writing

  • It’s that time of the week – five-word challenge time again! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word Nightmare in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word Scandal. You sent in some great stories. Here they are: Sanandi-jacq: Composted sandal scandal goes viral.…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Writers’ Forum is a monthly writing magazine offering advice and inspiration to writers. They accept articles on all sorts of aspects of writing, but they prefer an idea in the first instance. To find out more about exactly what they’re looking for, take a look at their submission guidelines. ***

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  • Winning Ways

    Have you entered a writing competition recently and not come anywhere? You’re not alone. I remember that sinking feeling, when I clicked on a link to the shortlisted entries and my name wasn’t among those on the list. But I wasn’t about to give up and kept studying prize-winning stories. What was it about them…

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  • Here’s part two in my writing dialogue series. If you missed part one, click here. Tip two: When more than one character is speaking, you must place each character’s speech into different paragraphs. Otherwise it can be difficult to work out who is saying what e.g.: “How much is that dress?” Sian asked the shop…

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  • It’s five-word challenge time again! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word Scandal in it somewhere? Last week, your story needed to contain the word Aliens. You sent in some great stories. Here they are: Trent’s World: It wasn’t me! Really! Aliens… Sanandi-jacq: Aliens permeate fabric of…

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  • Funny Of The Week

    Cows never listen, do they? Photo credit: Ivman’s blague

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  • It isn’t easy to write convincing dialogue and it’s something many writers struggle with. Even if you get the words right, there seem to be so many rules and regulations concerning how it should be set out, the punctuation etc. Over the following few weeks, I’ll be giving you some tips on how to build…

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  • For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word aliens in it somewhere? Last week’s challenge was to write a five-word story where one of the five words had to be flabbergasted. Here are your clever stories: Keto For Beginners: Two pounds gone? I’m flabbergasted!! Sanandi-jacq: May resignation. Dumbfounded.…

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  • Markets For Writers

    Are you looking for a market for your short stories? Then Prima may be an option. They like touching, uplifting stories. Here’s what they have to say: ‘Do you have a way with words and want to win £100? We’d love to receive your creative short stories to publish in the ‘Your Winning Short Story’…

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  • By e-mail or post? Most publications accept work by e-mail but some still prefer postal submissions, especially from someone writing for them for the first time. Even if you have had a few pieces published by a magazine, if they ask for submissions to be sent by post, send your work by post. You could…

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