A writing exercise around changing points of view within a scene. Marian looked around proudly. Her future daughter-in-law had done a wonderful job as always. The private function room at one of London’s top hotels was comfortably full of people chatting, laughing and enjoying the wonderful catering. It was a perfect engagement party. She turned …
My dearest Mabel I simply had to put pen to page and fulfil my promise to you. Yes, dear friend, I have news to report, Lord Tristain has proposed! But not to me. No, he had to go down on one knee, in the middle of the Duchess of Southerton’s ball and beg for the …
"I'm so sorry." He paused, swallowing hard. "Please Kati, how can I make it up to you?" She refused to look at him, refused to move from where she huddled on the bed, back to the wall, eyes swollen and nose red. No doubt that perfect princess cried prettily. The snotty bitch. Dylan knelt by …
The glass shattered on the cold, marble tiles, but nobody looked at it, or the girl who's nerveless fingers had let it slip. All eyes were on the man in the doorway, surveying the room with cool contempt. It was his cousin who broke the silence. "Stephen, you survived. Thank the spirits!" Stephen raised a …
Conversational maxims – quality, quantity, relevance and clarity – violate at least one in each exchange. Not sure I managed to stick to this exercise from the 100 Day Challenge but I had fun... A merry-looking older man, blue eyes twinkling under grimy brows, plonked himself on the bench facing Alec and Nathan. Alec leaned …
A Steering the Craft exercise where you try to weave a large lump of exposition into a story. The crowds stared and whispered, as they did every year. At least it was a different crowd this time. Country folk, gawping and gasping, instead of the sniggers of the city’s thieves and merchants. In all, Queen …
Another exercise from Steering the Craft, this one playing with tenses and perspectives. Which version do you prefer? Third person, all past tense Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Janice logged in to the blog she’d created all by herself and hit the ‘new post’ button. This week’s recipe ‘From the …
Daniel staggered into the bare, single room of his home, leaning back against the rickety wooden door and groaning. A movement by the fireplace caught his eye and he groaned again. “Really? Can’t you go and be inspirational at someone else tonight? I’m exhausted.” Hope rose and drifted towards him. “It is when you’re at …
A mini follow-on to this post. Faith looked around the café as she entered. Marcus was easy to spot, mainly because every woman in the place seemed to eyeing him. He stood as she walked over to the table he’d chosen and leaned in to kiss her cheek when she arrived, before guiding her into …
“He what!?” Anna was glad she was seated as her brother’s friend, Sir Peregrine Travers, shuffled his feet and stared at the empty fireplace. “He lost.” Peregrine ducked his head. “Everything, the lands, the house, even your dowry Miss Greenleigh.” Across from her, Anna’s mother fell back against the sofa cushions and began to wail. …
The DNA of Stories 