motivation
-
This week’s market is The Aeon Award short fiction contest. It describes itself as ‘a prestigious fiction writing competition for short stories in any speculative fiction genre, i.e. fantasy, science fiction, horror or anything in-between or unclassifiable’. In its 11th year, the contest runs from 1st January to November 30th so you have plenty of…
-
If you’re feeling sluggish after the weekend, or if you need a bit of a break from working on a big writing project, try some flash fiction. It’s fun and a great way to sharpen up your writing skills. You can try short and sweet – say a 10-word/20-word/50-word story, or if you’re feeling creative…
-
I have featured two of Traci Aina’s poems in my Friday Guest Writer Spot on previous occasions and I’m thrilled to welcome her back with a very powerful poem. Here’s a little about her in her own words: ‘Hi, I’m Traci. I am a beginner writer, wife and mother of two. As well as writing,…
-
It’s Thursday and time for my new weekly writing challenge. Here are your options: Option one: Write a limerick with the word bubble in it somewhere Option two: Write a poem on the theme of nature Option three: Write a ten-word story using all of the following words: Fandango, insipid, trifle and gurning Last week…
-
It’s in the title! Whilst purusing the shelves in a book shop recently, I found myself taking an interest in the titles and it wasn’t long before my mind started thinking up stories just from those titles. Here are some which might set you thinking: Time to Party Watching You The Legacy The Key Secrets…
-
My guest writer this week is Bharul Chhatbar. Before you read her poignant poem, here’s a little bit about her, in her own words: ‘I am basically a housewife from Gujarat – India with the passion of writing poems and short stories. My husband is very supportive inspiring me to write. I am proud mother…
-
Yes, it’s that time of the week already – almost the weekend and time for my weekly writing challenge. Here are your options: Option one: Write a limerick with the word unicorn in it somewhere Option two: Write a poem on the theme of your old school days Option three: Write a ten-word story using…
-
If you enjoy writing short stories which bring out goose bumps on your readers’ arms, then The Fiction Desk’s Ghost Story Competition might be for you. They’re looking for stories of between 1000-7000 words. The entry fee is a little steep at £8, but the prizes are good: 1st: £500 2nd: £250 3rd: £100 The closing…
-
Out with the old? No, not just yet! Last week, I suggested writing something new for 2016. This week, why not take a trip back in time and look through some of your previous work? Many a time I’ve done this and reworked a story, which I’d given up on, only for it to be…
Esther Chilton 