Cheryl Burman's Blog: Blog posts for readers and writers, page 36

They couldn’t be allowed …

Today’s writing prompt and my response.

Day two of this week’s challenge. The story starts here.
They couldn’t be allowed to fight. He had to think of a way to stop it

Colin, changed into a warm tracksuit, sprawled on his sofa with a cold drink – because the electricity was off – and fretted about Eve. He’d met her when she was with her previous team and they’d been on a project together. Her game development software was astounding, and although he hardly knew her, he’d been happy for ...

She felt for the lock in the dark

Today’s writing prompt and my response.

The first day of this week’s challenge.
She felt for the lock in the dark

Rain squalled against the houses, ripped leaves from the footpath trees. Beneath the fried street lamps, Eve’s only illumination were flashes of lightning. She splashed through puddles, shoes and legs soaked. Her handbag slapped against her drenched raincoat, the hood useless against the downpour. A crash of thunder sent her heart thudding. She drew a shivering breath.

The r...

Courage Cave Crow

Today’s writing prompt and my response.

Day six and the last of this week’s challenge. The story starts here.
Courage Cave Crow: use these three words

‘So where’s this small space you talked about?’ Alan poured Maree a glass of wine from the bottle he’d bought from his meager waiter earnings. She’d told him about Peter stealing her savings and his heart went out to her. A bottle of wine was the least he could do to cheer her up.

She took a sip, set the glass down with a grateful sig...

There was nothing left …

Today’s writing prompt and my response.

Day five of this week’s challenge. The story starts here.
There was nothing left of the money except

Maree had a new lease of life. Before Peter returned from whatever business trip he was on (if it was a business trip), she removed herself and a suitcase of belongings into a short term apartment not too far away. It was convenient that Alan lived nearby. The house – a cosy terrace – belonged to his sister, and Alan was her lodger.

‘Thank God she d...

Three ways to differentiate your characters

A couple of months ago I wrote about multiple POVs, were they a good idea or not. At the time I mentioned that, however many characters you have, you want your reader to remember them and be able to identify them instantly without their names. Apart from the physical description [another topic for the future!], how do you differentiate your characters?

My research including asking Twitter’s #writingcommunity, brought forth some great tips and hints to find ways to differentiate your characters. H...

The 41st Disaster R.S. Jonesee

I’ve much enjoyed R S Jonesee’s Postscript Island books, so this was a natural for me to read. A standalone (although there is ample opportunity for a series I would think).

After the 41st date which has gone belly up, Elsie swears off men and vows to focus on her party planner business.

Meanwhile, Dirk is still hurting after his wife left him for another man and wants nothing more to do with women.

But when Dirk moves back to his hometown and meets Elsie – hidden behind a clown costume – sp...

He was terrified of …

Today’s writing prompt and my response.

Day four of this week’s challenge. The story starts here.
He was terrified of small spaces and she knew

I was hesitant about going into a cafe unwashed and in grimy clothes, but Maree pointed out that, without the wig, we could say I’d just come from a piece of local theatre, should anyone ask.

‘By the way,’ I said, ‘I’m Alan, waiter by day, out-of-work actor by day and night.’

Maree laughed – a sound which warmed me more than it should have.

Wh...

Picture prompt

Today’s writing prompt and my response.

Day three of this week’s challenge. The story starts here.
A picture prompt today

Maree glared at the scruffy, well-spoken … whatever he was … sitting on his pile of grimy blankets in the empty station. He had pulled off the untamed wig, showing a short, clean head of hair beneath it.

‘I’m sorry.’ He grimaced, contrite. ‘I don’t actually know Peter – I’m an actor and he hired me to do this.’ He clasped his hands, looked up at her. ‘Can I make it up...

Quirky Bridge Low: use these 3 words

Today’s writing prompt and my response.

Day two of this week’s challenge. The story starts here.
Quirky Bridge Low: use these 3 words

I peered at her through the mass of the wig’s tangled hair. I didn’t smile.

Maree faced me, taking a step back.

‘What did you say?’

The fear had returned to her eyes, but it wasn’t that of a woman expecting a physical attack. More fear of the unexplicable.

‘I said, Peter won’t miss you. He’s not back for another two nights.’

‘I said, Peter won’t miss you....

She had missed the last train …

Today’s writing prompt and my response.

Day one of this week’s challenge. Or you can simply write to each day’s prompt!
She had missed the last train and there was only one person she ..

She had missed the last train and there was only one person she knew would give a damn about that. And he was away from home himself, so wouldn’t be looking for her arrival. What a waste! Maree had hung onto the thought of the empty flat, and the empty bed, waiting for her all through the long work day ...