The annual Weston-Super-Mare trip has been a family tradition for fifty years. It follows the same routine, come rain or shine: crazy golf, the pier, chips on the beach, sandcastles and a paddle. But my favourite part comes after the other day trippers have left. We walk up to the rock pools where we watch… Continue reading Seaside Memories
Author: Barbed Words
Day of the Badger: Part 3
The story written by Suzanne and me continues. Amber and Moira are holed up in Moira's office whilst they wait for back-up: ‘Here you go.’ Moira interrupted her thoughts, handing Amber a mug of tea and a chocolate biscuit before sitting next to her on the floor. ‘I didn’t think you’d take sugar, hope that’s… Continue reading Day of the Badger: Part 3
Time for Tea
The story written by Suzanne and me continues. Moira and Amber are hiding in the dark alley, whilst George waits at one end. Day of the Badger (Part 2) Amber would just have to leave the flash-drive in its precarious position and hope George didn’t spot it. ‘We need to get out of here,’ Amber… Continue reading Time for Tea
Every Day I (Mean to) Write the Book
As part of my ongoing battle to write more, I've forced persuaded my lovely friend, and extremely talented and prolific writer, Suzanne Rogerson to take part in a writing tag-team. One of us writes a section of this spy/crime/thriller/Killing Eve rip off, then emails it to the other to continue the story. I'm really enjoying… Continue reading Every Day I (Mean to) Write the Book
Close to You
Okay, I'm trying to get back into writing (again) with the help of my friend, Dawn, who's training to be a life coach. Obviously, I'm taking full advantage of the free sessions she needs to do to pass her course... So, in the smallest first step ever, here is a new Three Line Tale: 'Frank?'… Continue reading Close to You
You’ll Never Walk Alone: Promoting a Charity Walk for Cancer Research UK
I do like to blog regularly so it must be time for my yearly post...hmmm, not hard to see why those Blogger of the Year awards aren't flying in my direction. Anyhoo, I've been busy. Really busy. As well as doing a day job as a Weddings Coordinator (which can be surprisingly stressful - they… Continue reading You’ll Never Walk Alone: Promoting a Charity Walk for Cancer Research UK
Here I Go Again…
It's been A WHOLE YEAR since I last visited Barbed Words. In my defence, it's been a very busy year. I moved house, changed jobs...actually, that's pretty much it so, let's face it, I've just been rubbish. Anyway, not much writing has occurred, despite having joined a new writing club. Unless writing Twitter posts count?… Continue reading Here I Go Again…
It’s That Time Again #NaNoWriMo
And, 'Hello NaNoWriMo'. 50,000 words in one month. Both my novels have mainly been written in a mad frenzy in November. Can I pull it off again??
Busy (Not) Doin’ Nothin’
I was starting to get a bit full of myself, posting once or twice a week, but the organisers of the Least Prolific Blogger of the Year awards have been in touch and I needed to rein it in a bit if I was to retain my title. So blog silence for a few weeks.… Continue reading Busy (Not) Doin’ Nothin’
Don’t Go Breaking My ‘Art… #3LineTales
Back to work tomorrow...noooooooooo! How is possible that I didn't win the lottery or get snapped up by an agent in the last six weeks?? The summer has flown by, mostly spent editing the finer details of my murder mystery (would you flee the country if you thought your witness protection identity had been blown?) and writing lots of… Continue reading Don’t Go Breaking My ‘Art… #3LineTales
Keeper of the Castle #FridayFictioneers
‘Oh my god! I swear I just saw a face at that window! Oooh, maybe the castle’s haunted?’ Tiff gave a theatrical shiver. ‘Or maybe you’ve been watching too much Supernatural?’ said Chloe. ‘Let’s go in and have a look round. Look, that doorway over there isn’t boarded up properly.’ ‘Bloody hell!’ Tiff stepped in… Continue reading Keeper of the Castle #FridayFictioneers
Harry Potter and the Slightly Impressed Teens
My youngest daughter has just finished the Harry Potter series so we booked tickets for The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Or Harry Potter and The Amazing Money Vanishing Spell as I prefer to call it. We thought it would be a fabulous family day out so off we went. Of course,… Continue reading Harry Potter and the Slightly Impressed Teens
Merry Christmas? #3LineTales
It's been a busy few weeks while we've been off for the summer holidays. I sent my children's book to several agents...I can now consider myself alongside the likes of JK Rowling as I've had my first rejection email! Woohoo! I'm currently working on a 'cosy mystery' novel, trying to fix some major plot holes… Continue reading Merry Christmas? #3LineTales
Stop the World – I Want to Get Off
