Stuart Aken's Blog, page 199

After rereading Ray Bradbury’s Zen in the Art of Writing …

Originally posted on Books: Publishing, Reading, Writing:
Ray Bradbury, 1997(Photo Credit: Steve Castillo/Associated Press) I’ve just finished rereading Ray Bradbury’s brilliant but brief book on writing – about how he wrote, and what he thought writing should mean to all authors – and I must say that I feel particularly exhilarated, refreshed, and ready to…

Cut The Fat; Make Your Writing Lean: #Tip 38.

As writers, we generally share ideas to improve our craft. Here are some ways to trim our writing. Readers will appreciate us removing these common redundancies and flabby expressions. Descend down: I’m fairly certain it’s not possible to descend in any direction but down, so the qualifier is not needed. e.g. The pirate captain forced […]

Shortlist announced for the 2016 OWT Short Fiction Competition

Great news when one of your stories is selected. Source: Shortlist announced for the 2016 OWT Short Fiction CompetitionFiled under: Uncategorized

Creative Writing Contests Page Updated

Here’s this week’s reminder that the table has been updated on the website. In fact, whenever you visit the page, the table will be as up to date as it is on my home computer, as it updates each time I ‘save’ to the table. You can access it by clicking here.Filed under: Author, Creative […]

Cut The Fat; Make Your Writing Lean: #Tip 37.

As writers, we generally share ideas to improve our craft. Here are some ways to trim our writing. Readers will appreciate us removing these common redundancies and flabby expressions. Depreciate in value: Can something depreciate in anything other than some form of value? I can’t think of anything, but by all means educate me. e.g. […]

Cut The Fat; Make Your Writing Lean: #Tip 36.

We writers generally enjoy sharing ideas to improve our craft. Here are some ways to trim our writing. Readers will appreciate us removing these common redundancies and flabby expressions. The recent celebration of love via St. Valentine’s Day, that tacky, commercialised occasion much promoted by florists and the sellers of cards and chocolates, prompted me […]

Longlist announced for the 2016 OWT Short Fiction Prize

Originally posted on Online Writing Tips:
After numerous arguments, fallings out, and snide comments about each other’s judgement, we have a longlist! First, let me say a massive thank you to everyone who entered: it’s been a delight reading such a diverse range of writing from all over the world, and it’s been really hard…

A Walk on the Slightly Wild Side

Life in a forest can be so rewarding. Valerie and I moved to the Forest of Dean just over a year ago and began exploring our new home area almost at once. But we’ve kept largely to the laid down paths provided by the Forestry Commission and those that have been made by dog walkers […]

Update to Writing Contests Table.

Sorry, folks, I should have sent this yesterday, but I was otherwise engaged (read, rather busy!). So, here is the weekly reminder for those who like to keep up to date with what’s happening in the world of writing contests.Filed under: Author, Creative Writer, Prizes Tagged: Author, News, Writers Resources

Enchantment in Morocco, by Madeleine McDonald, Reviewed.

Madeleine McDonald’s book is a traditional romance set in an unusual location. Told from the points of view of the two main protagonists, the story reveals secrets about both that neither are aware of in each other. The clash of cultures and personal histories makes the possible resolution of this romance uncertain until the very […]