• Blog

    Hitting the Ceiling Light ( Day 6 )

    The Challenge for Day 6 ” Tell Another Person’s Story” The challenge from Jeff Goins today is to tell a story from someone else’s point of view, perhaps even a friend.  I reached back into my past and this is what I came up with. Part fiction, part memoir, but told from a friend’s point of view. Hitting the Ceiling Light… Hitting the Ceiling Light “Look at the pair of ye.” Miss Hennessey has me and Annie Smith standing out in front of the class.  Rows of wooden desks in front of us and her sitting behind us. I can’t even see her face, but her voice makes me jump.…

  • Blog

    Old McDonald had a Car ( Day 5 )

    The challenge for Day 5 Today’s 500Words Challenge( Jeff Goins ) is to write about a day you will never forget. Everyone has loads of those days that stick out in the memory for one reason or another.  I went for the day I attempted the driving test for the second time. Most of it is true to the original event, though I changed a few small details. Here it is, Old McDonald…   Old McDonald had A Car Just an hour to go. I’m sitting in my car, the little orange Punto, waiting. And breathing. Calmly. In through the nose, out through the mouth. My heart doesn’t seem to…

  • Blog

    Short Story Writing , Five Useful Websites

    Short Story Writing Generally speaking, a short story is a piece of fiction under approx. 5.000 words in length. Is it just a shorter version of a novel? Not really, short stories actually have more in common with the genre of poetry. You are taking a specific character/event/emotion and focusing in on it like a magnet. “To see the world in a grain of sand” William Blake It’s like concentrating on one photograph on someone’s Facebook, rather than their whole timeline…But, of course, that photograph would need to have something unique or intriguing about it. And, of course, create a strong emotional response. That, to me, is the most important…

  • Creative Writing

    Pod 125, Hebrus Valles, Mars

      Pod 125, Hebrus Valles, Mars    Ting bip bip bip. Ting bip bip bip. Ting bip bip bip. The buzzer beeps relentlessly until I point my index finger at the red, flashing square. It takes quite a bit of finesse because it’s located right in the middle of the Pointer Box over the door. Smart move, there’s no way you’d be able to turn it off unless you were fully awake. The switch-off starts the predictable morning routine in motion. I stretch myself up on the bed…A loose term really, it’s more like a flat-packed coffin. The only difference is that it’s made of white recycled plastic and it…

  • Creative Writing

    Adonis

    Adonis “Hi, do you mind if I join you?” Sandy jerked her head up from the book and stared at this modern-day Adonis. In fact, he was way better than that, she thought. Besides having perfectly balanced features, the man had that rugged, unspoiled appearance that only the coolest guys could muster. And, best of all, he was still a living, breathing member of humanity. Wow! This could be my lucky day. Sandy smiled and nodded her head, hoping she looked more nonchalant than she felt. “Yes, no problem.  It’s busy here today, isn’t it?” Adonis put his tray down on the benchtop and squeezed in beside Sandy. She noticed…

  • Creative Writing

    Last Light

    “Imagine living for a whole century, Stella. Your grandmother was made of strong stuff. They don’t make them like that anymore.” “ I know, Mam. I’ll never forget the day she attacked Doctor Carey about the driving license. She was so mad at him!” “ That was typical Gran. She figured she had her license and that was it. There was no talking to her.” I’m helping Mam sort through Gran’s things, looking for a photograph to put on the memorial card. It’s been almost a year since she died and it’s about time we got something sorted. It’s cold outside but the dining room already feels warm from the…