writing

  • Bite Size Writing Tips

    Re-read, Re-write and Re-submit Do you save all your old stories? I do and now and then I’ll have a look back through them. I’ve discovered pieces I’d completely forgotten about. Most of you will be familiar with these – the ones you’ve entered into numerous competitions or which have done the rounds with the…

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  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    Hope your week is going well. Here’s your weekly five-word challenge! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word LOTTERY in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word HERO. You sent in some entertaining stories. Here they are: Bharul Chhatbar: Hero rises to heal…

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  • Markets For Writers

    The Fish Short Story Prize is accepting entries for short stories of up to 5000 words. Here are some more details for you: Prizes: 1st: €3,000 plus a five-day Short Story Workshop at the West Cork Literary Festival 2nd: A week at Anam Cara Writers’ Retreat and €300   3rd: €300 Seven Honourable Mentions receive…

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  • Bite Size Writing Tips

    Ever thought about writing a true-life tale for one of the women’s weeklies? Many writers cringe when it’s suggested they consider writing a true-life feature for one of the women’s weeklies. Take a look at the cover of some of them and it’s easy to see why. ‘Gunned down by her mum’s gold digging  killer’,…

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  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    It’s Thursday and time for your weekly five-word challenge! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word HERO in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word VILLAIN. You sent in some super stories. Here they are: Roberta Writes: I am not a villain. Villainous…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Writing Magazine are holding their 500-word flash fiction competition. There’s no theme, so you can choose your subject, but you don’t have long – the closing date is 15th November 2019. Visit the competition page for the rules and to enter. Prizes: 1st place: £200 Runner-up: £50 Entry fees: £6 (£4 for subscribers) ***

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  • Book Review: The Magicians

    I had high hopes of this book – the first in the series by Lev Grossman. The Times described it as ‘…Harry Potter for grown-ups’. Now, being a massive Harry Potter fan, I settled down, expecting to be taken on a gripping, enchanting and thrilling journey. The blurb says: ‘Quentin Coldwater’s life is changed forever…

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  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    Happy Halloween! It’s time for your weekly five-word challenge! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word VILLAIN in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word SQUASH. You sent in some fantastic stories. Here they are: Trent’s World: Pumpkin puree or squashed squash? Previously…

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  • Can You Tell A Story In…

    It’s time for your weekly five-word challenge! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word SQUASH in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word KINDLE. You sent in some fantastic stories. Here they are: K Morris: The story blew the Kindle. Christine Mallaband-Brown: Re-kindle…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Halloween is around the corner! Have you had a ghostly encounter? Perhaps a chilling prediction has come true, or maybe a spooky dream you’ve had won’t go away. These are the type of stories Take A Break’s Fate and Fortune is looking for. If you haven’t got a story to tell, you might have a…

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