A Step Closer

This is a very helpful book. If I could stir myself to follow Esther’s advice, I would be a successful writer.
See my review here: https://lancegreenfield.wordpress.com/2020/12/06/book-review-publication-guaranteed-well-almost-by-esther-chilton/

estherchiltonblog

A long, long time ago (well, not that long ago really), my how-to book, Publication Guaranteed (well, almost!) came out as an ebook. Many of you asked if there would be a paperback version. Yes, I replied. It’ll be out soon.

Two years on, we’re almost there. Why has it taken so long? you may ask. There are too many reasons to mention, including formatting issues, health problems, a house move, new baby (not mine!) and many other trials and tribulations. But the proof copy is on its way, so hopefully it’ll be available to buy in days (ish. I’m not tempting fate!).

Want to know more about it? Here’s the blurb:

Fed up with rejection after rejection? Not sure how to target the right market, or what to write about?

Writers Bureau tutor, editor and freelance writer, Esther Chilton takes you through the necessary steps to gain publication…

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Beep…Beep…Beep… By Terveen Gill

Skillfully written. I can feel this. It makes me very emotional.

Gobblers & Masticadores

I’m all alone.

Day – night seem the same. I’m always engulfed by a sharp, white light.

I still haven’t warmed up to this hospital bed.

Home is a distant memory. One I dream about with my eyes open and closed. It seems cheerier than I knew it to be. Maybe time has blurred the sadness. Perhaps my present is bleaker.

I’ve not breathed on my own in days. It could be weeks before I can. Or I just might not survive this. Hence, no breathing required.

The nurses, their kind faces, drift in and out like a haze. They check my vitals, note down readings, ensure the tubes are in place. A needly prick here and there, reassuring pats, supportive words.

It could be my imagination, but it often feels like I’m not here.

The doctors come and go, adjusting and readjusting my medicines. Their latex fingers upon my…

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Writing Magazine – May 2022 – Poetry Workshop

I am really chuffed that my poem Your Driver Cries and the poem that I wrote in the moment, from which is was derived, The Last High and Low of a Mouse, are featured in the poetry workshop in May’s edition of Writing Magazine.

Alison Chisholm does a great job in her analysis and accompanying article. I hope that you enjoy both poems and Alison’s two-page workshop.

#poetry#deliverydriver#ocado#roadkill

Confess your nicknames

Recent events in my life have prompted me to reblog this post.

I would be interested in your thoughts and your own experiences.

Write to Inspire

Throughout our lives, our friends and acquaintances stick labels on us: nicknames.

Some we like, and some we don’t.

My own experience tells me that the cruellest, least wanted, nicknames are foisted upon us during our school days.

When I was an officer cadet at HMS Conway, a naval school in North Wales, I was called Dithers. I absolutely hated that! It was because I was in the habit of injecting nervous “Ums” and “Ers” into my speech. My shipmates were merciless in their teasing, even making out that I had a “King’s Speech” stutter. It was awful!

People who have known me more recently would be surprised. I am often told that I am a natural public speaker. I’ve had great feedback on the way that I spoke at the recent UK Southern African Culture Workshop in London. Click on the link to listen from minute 10:21…

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Can You Tell A Story In…

If you haven’t had a go at Esther’s challenges before, why not have a go right now. I am sure that you’ll have a lot of fun creating five-word stories, headlines, prompts, slogans, anything you like, using her one word prompt: COOK.

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It’s Thursday once again and that means five-word story time. Your new word is:

COOK

So can you tell a story in five words using the word COOK in it somewhere?

Last week’s word was SUGAR. Here are your SUGARY stories:

Annette Rochelle Aben:

Kicked sugar to the curb.

Darlene:

Don´t forget the sugar, dear.

Heart of sugar and spice.

Sola:

Sugar, your sweetness is addictive.

“Hold the sugar, honey’s better.”

“I’ve got sugar,” Tola smirked.

“Take me to Sugar Pandemonium.”

Keith Channing:

Some Uninvited Gentlemen Annoy Regulars.

