Author archives: cheltenhamstories.com

This week we are writing stories in the present tense. Here are some useful links: https://theeditorsblog.net/2012/01/31/narrative-tense-right-now-or-way-back-then/ https://marksarvas.blogs.com/elegvar/2007/11/present-tense-s.html https://www.writers-online.co.uk/how-to-write/creative-writing/writing-in-the-present-tense-the-good-and-the-bad/ https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/nov/21/rise-of-the-present-tense-in-fiction-hilary-mantel https://www.novel-writing-help.com/past-tense.html Some famous books were written in present tense: Bleak House (mostly), Clarissa, All Quiet on the Western Front, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Room, Bright Lights Big City, Wolf Hall, Rabbit Run, The Girl […]

We all enjoyed writing stories from a picture prompt last week, so let’s have a go working from a written prompt. I have three for you: 1. “I have to go!” he/she said, suddenly jumping up from the table. 2. Something unusual is found in a winter coat pocket. 3. You get on a bus and end […]

I’m going away for the weekend so there will be no group this week.

For next time, we’re going to try writing from a picture prompt. Find a picture and write a story prompted by it. It can be a little longer than usual because I don’t think there will be many of us. So up to about 1,500 words or so. Try and make it something with a beginning, […]

Thanks to those who came last Sunday. I enjoyed the session and found it really useful. I think I am beginning to get a handle on “showing and telling” at last. For this coming Sunday, I thought we could have a look at description. Here are a few links. On describing characters: https://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/11-secrets-to-writing-effective-character-descriptionOn describing settings: https://jerryjenkins.com/setting-of-a-story/On description generally:https://www.novel-writing-help.com/descriptive-writing-2.html On not […]

There will be no group on October 6 because the Sober Parrot is having a training day. We will be meeting as usual on October 13, when we will do the “showing and telling” exercise we were supposed to be doing on September 29. I hope that makes sense.

For the group on Sunday 29th, we’re going to have a look at the perennial topic of “showing and telling”. Remember, you need both, but they do different jobs. If you don’t always grasp the difference, here are some useful links I found: https://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/showing-and-telling-the-basics.htmlhttps://www.autocrit.com/editing/support/showing-vs-telling-indicators/https://www.novel-writing-help.com/writing-a-narrative.htmlhttps://jerichowriters.com/show-dont-tel Anyway, our exercise for next week is to write a little scene or […]

For our group on Sunday 22nd September, I thought we could try an exercise that comes from the FutureLearn course in Creative Writing that some of you may seen.  You have to write a piece about yourself, a relative, a friend, a historical figure or some subject you are interested in and it has to […]

Next Sunday we’re going to have a look at characterisation and character. As Tony rightly said, ‘characterisation’ is all the stuff about your character’s favourite colour and the books he likes to read. ‘Character’ is about what he does in a crisis. There are loads of questionnaires online to help you with characterisation. I have chosen this […]

This week Rod is going to lead a session on Writing to a Prompt. We will practise the art in the group, so there’s no need for any preparation.