inspiration

  • My apologies; my Guest Writer Spot is taking a mini holiday. I’m going away today and haven’t even started thinking about packing, and I really ought to. But business will be resumed for next week. Have a great weekend and do get in touch if you’d like to be featured in this spot in the…

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  • Markets For Writers

    This week’s market is an ongoing one. ‘1000 Word Challenge‘ run quarterly themed competitions for stories up to 1000 words. The current theme is ‘Lift’. Here are some  more details for you: Prizes: 1st: £100 2nd: £50 3rd: 25 Entry fee: £5 or £8 for an entry with feedback The closing date for the current…

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  • Monday Motivations

    As usual, the weekend went by in a flash and we find ourselves staring Monday in the face again. To get your mind working, why not have a go at one of my two short story competitions (with prizes!) One of them is for a flash fiction story of up to 100 words. You can…

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    Talented poet Gordon Simmonds has appeared in this slot a few times, with some beautiful, moving poems. If you haven’t read them please do: Everybody Dies, When I am Gone, Paschaendaele, Joe’s War  , The Piper in the Graveyard  and An Old Soldier’s Thoughts. You can read another below: More Old Soldiers Thoughts By Gordon Simmonds…

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  • Markets For Writers

    My market for you this week gives writers scope for writing a longer story. The Exeter Story Prize accepts entries up to 10,000 words. There’s no set theme. Here are the other details for you: Prizes: 1st: £500 + trophy 2nd: £150 3rd: £100 Best humorous entry: £200 Trisha Ashley Award + trophy Entry fee:…

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    This week I’m welcoming a new writer to my Guest Writer Spot. Nest Madden is one of my amazing students and he thought you’d all like to read a story with an Easter theme. Here’s a little background detail on Nest: ‘Nest is a decorated security specialist who has over thirty years’ experience in front…

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  • It’s Friday tomorrow and the start of Easter weekend. I wish you all a very happy Easter. Before you indulge in far too many chocolate eggs, here’s my new challenge for you: Option one: Write a limerick with the word CHOCOLATE in it somewhere Option two: Write a poem on the theme of HOLIDAYS Option…

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  • Monday Motivations

    A short while ago, I launched my two short story competitions (with prizes!) One of the competitions is for a flash fiction story of up to 100 words. The entries have already started coming in and there are stories which have made me gasp, others which have made me think wow, I wish I’d written that…

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    Talented poet Gordon Simmonds has appeared in this slot a few times, with some beautiful, moving poems. If you haven’t read them please do: Everybody Dies, When I am Gone, Paschaendaele, Joe’s War  , The Piper in the Graveyard  and An Old Soldier’s Thoughts. Many of you have commented how much you like his poetry so…

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  • It’s Friday tomorrow so you’ve nearly made it to the weekend 🙂 I hope your week’s been a good one. Here’s my new challenge for you: Option one: Write a limerick with the word CODSWALLOP in it somewhere Option two: Write a poem on the theme of TRANSPORT Option three: Write a ten-word story using…

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