Cold The Future Here are your creative works: Robert Griffiths has written a beautiful story: Charlie’s bluebird        1961 “Charlie,…

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    This week’s guest writer is one of my ex-students (he’s completed the whole course so an enormous well done to him). Nest Madden has shared his wonderful reminisces on my blog many a time. This one is a real treat: As a young police constable at the end of the 1960s I hated night duty.…

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  • In 1986, my favourite TV programme was Top of the Pops. Every Thursday night, I could be found glued to the TV waiting to hear if my favourite song had made it to the prestigious No.1 slot. Mum and Dad used to moan and groan about the ‘hideous racket’ coming from the TV, but they…

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  • Markets For Writers

    If you enjoy writing flash fiction, you might like to enter Writing Magazine’s 750-word story competition. Stories are accepted on any theme. You have until 15th April 2017 to enter. Prizes: 1st prize: £200 and publication in Writing Magazine 2nd prize: £50 and publication on the website Entry fees:£5 or £3 for subscribers To find…

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  • Looks like we’re all in trouble then…

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  • Monday Motivations

    After a fabulous writing weekend away, which has inspired and motivated me, I hope to do the same for you. Here are some writing prompts for you: Laughter Cold The Future Last week saw a single writing prompt: Spring. Here are your super creations: Take a look at Steve Walsky‘s blog for four fantastic spring…

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  • There I was, eleven years old, glumly trudging round the shops with Mum and Dad, when I saw it – the sign. It was in the shop window of Clarks shoe shop – ‘Free with any pair of school shoes – a Top Ten Single. Exclusive to Clarks’. It was 1983 and I’d just started…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Here’s an excellent flash fiction competition for you. Fish Publishing’s Annual Flash Fiction Competition is open for another two weeks. They’re looking for stories of up to 300 words.  Prizes: 1st: €1,000 2nd: online writing course with Fish The top ten stories will be published in the FISH ANTHOLOGY 2017 Entry Fees: €14 for the…

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  • Now, these are my type of instructions…  

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  • Manic Monday Motivations

    I don’t know about you, but life is a little busy at the moment. This week is already proving to be no exception, so I’m cheating (just a tiny bit) in giving you just one writing prompt this week. Write a story or poem on the theme spring. Here are last week’s themes: Hatred Valentine’s…

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