short fiction
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Like many of you, I have a few projects on the go. One of them I’m currently working on is a new collection of short stories. It’s over three years since A Walk in the Woods, my last book of short stories, came out. And I know I’ve enough stories to fill several more collections.
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After writing the first book in my series, A Helping Hand For Writers, I didn’t know what to focus on next. Publication Guaranteed (well, almost!) covered all sorts of areas of writing, with the aim of helping you to become a published writer. So where did I go from there? I asked you guys and
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As many of you know, I’m a tutor for The Writers Bureau, which I thoroughly enjoy. Recently, we’ve joined the virtual teaching world and have been tutoring some Zoom courses. They’ve been great fun and have ranged from Making Money From Your Non-Fiction, to Flash Fiction, to Rediscovering Your Writing Mojo. I’ve loved teaching in
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I’ll be back with my short story challenge soon. In the meantime, Lance Greenfield is holding my Monday and Thursday challenges if you’d like to take part. You’ll find him at https://lancegreenfield.wordpress.com/ I also promised I’d publish all your wonderful five-word stories from several months ago. Well, here they are. The prompts were: KISS SANDWICH
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For part one, click here For part two, click here “Well, I was a dab hand at making models when I was a lad and remember when times were hard and I crafted all those toys for Colin? I’m sure I can handle a fairy,” Peter said, rubbing his hands together. … “She’s beautiful, absolutely
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For part one, click here For part two, click here She hadn’t meant to say it. Time was ticking away. Weeks were passing, months, then a year. Time ticking down to their return to England. It wasn’t long. Surely she could cope, just a little bit longer? But he had asked her. And she couldn’t
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For part one, click here She looked at the front door key in her hand and closed her fist round it. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t pluck up the courage to go in. “Something moved! There are tigers in there,” Gemma screamed and clung to Sarah’s leg. A black cat sauntered out of the
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For part one, click here. For part two, click here. ‘Well?’ he pouted as Granny ended the call. ‘Grab your coat, love. Let’s go and see your mum.’ ‘She’s not dead?’ Craig’s eyes widened and he sprinted down the hall, his anorak on and out the door. ‘And she’s got a surprise for you,’ Granny
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His mummy was dying. He stared at her face, usually so beautiful and serene now sweat-soaked and puckered as the pain finally claimed her. ‘Mummy, don’t leave me, Mummy!’ he said, his voice trembling with sobs. ‘Craig,’ she reached out, her warm hands patting his flyaway hair. ‘I have to go.’ Granny interrupted, ‘There, there,
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I touch his face, my fingers caressing his lips, catching on a ragged ridge of chapped skin. I press my own to them, tasting the tang of tears as they cascade down my cheeks. I drink in his warmth. Or what’s left; it won’t be long before his lips mirror the hue of a bloated
Esther Chilton 