Apparently, the word most people find hardest to say to someone is "NO". I'm not sure I agree with this, but it's an interesting idea. Personally, there are about a dozen words I find harder. I find telling someone they're wrong harder than refusing them something. If you had to pick one word that you... Continue Reading →
The Playing Field – A Short Story
The field stretched out four acres behind the schoolhouse. Two long rows of evergreens spanned from one end of the field to the other, creating a sense of protective separation from the school grounds and the outside world. It had been snowing incessantly for three days so that the grounds were white. The tree branches,... Continue Reading →
Writing Prompt: Caption Competition
When it comes to making changes in your life, the first step is always the hardest... Just for a laugh, pick an everyday sign or image and create a story from it. In the case of the sign above, it's a metaphor for the number of changes I plan to make this coming year. In... Continue Reading →
Quote for the Day
The work never matches the dream of perfection the artist has to start with. - William Faulkner
Writing Prompt: The Times Are A’Changin’
I woke up this morning completely unaware that the clocks had gone back and that I was in possession of another waking hour today. I've been ill for the past few days, shivering and sweating in my bed with my DVD player and laptop to keep me busy. I've been thinking all day about what... Continue Reading →
Writing Prompt: Voice and Music
Have you ever thought about how everyone's voice is unique, like a signature? Each voice also has a different effect on each person that hears it. What some people find attractive, others might find grating. There are some people's voices that are warm and familiar to me. Family generally feels soothing. My mother's voice stirs... Continue Reading →
Writing Prompt: Touch
When writing, people often overlook how something feels to the touch, paying most attention to sounds (dialogue) and appearances (description/characterisation). Look around, there are hundreds of textures all around you. As I sit here, I can spot some of my favourites. Titch is sitting on the arm of the sofa next to me, every so... Continue Reading →
Quote for the Day
It's tougher than Himalayan yak jerky in January. But, as any creative person will tell you, there are days when there's absolutely nothing sweeter than creating something from nothing. - Richard Krzemien
Writing Prompt: Other People’s Stories
Stories are all around us. We tell each other about our weekend adventures in the coffee room at work, our parents and grandparents tell us about their lives, our friends swap stories every time we meet. There is treasure of life experiences we all share all around us. Anecdotes are a great source of inspiration.... Continue Reading →
Writing Prompt: Anger Actually
People react to anger in different ways. Some people yell, others sulk, some throw things, others shut down. If I'm honest, I'm a slow burner. It takes a while to get me angry, but when I get there, everyone stand back. I don't throw anything, but I stomp about swearing. Not very lady-like, I know,... Continue Reading →
Word Ferret: Writing Prompts, Book Reviews, and Short Stories 