I cut my teeth on writing textbooks, so it was with some comfort that I approached a writing group challenge to write a travelogue. It was fun to play with the balance between creativity and information-sharing. This article was placed third in an internal competition. The judge didn’t like the practical points at the end, … Read more
I’ve never done stand-up comedy, but I have given some presentations at conferences where entertainment was expected alongside the information-sharing, and it is nerve-wracking! For a writing group competition on the theme “Satire”, I produced this piece, which was placed second. : THE AFTER-DINNER ENTERTAINMENT “Good evening, gentlemen!” Liv’s voice boomed out of the microphone. … Read more
This piece is a modern re-telling of a folk tale from the Three Princes of Serendip. : THE HAPPY CHANCES OF DILLIRAMMA It must have been six or seven hours. My mouth was so dry, and my limbs were stiff. Soon, I would have a severe headache, then delusions. Even if I could loosen the … Read more
The organiser of the re-opening of a local museum asked me for a cheerful piece on the theme of celebration. My brain locked on to the idea of a party bringing family and community together, but where could I get inspiration for the detail? How about the earliest story in my memory involving a party? … Read more
In 2024, the Scottish Arts Trust started a category in their Flash Fiction awards called “True Flash” – for memoir or creative non-fiction. It was very appealing to try this. This is partly sharing personal experience, but also describing a common experience for the older female motorist. : It Comes to Us All “Excuse me. … Read more
The theme “The Longest Night” immediately suggested midwinter to me, and we now know that Stonehenge was aligned for midwinter, presumably to celebrate the rebirth of the earth after the longest night of the year. What might those ceremonies have been like? Archaeologists are finding more and more interesting evidence. We still have to join … Read more
The theme “Special Meal” did not initially appeal to me, as most of my meals are consumed on my feet, on the go and on my own. So, a flight of complete fantasy was required…at last – I was trying to write a happy ending! : SPECIAL MEAL He had been patient and she had … Read more
It sometimes seems to take a lot of time to find inspiration for a random theme, but in this case, the theme (Skeleton in the Cupboard) provoked many ideas. I settled on this one, trying my hand at a bit of black humour in the process. SKELETON IN THE CUPBOARD “I think there were some … Read more
We all grumble about things that our parents and teachers didn’t do or say – some are more puzzling than others. This piece would probably qualify as “True Flash”, as it is based on a personal memory, but the context and names have been changed. : ROLE MODEL Daria was pleased that her next client … Read more
Writing to a historical theme is something I love to do, so I was eager to compose an entry for a writers’ group competition for a historical short story. There is so much on TV about Henry VIII, and one drama about this period left me with an abiding image of the poet Thomas Whyatt, … Read more