I've had enough. I really have. The world seems to be on a downward dash to destruction and/or insanity. From falling sperm counts, acid attacks and pay rows to Trump, May and the ongoing Brexit saga. But what has really got my goat in the last week or so is pubic hair. Or, rather, the… Continue reading Stop the World – I Want to Get Off
Thinking About You
‘A party?? No way; you’ve got exams coming up. You need to start buckling down and thinking about your future.’ I stopped the car and Lizzy opened the passenger door. ‘Oh my god, you won’t let me do anything. I hate you!’ She slammed the door and, dragging her rucksack on the ground behind her,… Continue reading Thinking About You
Heart of Rome
Rio was banging on again about his favourite topic: himself. ‘Obviously, I’m the principal figure as I represent America.’ ‘I’m sick of your incessant claptrap,’ said Dan. 'You won't be so important once a tangerine buffoon destroys your precious America.' 'That's the leader of the free world you're talking about. Just watch your goddamn mouth.' 'Surely Angela Merkel’s… Continue reading Heart of Rome
U Got The Look #3linetales
Honestly, what did I do before I discovered writing prompts?? It's great, I never have to think about what to post anymore. Mind you, it does mean that I haven't written much about all the incredibly exciting things that have been going on in my life recently...exciting things like work (ugh), cooking (ugh), washing-up (ugh), shopping (ugh). … Continue reading U Got The Look #3linetales
Spiteful #SixWordStoryChallenge
A quick Six Word Story. The prompt was Spiteful. Anyone who has teenagers will know how much this has gotta hurt: I refused her the WiFi password.
Another One Bites the Dust…Worst Honeymoon Ever #FridayFictioneers #flashfiction
'I knew those bloody snails were a mistake,' croaked Benjy’s new stepfather from the ensuite before vomiting again. 'I had them and I’m fine,' said Mum. ‘Maybe it was all that brandy?’ Benjy bounced out of bed and grabbed a book. 'Read me Wimpy Kid!' 'Wow, you’re hyper. Did you take your meds?' Benjy nodded.… Continue reading Another One Bites the Dust…Worst Honeymoon Ever #FridayFictioneers #flashfiction
A is for Award #AgghStopThat
The best thing about the A-Z Challenge is finding new blogging pals, such as Outside Perception who has nominated me for the Mystery Blogger Award. Thanks very much ☺ As part of the award, first I have to reveal three things about myself: I was part of the team who developed the Poking Tunnel™ My favourite breakfast… Continue reading A is for Award #AgghStopThat
Z is for Zythum #AtoZChallenge #AncientEgyptians #TimeTravel
Phew, made it to the end. It’s been quite frazzling and a couple of posts may have been a tad below par (Happiness, anyone?) but I still managed to cover every letter. Even if there were an awful lot of TV related posts. Hey, I like TV. Zythum is a beer drunk by Ancient Egyptians. You… Continue reading Z is for Zythum #AtoZChallenge #AncientEgyptians #TimeTravel
Y is for (Best of) You: Why I love Dave Grohl #AtoZChallenge #FooFighters #DaveGrohl
Reason 1. Just because: Reason 2. The music, man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_L4Rixya64 Reason 3. Dave doesn't care about looking ridiculous: Reason 4. Dave loves his mum. And she's just written a book all about how to raise a rock star: Reason 5. Even after he breaks his leg on stage, he carries on playing - whilst they plaster… Continue reading Y is for (Best of) You: Why I love Dave Grohl #AtoZChallenge #FooFighters #DaveGrohl
X is for eXhausted equals eXisting Content: Summer of 83 #AtoZChallenge
I was struggling to find a post for X. It's been a busy week at work, I've been unwell and I was knackered. So I decided to cheat. You've got an defective title and an old piece about the local pool that I dug up from a writing course. Enjoy. The summer of 1983. No rain for two… Continue reading X is for eXhausted equals eXisting Content: Summer of 83 #AtoZChallenge
W is for The Wedding #AtoZChallenge
The bride and groom leave the church. The bride looks lovely, as all brides do, but this one is especially beautiful. Ignoring the ‘no confetti’ signs, the guests throw handfuls into the frosty air, where it dances like snowflakes. The groom catches hold of his bride’s hand and lifts it to his lips. ‘Happy?’ he… Continue reading W is for The Wedding #AtoZChallenge
V is for (Silicon) Valley #AtoZChallenge #siliconvalley
Ok, ok, so it’s another post on a TV programme. I really don’t watch that much TV. Honestly. It's more that I only like to watch good TV that's worth talking about: carefully selected dramas or comedies. No soaps; no shows about DIY, cooking or babies (with the exception of Bake Off); and no shows that… Continue reading V is for (Silicon) Valley #AtoZChallenge #siliconvalley
