literature | Penstricken

8 Great Fiction and Writing Blogs

Posted on June 13, 2021 Leave a Comment

It’s that time again, when I take a few steps back from the fore to put the spotlight on some of my favourite posts from other fiction and writing blogs around the web.

10 Great Book Reviews

Posted on June 1, 2021 Leave a Comment

Today I’ve decided to share a few book reviews I’ve read from my fellow bloggers over the last few days.

6 Things I’ve Learned About Writing Fiction

Posted on May 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

Today I’ve decided to share a brief selection of some of the lessons I’ve learned over the years which I think has helped to make me a better writer.

Book Review: Steelheart

Posted on May 25, 2021 Leave a Comment

There are two things I really like: Brandon Sanderson and superhero stories, so when I heard that Sanderson had written a series of superhero stories, I knew I had found my next book.

Super Snappy Speed Reviews: Children’s Edition (vol. 2)

Posted on May 23, 2021 Leave a Comment

These reviews reflect nothing but my own personal opinions and impressions, sliced, diced and shredded into a few short sentences. The books I have selected have nothing in common, save the fact that they are all fictional stories for very young children.

5 Useful Fiction and Writing Blogs

Posted on May 22, 2021 1 Comment

Instead of sharing individual posts, I’m sharing links to whole blog sites that I find myself returning to again and again, either because they’re full of useful tips and resources or because they’re just plain enjoyable to read.

Book Review: Burning Bright

Posted on May 20, 2021 Leave a Comment

Originally published 27/01/2019 SPOILER ALERT Anyone who has not read Burning Bright by John Steinbeck is hereby advised that this post contains spoilers. Well, well, well, believe it or not, I’ve never reviewed a John Steinbeck book before, despite repeatedly implying that he’s one of my all time favourite authors. That changes today with this […]

6 ‘Six Word Stories’ for the 6th (Vol. IV)

Posted on May 17, 2021 Leave a Comment

Sunday the 6th only ever means one thing here at Penstricken: another exciting instalment [2] [3] of 6 ‘Six Word Stories’ for the 6th.

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.