The challenge that faced the Phoenix Writers this week was to write a 200 word piece that included the following elements – a barge approaching a set of locks, a bullock and a rifle. Here’s what I came up with . . . ————————— Lock 17 “Don’t worry, Kid,” said Don, squeezing the shoulder of…
BLOGS
Flash Fiction – The Big Cheese
For this week’s flash fiction challenge, we were asked to write a piece of 150 words, to be inspired by the following newspaper headline: “By-Election Could Herald New Chapter in Politics.” We had some really diverse and interesting pieces. Entitled, ‘The Big Cheese’, here’s what I came up with. —————————- Once again Keith had been…
Blessed Are The Geeks – Flash Fiction
Last week I attended a writing critique group, which was great fun but also introduced me to a genre of writing I had yet to try – Flash Fiction. For the uninitiated, Flash Fiction is simply very short form fiction (often 200 words or less). For last week’s writing challenge, we were encouraged to write…
NaNoWriMo – Why Everyone Should Try Writing a Novel in a month.
This is the story of how I surprised myself by writing 50,000 words of a novel in less than 30 days, and why I think everyone with even a passing interest in creative writing should give it a try at least once. I fell in love with writing as a child and even though it’s…
Generation ‘WHY’ – the most powerful word ever.
Generation WHY? Everyone keeps talking about Generation Y. I think it’s time to think more in terms of Generation WHY? Concerned Parent: Megan, it’s time for bed. Megan: Why? CP: Er . . .because it just IS! Sound familiar? It’s definitely a regular occurrence in my house and I have to confess I am often…
Stop Moaning and Make It Happen! Change Your Life.
Exploding bags of frozen peas and squirted breast milk – an interesting tale of how I made a career in Video Production.
TV to die for. If ‘Boredom’ was a disease.
BAD TV. We’ve all been there . . . Ok, you’ve just watched the first segment of a TV programme about ‘Dave’ – a man with an irrational fear of pastry who has just returned to his job at the local cake factory after a 3 year break. He is traumatised, but takes his first…
Learn to play an instrument – if I can ANYONE can!
Musical Myth Number 1: Being able to play an instrument is a unique, innate skill. You either have it, or you don’t. I have to admit, this was a view I was forced to agree with during my formative years. This was partly due to the fact that many relatives would constantly remind me of…
Can an iPod Replace A Live Band?!
I have been performing live gigs with various bands, playing both original material and more recently covers, for well over a decade now and in that time I have noticed a worrying change in the expectations of live audiences. Particularly at weddings now, it seems that punters want all the entertainment and spontaneity of a…
Will The Real St Patrick Please Stand Up!
B’Jesus, b’gorrah, and top o’ the mornin’ to ye. Yes, horrible isn’t it? It’s also a perfect example of the lazy stereotyping that drinks manufacturers now resort to when marketing ‘St Paddy’s Day’. As someone who actually has some Irish heritage – my grandad is from Kilkenny (check the surname if you please) you’d think…