Penstricken
Andrew Ferguson – Author
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Mystery Clichés and How to Avoid Them
Posted on May 5, 2021 Leave a Comment
Mystery Clichés and How to Avoid Them #NewPost #fiction #stories #writing #writetip #writingtip #amwriting #genre #mystery
Fantasy Clichés and How to Avoid Them
Posted on May 4, 2021 Leave a Comment
Well, it’s been a while since I’ve done a series of posts on any subject so I decided it was about time for another one: this time focusing on all your favourite genre clichés and how to avoid them.
Get Your Copy of Penstricken: Collected Stories!
Posted on May 1, 2021 Leave a Comment
There are short stories, there are very short stories and then there is flash fiction: the delicate and often tricky art of telling a story in as few words as possible.The stories in this tiny little book (all originally published between 2015 and 2020 on the fiction blog, Penstricken) are deliberate exercises in brevity.
In total, this book contains twelve flash fictions ranging from fifty to 2,000 words apiece, plus six collections of six word stories.
While these stories vary in mood and genre, you will find in many that the author’s tongue was firmly entrenched in his cheek; whether it be in the brief tale of a Martian liberating his ‘kin’ from the deep fat fryer of a Glasgow chip shop or the nightmarish tragedy of Santa Claus’ true genesis, Penstricken: Collected Stories is a brief snapshot of one writer’s meandering imagination.
Super Snappy Speed Reviews: Children’s Books Edition
Posted on April 22, 2021 Leave a Comment
I might have mentioned once or twice before that I have a little daughter….
‘And so,’ my wife suggested, ‘why not write a Super Snappy Speed Reviews post about books for children?’
On Character Traits
Posted on April 20, 2021 Leave a Comment
Let your reader get to know Dave by experiencing Dave, not simply being told about Dave.
Juggling Multiple Writing Projects
Posted on April 19, 2021 Leave a Comment
You’re committed. Dedicated. Come what may, you’re getting this novel done, just by plodding along one word at a time.
Plod, plod… plod…
But then suddenly:
‘I say! Who’s that smokin’ hot piece of brand new idea?’
Pants, Plants and Plans: A Beginner’s Guide
Posted on April 17, 2021 Leave a Comment
If you’re struggling with whatever method comes naturally to you, it may be time to try a different approach. And so, what follows is my own concise analysis of each approach, comparing pros and cons as evenly as I can.
App Review: Goodreads Android App 2.0.2
Posted on April 16, 2021 Leave a Comment
Anyway, today I got an email asking me to download the new and improved Goodreads App.
‘Yes, I will.’ I thought. ‘And then I’ll tell all my faithful readers exactly what I thought of it, mwahaha!’
Theme: The Truth Behind the Tale
Posted on April 12, 2021 Leave a Comment
What fundamental truth(s) are you conveying in your idle fantasy? What aspects of real life are you exploring? And equally as important, how are you conveying that truth?
Author Interview: Sharleen Nelson (part 2 of 2)
Posted on April 9, 2021 Leave a Comment
I had the pleasure of interviewing Sharleen, whose debut novel The Time Tourists is available to buy on Amazon and other retail outlets. This is the second half of that interview.
Penstricken 