Apologies to those who have already read this story. I realised today I had mistakenly put it in the Trash. It has been revived. It started on a Tuesday in September. She was in the shower, lathering up, pondering the day to come, when she happened to look down at her hands as they moved up…
Jasper the despot cat
I love cats. I own two - Samantha and Lucy - and our neighbourhood is full of them. There is only one, however, of note: Jasper, the cat next door. He's huge. He's intimidating. He scares the living bejesus out of my two poor little girls. You always know when he's coming because, incongruously, this huge boy wears…
The Writer
I wrote this story to be the "anchor" of a short story collection which is still a work in progress. Each story can stand alone and be read as a complete piece, but they are all linked to this one – in some cases so subtly that the reader may have to search for the connection.…
Experiencing Samoa
It's been a while since my last post. Apologies. School holidays tend to put the brakes on any writing urges (and opportunities). I'm back with a vengeance now though, teaming with new ideas. You'll be sick of me before too long. Another reason behind the writing hiatus was a trip to Samoa. I had wanted to…
Unblocking Writer’s Block
Oh God. I can't think of a single word to write.
Fancy Feet
I went to my daughter's school today to watch the annual Book Week parade. I was amazed. Every single teacher and child had dressed up as a character out of a book, with a focus on Heroes and Villains. Ella had decided to be a doctor ("Doctors are heroes because they help people, Mummy"), and very proudly…
Our Father
I wrote this story after someone close to me had died. I held this person's hand as they passed. I wanted to capture the profoundness of that moment. When I was little, just before bedtime, my mother used to wrap me in my dressing gown and take me outside to see the stars. “Who made them?”…
Want to be a Better Writer? 3 Vital Tips
I've lost count of the number of websites/blogs/books/articles instructing aspiring writers on how to learn their craft and be better at it. I suspect it's easier to spend your time reading all this advice and solemnly nodding your head in agreement than it is to actually do the hard yards in front of your computer…
Three
This was originally going to be a three-part short story, the first part told from the woman's viewpoint, the second from the man's, the third from the nurse's. I stopped after the first. It felt like enough. Maybe one day I'll finish it. The Woman First, the gift of the anonymous gown, stiff with cheap…
Thank you for those beautiful years
My daughter started school a few weeks ago. I knew it was going to be a huge step for both of us, and in the months and weeks leading up to her first day I tried to prepare us both as best I could. When the big moment came we were both excited, but nervous. To me…
Patricia Bell, Author 