fiction

  • Guest Writer Spot

    My guest writer this week is working on a novel. I’m delighted to be publishing the opening to his book. Here’s a little bit about Eric Owens: Eric Owens is a decorated veteran of the Air Force, and a thirty year veteran of the IT industry. He has written industry blogs and is a published…

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  • Need some inspiration to get your creative juices flowing? Then why not give my latest writing challenge a go? Option one: Write a limerick with the word BERK in it somewhere Option two: Write a poem on the theme of SECRETS Option three: Write a twenty-word story using all of the following words: DESTROYED, ALIBI,…

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  • Markets For Writers

    This week’s market is for the fantasy, horror and science fiction writers among you. The British Fantasy Society is holding its 2016 short story competition. You’ll find all the details on their competition page. Here are a few basic details – Prizes: 1st: £100 2nd: £50 3rd: £20 Entry fee: £5 All prize winners will…

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  • Monday Motivations

    I don’t know about you, but I certainly have that sluggish Monday-mind-syndrome. So to start the writing week off, I’m inviting you (yes, again!) to enter one of my two short story competitions (with prizes!). One of them is for a short story of up to 1000 words on the theme of TREASURE. How you…

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  • Markets For Writers

    This week’s market is one of the women’s fiction markets. Take A Break’s Fiction Feast and Take A Break’s Specials are currently looking for stories for both magazines. You can write to them (by post only) for in-depth writers’ guidelines. The basic requirements are as follows: Fiction Feast: 800- 1000 words in length. They want…

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  • Sizzling Story Ideas Short stories in magazines always seem to flow effortlessly from beginning to end. Competition winning entries stun with their originality and brilliance. Small press magazines are full of thought-provoking stories which inspire, enrich and delight. It’s easy to imagine that the authors have a limitless supply of ideas waiting to leap onto…

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  • Top Tip Of The Week

    Don’t Rush It! In a short story, the ending is important but be careful not to rush it. Some writers can see the end in sight and grab it – too soon e.g. in a romance story, you have gradually built up the will they/won’t they scenario. Your readers are right there with the characters,…

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  • Here’s some advice that should help you to get going on your writing for the week. This week it’s fiction’s turn: Creating Atmosphere in Fiction To be successful, a short story or novel needs to develop a strong sense of atmosphere. This draws your readers into your story so they can imagine this world you…

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  • Markets For Writers

    The Global Short Story Free Flash Fiction Competition My market for you this week is a 100-word flash fiction competition but you’ll need to get your skates on as the closing date is 13th May 2014. It’s free to enter and all you need to do is place your story in the comments box on…

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  • As spring is in the air, I thought I’d make a few changes to my blog: Some of my regular posts will remain the same – Tuesday will still see my award for ‘Funny Of The Week‘ and Friday is still my ‘Top Top Of The Week‘ day. ‘Mondays Motivations’ will change slightly to feature…

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