Markets For Writers

Grindstone Literary Company have lots of writing competitions to enter, from short story writing, to poetry, to novels. Here’s what they have to say about themselves:

‘Grindstone is more than just a competitions website – we’re a writing community. We provide opportunities for writers to challenge themselves by entering our writing competitions and pitting themselves against other writers. We offer cash prizes and publications as incentives for writers to push themselves, and as a reward for all their hard work’.

If you’d like to find out more about their competitions, including the prizes and entry fees, as well as about their literary magazine, visit their website.

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Funny Of The Week

If you thought portaloos were bad…

Bite Size Writing Tips: Dynamic Dialogue Part Five

Here’s part five in my writing dialogue series. If you missed part one, click here. For part two, click here. For part three, you’ll find it here and for part four, here.

Now for part five:

If you’re using lots of dialogue, add in some action. What are the characters doing as they’re saying their words? This helps the reader to picture the characters. Together with the words of dialogue, it also helps to push the story forward e.g.:

“Craig,” she reached out, her warm hands patting his flyaway hair, “I have to go.”

“No, you don’t. Stay,” his gnarled hands gripped her sweater and he pulled her to him.

“Get off me. Now!” She yanked his hands away, watching as his face fell, tears in her eyes.

“Anne?”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered and ran from the room, “so sorry.”

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Guest Writer Spot

It’s some time since I last had a guest writer on my blog, so I thought it was about time I rectified that! I have a couple of wonderful writers coming up in the next few weeks, but if you’d like to appear as a guest writer, with a story, poem or article, please send it to me, together with a photo and author biography.

As regards a word limit, anything goes! If you’ve got a longer story, it can be spread out in instalments.

Send your writing to: estherchilton@gmail.com

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Can You Tell A Story In…

It’s five-word challenge time again! For this week’s challenge, can you tell a story in five words, using the word Jump in it somewhere?

Last week, your story needed to contain the word Teeth. You sent in some great stories. Here they are:

Chelsea Owens:

The fairy took EVERYONE’S teeth.

Sanandi-jacq:

X-rayed teeth. Mined mini mountains.

White plastic filling teeth. Recycled?

Gums sag. Teeth protrude. Ageing.

Teeth on edge. Earthquake rumblings.

Ritu:

Too many sweets. No teeth.

Simon Farnell:

Teeth locked, ready to drill!

Teeth bared, my dentist frowns.

Old man smiles, teethless grin.

Ruth Scribbles:

Her teeth clenched my shoulder.

She showed all her teeth.

He took out his teeth.

Tessa:

Time to clean my teeth!

I am missing several teeth!

No fake teeth for me!

Bharul Chhatbar:

Laughter can’t hide teeth!

Tongue & teeth, best friends!

Treasure your teeth when old!

Laughter…hide My teeth!

Gail L Winfree:

They were not my teeth.

Marian Wood:

Her teeth were pale yellow.

Her teeth were beside her.

I’ve forgotten my teeth today.

Her teeth illuminated her face.

A J Shawler:

“Purpose of visit?”

“Harvest teeth.”

“Her comb’s teeth are canine.”

“Long night?” (Sighs) “Anne’s teething.”

“Book title?”

“Teeth of Mischief.”

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Markets For Writers

I know a lot of you like to write stories, which have a dark thread to them. If you’re nodding your head, and agree, you might like to enter Writing Magazine‘s Dark Tales Competition. Here are some details for you:

‘Head for the shadows for this month’s competition, which invites fiction with an edge. It could be spooky or chilling, or just dealing with the darker side of human psychology, but you’ll need to leave us feeling more than a little uncomfortable’.

Prizes:

1st: £200, plus publication in Writing Magazine

Runner-up: £50, plus publication on the website

Entry fee: £6 – £4 for subscribers

Word limit: Between 1500 – 1700 words

Closing date: 15th August 2019

For more information, visit the competition page.

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Funny Of The Week

It’s so easy for a sneaky letter to add itself to your writing – as evidenced in this newspaper report…