Prickles on the back of my neck

I’ve been judging a short story competition. When I read a really good story, one that makes the hairs on the back of my neck prickle it is pure delight. I am not going to say how many times this happens – that would give the game away… But out of over 50 submissions I’ve now shortlisted 12. So now for the next stage, the final selection and editing.

Bank holiday – what holiday?

No holiday for me. I’ve been chained to my pc all day and writing, writing writing. Not for me queues of traffic on the M25. Not for me walking along Brighton sea front in the rain, nor shopping in packed to the gills streets. Oh no, for me it’s a writing day and I’ll party some other time when the block sets in.

Picking up the lingo

There is one compensation to having builders rip your house apart. Apart from what I hope will be a brilliant job when all’s finished! Snatched conversations, builder’s lingo – all fodder for writing – have no idea what, but there must be something there…surely?