Isn’t it annoying when a perfectly normal day is completely thrown out by a solar eclipse. And let me point out, this was not one where the sun and the moon were meeting. I have no idea who or what decided to wander across the sun’s path but it was deeply irritating. All the swamp …
There was a group sitting in the shade of the potting tent in the centre of the space. He wove through the paths towards them. Gabe, as like to Mik that they might be twins, although they denied even being brothers, waved from a short stool in front of a group of youngsters. “Now here’s …
Continue reading Trashing the Ruler Part 2 – Grandmother’s Diary
Eleanor’s smile barely made it to the corners of her mouth. “I’m afraid I’m terribly busy. Master Fang is only in town for a few more days and Mistress Azimi sent word that I’m to resume my lessons on the Sun Empire with her tomorrow.” Sebastian bowed over her hand. “Such a clever little Ellie. …
Laid off from your job, you come home early to find your fiancé sleeping with your so-called best friend. To top it off, your great-aunt has passed away. You haven't seen her since you were a child, but you receive a letter from a solicitor notifying you of her passing and that you are her …
Story Engine Prompt: A vindictive avenger wants to commit a crime involving a book but they must face what they’ve been running from. Set in the Forgotten Wasteland, in city forged out of a dump by outcasts and now the subject of territorial fighting, complicated by the presence of a massive bird colony. Raf eased …
Continue reading Trashing the Ruler Part 1 – Welcome to Forgotten
In this post, I’ve taken a prompt, made a start on it, then tested the mettle of Chat GPT 3.5. I think writers are safe, but maybe in possession of an interesting new tool – see what you think… Story Engine Prompt: An honest hero wants to gain the power of a shrine, but it …
Delauney woke to the sun tugging at her curtains, she stretched and grinned. School was over. Not just for summer but forever. Now she had a glorious summer of freedom and nothing ahead of her, before starting her new life as a Uni student in the autumn. This was her last summer living with her …
Imogen walked into her sitting room and halted. “Who let you in here?” Ingram smirked from where he lounged on a chair by the fire. “Now is that any way to speak to your future husband? I thought we should have a nice, cosy chat.” Imogen gave him a patently false smile. “What a charming …
Once upon a time (because that’s how these things start), there was a wealthy merchant, with a healthy wife and a single, beloved daughter. The daughter, Eleanor, wasn’t the prettiest girl in the town of Gandry, but she was pretty enough for mothers and fathers of local sons to paint over her fierce intelligence with …
Thrushbeard was the first full story I actually finished. It's a bit under 32,000 words, so novella length. When I went to write the second draft, I decided to turn it into a full-length novel. Which means draft two isn't a revision, it's a total re-write. Even the names of the main characters have changed. …
The DNA of Stories 