inspiration

  • Guest Writer Spot

    It’s Friday and time for my Guest Writer Spot, which gives writers the opportunity for their  work to be seen and read by others. I accept stories, poems, articles – in fact, anything and everything. All you have to do is make sure your prose is no longer than 2000 words and your poems no…

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  • Markets For Writers

    I know a lot of you enjoy writing flash fiction so here’s a market for you. Reader’s Digest are holding their annual 100-word competition. Stories have to be exactly 100 words in length. The title isn’t included in the word count.  Entry is FREE and the prizes are certainly worth an entry: 1st Prize:           £2000…

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  • Monday Motivations

    Is it really Monday again?! Here’s a new writing challenge for you: Write a story or poem on any of the following themes: Euphoria Heat Cake Last week’s themes were: Misery Sleep Gold You certainly sent in a variety of writing: Please visit Shaun Kellett‘s site to read his super piece on the writing prompts:…

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    This week I have two guest writers. Nest Madden is one of my very talented students. After reading my blog post on the impact Bunty comic had upon me as a child, he wrote in with this brilliant anecdote: Your Blog post about Bunty reminded me; as a small boy I was asked by an…

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  • Markets For Writers

    This week’s market is the wonderful Writers Bureau Annual Short Story Competition. You have until 31st March 2017 to get your story in. Here are the all important details for you: Prizes: 1st:    £300 2nd:  £200 3rd:   £100 4th:   £50 All the prize winners will also win a Writers Bureau course of their choice (worth…

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  • Monday Motivations

    Doesn’t Monday come round quickly?! Here’s a new writing challenge for you: Write a story or poem on any of the following themes: Misery Sleep Gold Last week’s themes were as follows: Disaster Love Silence Here are your stories and poems: Robert Griffiths has a great tale to tell:                           Silence 1973 “Are you…

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    This week,  Donny Marchand is my guest writer. He’s featured several times before in my Friday slot but if you haven’t come across his work before, here’s a little bit about him, in his own words: ‘I have only started writing for publication a short time ago, and been fortunate to have had some modest…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Everyone likes a good laugh so why not enter Writing Magazine‘s ‘Humour short story Competition’? You have until 15th March 2017 to craft your story. Here’s some more information for you: Prizes: 1st place:      £200 plus publication in the magazine Runner-up: £50 plus publication on the website Entry fee:     £5 but only £3 to subscribers Word limit:…

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  • Monday Motivations

    I hope you’ve settled down into 2017 well. If you’re looking for a fresh challenge, here’s one for you: Write a story or poem on any of the following themes: Disaster Love Silence Your themes from last week were: A fresh start The dark place Monsters Robert Griffiths has sent in a super true-life story…

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    Happy Friday! I hope the first week of this new year has been a bright one. If not, don’t worry – it’s the weekend tomorrow! As it’s Friday, it’s time for my Guest Writer Spot. It’s a pleasure to welcome Sharon Boothroyd to this slot for the first time. Here’s a little bit about her,…

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