writing
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When a friend of mine had a book published, I bought a copy and happily posted a review on Amazon when he asked. Now I’ve had my own book published I can ask the the same of him, can’t I? I can, but I don’t like asking people if they’d write a review. I’m always…
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Don’t over or under-explain A lot of writers struggle with where to end their story. Some bring it to a close very abruptly and leave readers wondering what on earth happened next and thinking they’ve missed something vital. You don’t have to tie everything up in a neat little bow; it’s fine to let readers…
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Laugh Out Loud We often take life too seriously. Yes, there are awful things happening all around the world and often in our own little corner of the world. We can feel sad, angry, frustrated, disappointed and so on, but if we take everything that’s bad, upsetting etc. and heap it onto our shoulders, it’ll…
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My market for you this week is once again courtesy of the ever helpful Sacha Black who found this rather unusual competition. The Becoming Writer Writing Contest is inviting stories of 1000 words and will publish all, yes all, stories entered and offer feedback. Sound too good to be true? Take a look at the…
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Here’s a Monday Motivation Challenge Special: can you write a short story, where the first sentence starts with A, the next B and so on, right throuigh to Z? It’ll certainly blow the weekend cobwebs away! Here’s mine for you: Another wet day dawns to blight our much needed holiday. Black clouds hang heavily in…
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Feel the Fear and do it Anyway! Some of you have read my ‘About Me’ page and been intrigued how an accident changed the course of my life and brought me to writing. So here’s an insight for you: I was 24-years-old at the time and working in a bank. And I hated it. I…
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As a freelance writer, I’ve had the fortune to write for all sorts of publications and to undertake all sorts of writing jobs from copywriting, to short stories, to humorous articles, to readers’ letters, to books. I learnt my craft many years ago through The Writers Bureau and once I’d become an established writer, I…
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Stop! Take A Moment It’s so easy to get caught up in the mundane minutiae of everyday and to forget to simply be. Life is so short. We need to live it. To enjoy it. Make a list of the things that you like, things that make you feel alive, whether it’s the smell of…
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The thrill of being published never fades as evidenced when I opened the ‘The Guardian’ this weekend to see another short filler piece I’d written. I was even more excited when I saw they’d kept it in word for word – even the typo I shamefully have to admit to. Read on and I’m sure…
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Last week I published Geoff Le Pard‘s stunning piece of writing, inspired by the following picture prompt: Maria Matthews contacted me to say she also had a piece of writing rattling round in her head on seeing the picture. Thankfully it managed to get out and I can now share Maria’s magical piece with you.…
Esther Chilton 