My thoughts about books, writing, life and so many other things….Judy Leigh/ Elena Collins.
I belong to a wonderful writing group, in which writers' work of all genres is celebrated each month. The standard of writing is astonishingly high and I always come away feeling supported by others and in awe of their work. This is something I wrote for our last meeting. I don't have much time as …
Here's a story I wrote for Solitary Writers, the group I belong to. It might form the basis for somethng else one day. I hope you enjoy it. A Railway Station... A railway station late at night is a desolate place. This one’s no different, with its high metal structure arcing above, solitary pigeons rising …
This story is one that is still told in the West Country, while families and friends sit around log fires, staring into the flames. It is a tale of the old ways and the old folk that were our ancestors, many years ago. It began with a hunter, a young man, tall and broad, with …
Here's a short story I wrote. It's a sad one...
I enjoy writing for specific events or audiences, as there is a kind of precision and framework to be considered. It's quite an interesting mental exercise when you have a word limit, or when you have to create something for a specific genre. I like writing newspaper or magazine articles, poems, speeches, plays, all of …
Continue reading The excitement of writing for a competition…
It's rare that I write about myself. In my novels, characters and situations are imaginary. I rarely bring myself into what I write, although I include what I know and if I don't, my ideas will be inspired by other people or based on research. Many of my older characters have something of the inspirational …
Here's a short story I wrote recenty about lockdown. I know a lot of people are by themselves, in flats where they have no access to outdoor spaces. Thinking of what it must be like to be in that situation, I wrote a few lines. The First Floor Flat Outside is bleak. Inside is quiet, …
A while ago I wrote a scary story, Gone Away. This week, actor Julie Mullen read it on the radio. It is such a privilege to have my work featured on The Word Cafe, SoundArt Radio. Julie is a talent: actor, poet, singer, painter, she is the compere and organiser of workshops and Word Cafe …
Continue reading Gone Away: my scary story read by Julie on the radio
On Mother's Day, we remember our Mums with love and we give thanks for all they have done for us. Many of us don't have our Mums any more and feel quite sad that maybe we did not say thank you enough at the time and it's a bit late now. I often think about how great …
That quintessence of dust 