writing

  • Writing Prompts

    This week’s writing prompt is: FEELING PROUD What have you done in your life that’s made you feel proud of yourself? Done well at school, get a dream job, perform a small act of kindness to another that’s made a huge difference to them, become a parent, survived an illness against the odds? Perhaps it’s…

    Read more →

  • Competition Winners

    When I was teaching a course on writing competitions at Swanwick Writing Summer School back in August, I launched two competitions for those attending the school. I had some fantastic entries for both competitions which made my job of choosing winners very difficult. But I promised I would announce the winning stories today so I’ve…

    Read more →

  • Laughing Along With A Limerick

    How was your weekend? Ready for a new limerick challenge? Your word is: CRUNCH Your challenge last week was to write a limerick using the word CHANCE in it somewhere. You came up with some amusing limericks: Keith Channing: Chance or Community Chest. I can’t decide which card is best. Ten pounds for a beauty Or two…

    Read more →

  • Guest Writer Spot

    It’s Friday and time for my guest writer slot. This week I’m welcoming back Jean Harris. She’s appeared in this slot a few times now, with A Safe Place, Green Fingers and Stitched Up! Here’s another of her ‘A lighter look at life’ pieces: It’s in the Cards By Jean Harris Birthday cards, anniversary cards, get…

    Read more →

  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    It’s time for your new story challenge, so… Can you tell a story in 22 words? You must use the following words somewhere in the story: Last week’s prompt was to tell a story in 31 words using the following words in it somewhere: Here are your fun stories: Nicola Daly: What a conspiracy! It…

    Read more →

  • Writing Prompts

    This week’s writing prompt is: DILEMMA I’m sure you’ve had more than one dilemma in your life. It might not have been particularly serious – I mean, do you go for the lemon cheesecake or the chocolate brownie? But maybe your dilemma had a greater impact on your life – for example, whether to go…

    Read more →

  • Laughing Along With A Limerick

    Happy Monday! It’s time for this week’s limerick challenge. Your word is: CHANCE Your challenge last week was to write a limerick using the word FEAR in it somewhere. You came up with some amusing limericks: Keith Channing: There once was a king (no, not Lear) Who ruled by engendering fear. His subjects objected To taxes collected…

    Read more →

  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    It’s Thursday and time for a new story challenge, so… Can you tell a story in 31 words? You must use the following words somewhere in the story: Last week’s prompt was to tell a story in 19 words using the following words in it somewhere: Here are your super stories: Nicola Daly: If you…

    Read more →

  • Writing Prompts

    This week’s writing prompt is: SURPRISE! What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had? Or are you someone who doesn’t like surprises? Perhaps you’re the person who likes organising surprises for other people. You could create a surprise for a character if you want to write something fictitious. Or maybe a poem about a particular surprise will…

    Read more →

  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    I hope you’re having a good week so far. It’s now time for a new story challenge: Can you tell a story in 19 words? You must use the following words somewhere in the story: Last week’s prompt was to tell a story in 43 words using the following words in it somewhere: Here are…

    Read more →