Do you come here often?

Your story-telling style is witty, keep up the good work! Your story-telling style is bravo, keep doing what you`re doing! Your writing style is witty, keep it up! Your story-telling style is bravo, keep up the good work! Your story-telling style is spectacular, keep up the good work! Your humoristic style is bravo, keep it […]

An encouraging word for a hypocrite

I ranted commented previously about one line dismissals of stories, and how hard it can be to work out what they mean. I am such a hypocrite. I get another one line critique with a rejection and I am very happy about it. I like the mood this piece evokes, but overall I felt it […]

David’s tip of the day

Walking down the street the other day, I decided to travel down the lane less taken, and this is what I came across: words to live by. Good advice to the youth of today. After all, no matter how rebellious you may feel, think about it: do you really want to let the rats in? […]

One of many reasons I love Tim Powers

The real reason to write fiction, after all, isn’t to make money, nor to show the human heart in conflict with itself, nor to give a picture of one’s time, nor to call attention to the plight of any oppressed classes, but to show off. You want to be able to say to visitors, “Sit […]

No Lions please, we’re British

You have to (yes, it is compulsory) love a book that includes the following: a section on the reintroduction of vanished species to Britain; in that section, a table naming species with an estimated date of extinction in Britain; a rating of their suitability for reintroduction; a heading, “Reintroduction efforts so far”; an entry simply […]

A very good month

Hello David, Congratulations! Your story ‘Avoiding Gagarin’ has been accepted for publication … That makes me a very happy old builder. Second acceptance for the month … year … century … Details to follow …

Stay well

Mission statements, aspirational goals, EAP, policy compliance. On the one hand, box ticking. On the other, reality. It is very hard to suffer from a disease that doesn’t officially exist in your country, and is mostly ignored by the medical profession.

SURPRISE

SURPRISE Cancer too is a prize You don’t have to queue at the newsagent’s to buy a ticket. They slip it in with the teddy bear, the Beatrix Potter china setting, the first photograph album, unnoticed. The final draw may be foreshadowed in the missed stitch in the booties grandma made put aside, only used […]