Recently, we were given a series of 'challenges' or constraints within which to write a short piece of less than 600 words. I combined a number of these into a single piece: No use of the word "the"; No use of the letter "o" (I also made that an exclusion of any words with apostrophes … Continue reading “Waiting”
Category: Blog
“Granta – 139”
A little while ago I took out a subscription for "Granta". It's a great way to be encouraged every quarter to read something you might otherwise not. In #139, the theme was "Best of Young American Novelists (3)" - a series they produce about every 10 years or so. There's also a "Best of" for … Continue reading “Granta – 139”
The Fortune Teller
She couldn’t remember what they were called until her daughter told her: ‘Chatterboxes’ or ‘Fortune Tellers’. And then, flushed with the pride of being able to create something sophisticated, showed her mother how to make one. Alone now, she tried it out, inserting fingers into the appropriate spaces, then opening, and closing the petals as … Continue reading The Fortune Teller
“Wallpaper (2)” – 100-word challenge
They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. She knew that. But when faced with such a scene, how was it possible not to judge, to draw conclusions? They tell men to look at the mother before marrying the daughter; perhaps, they should tell women to examine their betrothed’s bachelor pad before taking … Continue reading “Wallpaper (2)” – 100-word challenge
“Thirteen Reasons Why”
I have just finished reading "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher. I have to say that for the first time in a long time, I have come across a book that begs to be read in a single sitting. Where it would be fitting, indeed, in the context of the story, to do so; it … Continue reading “Thirteen Reasons Why”
“The Tobacconist”
I have just finished reading Robert Seethaler's excellent little novel, "The Tobacconist". Highly recommended. Reading
Minor trumpet blowing…
A couple of months ago I entered a poetry competition, and the results are just out. There were a total of 1,305 entries - and I was 'long listed'! I didn't make it to the short- or prize-list - and to be honest, I didn't expect to - but I'm pleased to have made it … Continue reading Minor trumpet blowing…
Anything’s possible?
At my local Writers' Group, we were given the challenge of producing a story that had to contain the following six words: rules, postman, lamb, cripple, shotgun and sixpence. To make it harder, I thought I would try and do so within the constraints of 100 words. Here's the super-short story output (99 words): When … Continue reading Anything’s possible?
“Wallpaper (1)” – 100-word challenge
Everything in the room was geometric, straight. The wallpaper, a blur of triangles - white, three shades of grey, and amber - set the tone. Close up, the shapes were hypnotic, but as a backdrop they became a blend that accented the sharp, minimal, functional Ikea furniture (all in white, grey and black). There were … Continue reading “Wallpaper (1)” – 100-word challenge
Out of the woods…
At the beginning of the year I tried to articulate my goals for 2017, including the things I intended to be working on [see the various pages in the 'Work in Progress' section of this site]. One of the major items was the rather fetchingly titled project, "2017 - H1"; essentially a selection of work I may … Continue reading Out of the woods…
Ian Gouge - Writer 