storytelling | 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.

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.

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.

5 Basic Star Trek Plots

Posted on April 21, 2021 Leave a Comment

I have compiled this list of five basic Star Trek plots to help you on your way to writing a traditional, cheesy Star Trek story.

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.

App Review: Text Adventure

Posted on April 18, 2021 Leave a Comment

If you long for the glory days of graphics-free interactive stories then let me introduce you to Text Fiction by Onyxbits.

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?

Flash Fiction: The Girl & The Car

Posted on April 7, 2021 Leave a Comment

As always what follows is entirely my own work and has not been published anywhere else in the world, whether in print or online, nor do I expect or permit it to be. And so without further ado, I give you:

The Girl & The Car
by A. Ferguson