: Seaman John Norris staggered along the stony track that led home, but he was still only on the first leg of his journey. Dark clouds had rolled in, throwing down persistent rain. Daylight was fading, and his knapsack was heavy. John stumbled and cursed. As he righted himself, he noticed a faint flicker through … Read more
When I was visiting my cousin in Edinburgh a few years ago, she told me about the unusual swan behaviour on the local pond. I was immediately hooked on the swan saga of Craiglockhart Pond! This story is based on the true story of Brighid, one of the Craiglockhart swans. With thanks to The Friends … Read more
“What a wonderful view!” they gush. They always gush. And then they wonder. “Why are you selling?” When they say that, I hear a demonic cackle from the bay window, which, despite being newly-glazed, leaks, as does the new door. They can’t hear it, and they can’t hear the walls and floors and roof taunting … Read more
“Never too late! Never say never! There are so many rays of sunshine from the positive thinkers on social media,” Don mused as he munched his toast and jam. “Bless them.” He sighed. He had been feeling very lonely since the untimely death of his wife of thirty-four years. Not that they had been the … Read more
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
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
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
