inspiration

  • 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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  • Markets For Writers

    Brentwood Writers’ Circle is holding a flash fiction story to celebrate its 75th anniversary. They’re looking for stories of exactly 75 words. Here’s the all important information for you: Prizes: 1st prize: £40 2nd prize: £20 3rd prize: £15 Plus all prize winners will receive a copy of ‘How to Write Fiction without the Fuss’.…

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  • Monday Motivations

    A little over a week ago, I launched 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 choose to interpret that theme is up to you. You could write about money or jewels. Or the treasure may…

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  • Guest Writer Spot

    It is with great pleasure that I welcome talented short story writer Adam Dixon back to my Friday slot. He’s written several excellent stories for my Guest Writer Spot. Please visit his blog to read these and some of his other works. Here is a little bit about him, in his own words: ‘My name…

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  • It only seems like yesterday that I was setting last week’s writing challenge. I don’t know about you, but this week’s flown by. Still, at least it’s nearly the weekend. Here’s my new challenge for you: Option one: Write a limerick with the word BREAD in it somewhere Option two: Write a poem on the…

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