The latest of ‘365 Days of Writing Prompts’ invites us to “write a post in the style of (or simply inspired by) a favourite author”. However, rather than lay ourselves open to charges of plagiarism (and, even worse, doubtless poorly-executed plagiarism at that) we decided instead on a departure from the normal diet of self-obsessed twaddle. So today for the first…
What is it with ‘selfies’? Why do so many people feel the need to remind themselves constantly of what they look like? Personally, that couple of minutes twice a day looking in the bathroom mirror while brushing my teeth is more than sufficient for me to keep the old memory banks topped up, self-image wise. I’m pretty sure I’d…
Today is my 40th wedding anniversary. So how appropriate that ‘365 Days of Writing Prompts’ should come up, on this particular date, with an invitation to “Describe what it feels like to…see a stunning piece of art”. I’m afraid I couldn’t even begin to describe what it feels like to see this stunning masterpiece of nature…
For someone who goes out of his way to disavow any interest in ‘fashion’, the subject of clothing does seem to crop up quite often, albeit randomly, in this collection of ramblings. So perhaps it’s time to give the subject its own post, especially as the latest of ‘365 Days of Writing Prompts’ provides a…
‘Is there junk in your life?’ asks the latest of ‘365 Days of Writing Prompts.’ Well of course there is. ‘Junk’- in all its burgeoning variety of forms – is an inescapable adjunct to modern life. Some – maybe even most – junk doesn’t start out that way: it’s simply stuff that gets overtaken by events, or…
Examine my sleeve as closely as you will: you’ll never find my heart on it. I’m not, by nature, particularly demonstrative. This doesn’t mean I lack feelings (far from it), simply that making a fuss – thereby, shock horror, drawing attention to myself – doesn’t come easily, and certainly not naturally. Now, I’m well aware that being low-key can sometimes…
You know what they say: ‘a happy customer might tell a friend, but an unhappy one will tell the world.’ Well, guess what? I don’t pretend that this blog has global reach, but I can’t resist the opportunity afforded by this latest of ‘365 Days of Writing Prompts’: “Are you being served? What’s the most…
Every so often, WordPress comes up with a daily prompt that’s quite irresistible, and a couple of days ago they offered up an absolute beauty. “Your blog is being turned into an audiobook. If you could choose anyone to narrate your posts, who would it be?” This fits in neatly with one of their earlier…
Today, WordPress’ ‘365 Days of Writing Prompts’ seems to want me to attach some kind of cosmic significance to toys: “Toy story. What was your favourite plaything as a child? Do you see any connection between your life now and your favourite childhood toy?” My childhood wasn’t deprived in any way, and I always had plenty…
Today, ‘365 Days of Writing Prompts’ wants to know: “What’s the one luxury you can’t live without?” Well, let’s get the pedantry out of the way first, shall we? By definition, a luxury is something you can live without: ‘a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living…
the only deadhead in the hameau 