• Here’s a new story challenge for you: Can you tell a story in 50 words? You must use the following words somewhere in the story: Last week’s prompt was to tell a story in 22 words using the following words in it somewhere: Here are your amusing stories: Christopher Farley: She said I was childish

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  • Writing Prompts

    This week’s writing prompt is: FEELING PROUD What have you done in your life that’s made you feel proud of yourself? Done well at school, get a dream job, perform a small act of kindness to another that’s made a huge difference to them, become a parent, survived an illness against the odds? Perhaps it’s

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  • Funny Of The Week

    There are several reasons to avoid this dish, including the fact that it doesn’t particularly look like cheese and if it’s going to cause paralysis…

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  • Competition Winners

    When I was teaching a course on writing competitions at Swanwick Writing Summer School back in August, I launched two competitions for those attending the school. I had some fantastic entries for both competitions which made my job of choosing winners very difficult. But I promised I would announce the winning stories today so I’ve

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  • How was your weekend? Ready for a new limerick challenge? Your word is: CRUNCH Your challenge last week was to write a limerick using the word CHANCE in it somewhere. You came up with some amusing limericks: Keith Channing: Chance or Community Chest. I can’t decide which card is best. Ten pounds for a beauty Or two

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    It’s Friday and time for my guest writer slot. This week I’m welcoming back Jean Harris. She’s appeared in this slot a few times now, with A Safe Place, Green Fingers and Stitched Up! Here’s another of her ‘A lighter look at life’ pieces: It’s in the Cards By Jean Harris Birthday cards, anniversary cards, get

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  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    It’s time for your new story challenge, so… Can you tell a story in 22 words? You must use the following words somewhere in the story: Last week’s prompt was to tell a story in 31 words using the following words in it somewhere: Here are your fun stories: Nicola Daly: What a conspiracy! It

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  • Writing Prompts

    This week’s writing prompt is: DILEMMA I’m sure you’ve had more than one dilemma in your life. It might not have been particularly serious – I mean, do you go for the lemon cheesecake or the chocolate brownie? But maybe your dilemma had a greater impact on your life – for example, whether to go

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  • Funny Of The Week

    My days often feel like this…

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  • Happy Monday! It’s time for this week’s limerick challenge. Your word is: CHANCE Your challenge last week was to write a limerick using the word FEAR in it somewhere. You came up with some amusing limericks: Keith Channing: There once was a king (no, not Lear) Who ruled by engendering fear. His subjects objected To taxes collected

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