EDCWriting:

Sugar? Don’t sweet talk me!

Kim Smyth:

Sugar is addictive as heroin.

Avoiding sugar is nearly impossible.

Sugar is in almost everything!

Sugar free is much healthier.

(Sugar is so tasty though.)

Lance Greenfield:

Warning: contains milk and sugar.

Sugar icing on cake is disgusting.

Sugaring sensitive areas…

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Missing something?

If you came here looking for Esther’s regular challenges, I have handed them back into her much more capable hands. It was a lot of fun while it lasted.

Hop straight across to her first challenge of 2022. It’s a Laugh-along-a-Limerick starring the single word prompt: BACK.

Eshter’s back! Hurrah!

Esther’s back on board!

Esther’s Challenge – Can You Tell A Story In . . .

It is the final Thursday of 2021 and time for the last five-word story challenge of the year from Esther Chilton. 

This is an open invitation to all of my followers and Esther’s to have some fun with words.

Today, Esther’s challenge to you is to tell a story in five words, using the word BUSH in it somewhere.

Lance and Esther

As this is my last day in the saddle before handing the reins of these challenges back their rightful owner, I have taken the liberty of giving you eight starters, the first three of which mention my Dad, Bony Tony.

Bony Tony loved Millbush Farm

Bony Tony hid in bush

Bony Tony supped Bushmills whiskey

Silkworms beautify delicious mulberry bush

Lushest bush yields juiciest fruits

Moses ignited the burning bush

Shimmering gossamer envelopes curvaceous bush

Graphite bushes provide self-lubricated contacts

There may be more to come from me on this post as the week, and the year, rolls on.

Please post your submissions in the Comments on this post.

Esther’s Challenge – Laugh-along-a-Limerick

Happy Monday to you all and welcome to the final week of 2021 and to Esther Chilton’s regular kick-off-the-week challenge.

I have been honoured to be given the custody of Esther’s challenges for the last few months while she recovers from shoulder surgery. She is now well enough to take back control in the New Year, so this is my final week.

As a reward for taking care of her challenge posts, Esther has allowed me to choose the one word prompts for both posts this week.

Lance and Esther

My first word is BROW.

So, are you able to write a limerick using the word BROW in it somewhere which will amuse the rest of us?

We’d really like to end year on a huge COL: Chuckle Out Loud. That’s so much better than the more common LOL, don’t you think?

So write a limerick that will send us riding into 2022 on the crest of a COLossal COL.

If you prefer to side-step the weekly prompt, please feel free to ignore our prompt and write a limerick to suit your current mood and feelings. Just let it flow. Delight us all with your creativity.

Post your submissions in the Comments on this post

Esther’s Challenge – Can You Tell A Story In . . .

It is the eve of Christmas Eve and time for your latest five-word story challenge from Esther Chilton. 

This is an open invitation to all of my followers and Esther’s to have some fun with words.

In line with the season of festivities, Esther’s one-word prompt for today’s challenge is CHRISTMAS. So, can you tell a story in five words using the word CHRISTMAS in it somewhere.

Here are a few starters for you:

Christmas cracker made me laugh

Christmas pudding should be fruity

Black bun makes my Christmas

What is your Christmas tipple?

Please post your submissions in the Comments on this post.

Esther Chilton

Esther’s Challenge – Laugh-along-a-Limerick

Happy Monday to you all and welcome to Christmas week and to Esther Chilton’s regular kick-off-the-week challenge.

We had a lot of fun last week, composing limericks that contained the word SLIP.

This week, Esther’s one word prompt for our limericks is SANTA. So, are you able to write a limerick using the word SANTA in it somewhere which will amuse the rest of us?

The big question on my lips is, “Will you be good or will you be naughty?” The filling of your Christmas stocking could rest on your answer!

If you prefer to side-step the weekly prompt, avoiding difficult questions from SANTA, please feel free to ignore our prompt and write a limerick to suit your current mood and feelings. Just let it flow. Delight us all with your creativity.

Post your submissions in the Comments on this post

Esther Chilton