Writing - Alternatives

 Sources of inspiration can be the source of blocks. There is a well of possible scenarios that are quite easily accessible and open to interpretation. Disney. There are many parts of stories beautifully produced by the Disney Corporation that could give you food for your story-writing journey. 

Robin Hood 1973 

The 1973 version of Robin Hood with animals as the stars may provide snippets that you can utilise. Then there are straight stories like Oliver Twist, from which you could extract and embellish sections. 

Oliver Twist 

There are a number of options; 

1. The Rise of Bill Sykes and Nancy, 

2. The nefarious deeds of Mr and Mrs Bumble. 

3. The demise of Oliver's mother and how he came to be in the workhouse. 

Just a few accessible opportunities. Of course, you don't have to stick to films to derive sources. Almost anything you have read can be of use. I would even go so far as to say that could be true of a technical article; it may stretch the imagination, but nothing wrong in that.

God Bless 

Writing -- Art of Brevity

 The subject of the short story has been selected, the initial incident described, and now you have to decide what to actually include, what level of description of the characters you need to include, and what you need to leave out. 

You’re not going to write a short story in the style of Charles Dickens. You are looking to get your message across in 1000 to 5000 words, probably no more than that. So, pictorially rich descriptions of places and people are going to slow the pace. However, you’d still need to include enough information to keep the reader interested and for the story to make sense, and as I’ve said many times before, that is the dilemma for the writer. 

Writing is very much about decision-making, and in this case of short stories, continual decision-making. Putting in essential information to maintain a strong atmosphere is something you’ve to keep up with throughout the length of the tale itself, so probably more than in a full-length novel you’re going to be re-reading section by section as you actually proceed. My own experience is to be rather too succinct; I’ve written many tiny little stories of between 750 and 1000 words, which may seem too little but actually still works. I’m currently reading a book whose chapters are about that length, and the actual story itself feels a little jerky as a result. When you're writing a short story, that is all you have: you've just got that little space, that little collection of words through which to transmit your message. To allow yourself to fall into the trap of wordy descriptions is to change the pace of what you're writing. The important thing is to be interesting and keep the structure tight.

One way of ensuring a tight structure is to limit the scope of the story; for example, I wrote a story about a teddy bear in the night and stuck very much to a few short hours of darkness and some rather creepy action, but it was limited to the teddy bear that developed a life of its own and the little boy who was the teddy bear's owner. A second example would be a slightly longer short story which is about an assassin, and it was very much about him and limited to his immediate experiences; very few significant others were introduced into that story again to keep the actual structure as tight as I possibly could within the time available. 

 Keep the balance. 

God Bless 

 

 

Writing - Scenarios

 Writing allows you to explore the imagination as well as your personal experiences. In fact, you can grab many opportunities to flex your writing muscle. The idea below was manufactured and is good practice for a variety of scenarios.

TWILIGHT

 

There’s something quite magical sitting outside on a warm summer's evening at the end of the day. Hearing the occasional car taking someone home after a long day,  and a train uttering its mechanical litany through the valley on a journey to wherever.

The air is still and cool but comfortable.  Solar-powered garden lights glow gently amongst dark flowers that will burst out bright in tomorrow's sunlight.

There is little that moves. A dark flitting shadow streaking across the eyeline  - a hunting bat. 

Although I didn't always write a paragraph describing every scenario I've used in the creation of the Steele novels, I have very detailed memories that I'm fortunate enough to be able to recall. It might be that some writers create a database of such snippets, and it could be useful for stories and articles. 

This exercise also provides me with spines for some of the poetry that I write. 

God Bless 

Poetry Thursday 138 - Easter Bunny

 A fun time of year that is more of a new beginning than the turn of the year. 

Easter Bunny

 

A happy time from tragedy,

applied to the cute and cuddly,

whether it be rabbits or chicks,

the intention to sell chocolate bricks.

 

Supposedly a sign of rebirth,

mood lightening from dark winter’s dearth,

but really another opportunity for selling,

obscuring the message’s true meaning.

 

Opportunity to embrace newness again,

a natural world’s living campaign,

to protect our planet and save the future,

from the actions of the current caretaker.

 

Appealing to the fondness of the children,

with creatures and confectionery distraction,

hoping they will enjoy the reward,

and become more efficient landlord.

 ©David L Atkinson April 2026 

God Bless 

Writing - Writing CEO

 There’s one certain thing, and that is that you are the CEO of your own work, so you could make whatever artistic decisions you wish. I approached last week the idea of when and when not to include copious details in your work, on the fact that too much at the wrong time could actually slow the pace. It would seem that by suggesting that you are the CEO, it doesn't matter when or where you put the details, but the rules are just the same. Too much detail kind of slows the pace of your story; not enough detail may detract from interest in the story.

 

However, as the CEO of your own work, you have the right to make decisions without reference to anybody else. It is nice when you are given positive feedback and advice, but as in all aspects of life, you can choose to ignore advice, irrespective of how good it is. Being your own CEO allows you total freedom of expression.

 

Freedom of expression is the gift that writing gives you. You can change the details of existing situations, adjust timelines and time scales, and be as futuristic as you wish to be, among other things. This is only limited by your imagination. It should be the source of inspiration for your writing. What I’m saying is you can write whatever you like, and no one else has the right to deny you in your wishes. Of course, if you wish to sell books, it may be necessary to take current trends into consideration. 

God Bless 

 

Poetry Thursday 115 - Shadowlands 2 & 3

 Continuing the theme of fear of darkness, I have written two poems this week, hence Shadowlands 2 & 3. The real reason there are two is that the first didn't fulfill what I wanted it to. At the same time, I liked the first poem, and so rather than edit until I was happy, I started again. 

Shadowland2 

 

Shadows are ubiquitous, 

shadows are friendly, 

shadows share all languages,   

but shadows are benign.  

 

Shadows are trustworthy,  

shadows are gentle,  

shadows protect,  

shadows are velvet. 

 

Shadows are energy,  

shadows can change, 

shadows are Schrödinger's cat,  

shadows have deity.  

 

Shadows collect together,  

shadows save,  

shadows capture light, 

shadows confound Cox.  

©David L Atkinson October 2025 

Having been to college I, like many students, had the time to indulge myself in some divergent thinking. This included considering Schrödinger's Cat philosophy and other similar unconventional ideas.

Tonight  

 

When the lights go dim,  

eyes adjust from electric glare,  

soft furnishings hold your form,  

open wide and lie and stare.  

 

They are awakened and watching,  

aware and checking the room,  

for hazards or threats pending,  

you're ok – safe to assume.  

 

Shapes begin to clarify,  

you can pick out a familiar thing,  

but the outlines don’t quite justify,  

shadows distort the viewing.  

  

But the shadows are there to protect,  

to detain a perceived threat,  

to scan, absorb and eject,  

so close eyes, breathe deep and forget.  

©David L Atkinson October 2025 

God Bless