Last Monday my U3A writing group (who have grappled gamely with Zoom and capricious email to turn in some really great work this year) had three short stories to consider and they made me think of the importance of openings. The group are all very aware of the pitfalls of working out where a story … Continue reading Story Openings: not where to begin but how
I’ve probably said before somewhere that I find short story and flash fiction collections a difficult reading proposition, the exceptions being, as I am finding more and more, when the collection has a strong linking theme or overarching narrative. Recently two of these have come my way. And the colours match! What better reason to … Continue reading Two new fiction collections
Having seen my historical short story Silver Harvest shortlisted several times without ever making the winners’ enclosure, I was beginning to suspect that even if competitions were ‘welcoming’ all genres, there was a reluctance to give the overall prize to a historical piece. I’m happy to say my suspicions have been allayed , since on Friday … Continue reading A win for historical fiction – and me!
A few months ago I made the longlist for Christopher Fielden’s To Hull and Back humorous short story competition whose anthology is being launched at next Saturday’s Talking Tales in Bristol. Knowing this was sure to be a fun affair ( yes, I got my TT badge in October!) I saved the date to go along … Continue reading Vintage comedy – with Stokes Croft Writers
“Celebrating 175 Years of Photography in the home of Scottish Photography”. When I found out about the first St Andrews Photography Festival taking place this summer, I had a pang of regret that I wouldn’t be there to see it. However, in an unexpected turn of events, I will actually be part of it as I’ve … Continue reading St Andrews Photography Festival – being part of it
Ali Bacon / Books Etc 