I’ve been doing some more critiquing of other people’s writing recently and it’s been an eye-opening experience. The quality of writing I’ve looked at has varied from publishable literary fiction quality down to buttock-clenchingly piss poor trash. I’m not going to name or quote anyone because that would be shitty behaviour and also against the … Continue reading Misunderstood writing advice part 1: “You don’t have to like a character”
Category: writing
Blindness, writing, and a not very savage review of It’s Not What It Looks Like by Molly Burke
So let’s talk about blindness and books. This was actually just going to be another savage review but I thought I’d first write a bit about how NOT to include blindness, or disability generally, in a book. It all comes back to something that happened a few months ago, in a group for beta readers … Continue reading Blindness, writing, and a not very savage review of It’s Not What It Looks Like by Molly Burke
What’s long, hard and full of crude?
OK people, I’m back. Inktober didn’t kill me. Actually I’ve been asked so many times now to self-publish my Inktober flash fic ramblings that I’m looking to do that. But I don’t want to charge money for a very small book that only contains things that are freely available on my blog, so I’m working … Continue reading What’s long, hard and full of crude?
Inktober 31/10/19: Ripe
The first time the children came to Ethel’s door, she was confused. Then she was irritated, partly at having to haul her aching bones out of her comfortable chair, and partly because she suspected the children had seen her confusion and misinterpreted it. “Harvest festival!” they chimed. “I’m sorry? What is this? Did you want … Continue reading Inktober 31/10/19: Ripe
Inktober 30/10/19: Catch
Call me Mr Fuzzybutt. Some time ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no kibble in my bowl, and with many hours before dusk, I thought I would explore the skirting boards in the kitchen, for whatever small beasts might lurk in the shadowy parts. It was there that I met … Continue reading Inktober 30/10/19: Catch
Inktober 29/10/19: Injured
(It's okay to have mixed feelings about this one. I do myself, which is why I'm adding a little clarification here for those who don't know me well. This is fiction which does not represent my own views. I am not an antivaxxer. I think they are 100% wrong about the facts. But I do … Continue reading Inktober 29/10/19: Injured
Inktober 28/10/19: Ride
Are YOU a wandering adventurer who likes to slaughter goblins? Perhaps YOU are a great warrior, out to avenge the death of your brother and claim the throne of some kingdom nobody cares about! Are YOU a badass freaking wizard who needs to show up at unpredictable moments to reveal important information? Are you frustrated … Continue reading Inktober 28/10/19: Ride
Inktober 27/10/19: Coat
(This flash fiction won't make a lot of sense if you've not read my novel I'm afraid.) Dear Kelsen, I am returning the coat you left with me this past lacuna. I congratulate you on your agility in getting away without it: it's a trick I usually watch out for. Crunch is a good little … Continue reading Inktober 27/10/19: Coat
Inktober 26/10/19: Dark
Minutes of the Committee of Dark and Nefarious Creatures Present: The Grasping Hands Under Your Bed (GH), The Phantom of the Wardrobe (PW) The Little Men from the Toybox (LM), Sleep Paralysis Tony (SPT), The Tooth Demon (TD) and The Curtain Witch (CW) Apologies: The Ceiling Monkeys (CM) The minutes of the last meeting were … Continue reading Inktober 26/10/19: Dark
Inktober 25/10/19: Tasty
When she was twelve, Lucy lost the property deed to her body. It had been there before, thrown in a drawer among dried up felt tip pens and mismatched colouring pencils, but one day it was gone. Her teachers had warned her about hair and blood and hips and tweenie bras: a body that would … Continue reading Inktober 25/10/19: Tasty
