This was a collaborative story with another member of our writing group. We used the photo prompt from a November challenge from the Stine Writing blog's 'Simply Six Minutes'. Jane Pogbee (the Whittlesey Wordsmith who illustrates our anthologies) wrote a 'part one' giving it the title Angels, and I completed the tale the following month, … Continue reading Angels
Category: story
101 Word Flash Fiction
I'm please to announce my flash fiction story The Last Night is published today on Flash Fiction Magazine's 101 words website. ### ### What do you have to celebrate today? ###
Why Am I Writing This Boring Story?
I struggle to find story ideas. Occasionally, I find myself re-imagining something that happened in my family (as do all writers). Or something that might have happened, prompted by a remark somebody made. As I carry on along one of these drab avenues, I might think to myself, Nobody is going to be interested in … Continue reading Why Am I Writing This Boring Story?
A Right Pickle
A short story Warning: questionable language alert. I fix a smile and open the door. ‘Hi, Pol. Good holiday?’ ‘Brilliant! Did Peter Piper miss his mummy?’ She flies to the birdcage, where a blue budgie bobs up and down in front of its mirror. Polly chirps, ‘Who’s a pretty boy, then?’ Blue Peter is silent. … Continue reading A Right Pickle
Pondkeeping
I just had a minor panic when I went to feed the fish and the pond was practically empty. The fish were huddled over the pump in the bottom well of the pond. Had I left it until I came back from shopping the water would have gone and the pump would have cut out … Continue reading Pondkeeping
Making Amends
For those outside the UK who asked, here is my story recently published in The People's Friend. These knitting needles had an agenda of their own. They were of a length my gran would have branded “pickle-stabbers” and Sandy used to say my ten thumbs weren’t safe in charge of a cocktail stick. The memory … Continue reading Making Amends
Guess Who’s Author of the Week
People's Friend have designated me this week's Writer of the Week ! I'm thrilled to be this week's Writer of the Week over at the Peoples' Friend website. My story will be published under the title 'Making Amends' in this week's issue, out in the UK on May 18th. ###
The Laundry #3
If you missed parts 1 and 2, start here Pressed against the clear round door of the front-loader, Misty mouse rotated slowly as the water level rose. Behind her, folds of laundry shaped a shadowy smile. Maxy Mouse ran to the middle of the floor. Jumping up and down, he pointed to the door of … Continue reading The Laundry #3
The Laundry, #2
If you missed Part 1, find it here Satan the cat slunk between the washing machines, only to be drenched by the spray now spurting from the hose above. As he shook water from his fur, the mice scattered. Misty ran out across the floor. The door to the front-loader was open, so she jumped … Continue reading The Laundry, #2
The Laundry, #1
Mention of a mangle in comments on an earlier post reminded me of this story. first published in Where the Wild Winds Blow from the Whittlesey Wordsmiths. The Laundry The muffled rumblings behind the door became a clattering cacophony when it opened, releasing the smell of bleach and wet washing. Inside the basement, a single … Continue reading The Laundry, #1