In search of inspiration

Inspired by a crushed coke can

Inspiration strikes when we least expect it, and usually at the most inopportune moment. It rarely happens when we sit down at our PCs to do some writing. But when it does strike, make sure you note down those ideas and flashes of brilliance, because they have a nasty habit of disappearing.

The idea for my reluctant reader book, Nightmare was inspired by a crushed pop can reflected back through my car windscreen one night. It looked like a grotesque face, and when I said to my passenger:

"Can you see a horrible face in my windscreen?" 

He answered, "It's just the reflection of my coke can. Want me to move it?"

"No," I said. "It's given me a great idea for a story!"

Inspiration can be as silly as that!

If you store ideas away, when you are sitting down, raring to get writing, you'll have something ready and waiting for you to make a start on. 

As you'll know, before you can write anything, you need at least the spark of an idea. Fortunately, ideas and sources of inspiration are all around us:

• Places we visit
• Our workplace
• Holidays
• Buildings
• Events throughout history
• Photographs
• TV and newspapers
• Dreams and nightmares
• People we see or meet
• Themes and emotions
• Objects
• The scent of something
• A song
• An overheard remark
• Art and antiques

The list goes on. The tiniest little incident, sound, smell or thought can spark an idea for a story. The trick is to catch hold of that spark and hold onto it until you can develop it into something more substantial. Often, an idea needs to germinate in your mind before you know what you want to do with it. This mulling over process can take weeks, months, even years. I'm not however, suggesting you spend years thinking about something before starting to write!

From my own experience, the tiniest little things have led to books, short stories and articles:

My brother buying an abandoned canal boat inspired Fishing for Clues. Driving past open-curtained windows at night inspired me to write Pushing his Luck. A music concert led to Stealing the Show. A holiday in the Isle of Wight prompted Disaster Bay. A passer-by inspired short story, The Magic of Christmas. A newspaper headline inspired The Uninvited. A church gave me the idea for Celeste. A crumpled tin can, a pendant; a visit to a museum; a derelict house; a newspaper delivery boy; a cobweb strewn window – they have all resulted in stories, books and articles, and the list goes on.

A newspaper headline inspired this YA book

Store your ideas away safely

Ideas can flit in and out of your head all day long, so be sure to have some method of storing them safely so they can’t escape! Maybe a notebook, or a box, or a folder on your PC, what about a noticeboard? Or you could store images online on Pinterest. How do you hold onto your ideas?

Don't let your ideas escape!

Developing that spark

It only takes a spark of an idea to inspire you to write. But a spark is not a story, so how do you expand a spark into a fully-fledged story or book?

Stories hinge around characters. So, start to think what sort of characters would fit into this vague scenario you're gradually creating. Think about the setting – where is this to take place? Remember that stories need conflict, so your main character needs to be struggling with something. Without conflict you don’t have a story. Give that main character an aim or a goal, and make sure there are lots of pressures to stop them from achieving it.

There will be more tips on creating characters, conflict and plotting in future weeks, so keep popping over to my blog. And I'd love to hear what weird and wonderful things have inspired you to write. 

Ann's Writing Tips: Getting organised

The difference between a writer and someone who just wants to be a writer, is that one procrastinates, coming up with excuses for not doing any writing, and the other simply gets on with it, and writes.

We all lead such busy lives that it's easy to feel guilty about wanting to sit down and indulge in our passion for writing. There’s so much that we should be doing, that writing ends up being bottom of our list of priorities. So, now is the time to get organised.

Get organised

Analyse your days, take note of what spare time you actually have free, even if it's just a few minutes. For example, do you find yourself sitting waiting for other family members at dancing/swimming/football practice/school? If so, have a notebook and pen with you. 

Go to bed an hour later or an hour earlier than usual and use that time to write.

If you travel to work by bus or train, spend the journey writing. Don’t miss your stop though, as time flies when you are writing.

Get into the habit of free writing – anything, your thoughts, the weather, what you’re going to have for dinner. The simple practice of writing will get your creative juices flowing. These bits of writing are throwaway pieces, for your eyes only.

Never be without a notebook

Don't sit waiting for inspiration. Plan what you intend to write as you’re going about other everyday tasks, so when you sit down to write you’re off to a flying start.

Organise your family so they know you need time to write.

Organise your writing times and stick to them. Write every day, even if only for a short while.

Place pens and notebooks around the house, car, greenhouse, handbag, pocket etc., so you can jot ideas down as they occur. If you don't, they will certainly disappear.

Don't sit staring at a blank PC screen or page, write random throwaway sentences and gradually you’ll be writing words that are worth keeping. Free write – you can perfect and revise later.

Find time to read – not just for enjoyment, but to study how other writers achieve results. Also read as many writing ‘how to’ books and magazines as possible. Writing is a craft where you never stop learning.

Stock up on ‘tools of the trade’. Notebooks and pens – always have these to hand. Keep an ideas book, an ideas box, a log book, scrap book, dictionary, folders and stationery. Invest in a copy of The Writers & Artists’ Yearbook.

My current log book

Do your market research. Know what opportunities are out there. Analyse the magazines and publishers you’d like to try for. Know what they want, understand their readership. Read their submission guidelines.

Keep your eyes peeled for writing competitions.

Join a local writing group or class.

Remember - There's only one way to become a writer – and that's to write! Don't procrastinate!

My book, Become a Writer is currently being updated and will be available soon.

W.H.Smiths here we come!

Since our supernatural thriller, The Bitter End, was published by Bloodhound Books last summer, co-author, Rob Tysall and I have had a busy time promoting it.

Firstly, a book signing in Hunts Book Shop in Rugby, which is Rob's home town. Hunts are a fabulous independent bookshop and couldn't have been more helpful to us.  The Saturday morning was particularly enjoyable for Rob as a number of his family popped in as well as old friends - one Rugby lady who he hadn't seen for 30 years! Obviously somebody from primary school!

We then had another signing at Kenilworth Books. Again a great independent bookshop who, like Hunts put on lots of author events. It's just fantastic to get bookshops such as these really helping and encouraging local authors.

Our signing at Kenilworth Books was an evening event which included a talk to a sit-down audience about how we collaborated on the book with questions and answers as well as signings. There was wine and nibbles and an enjoyable evening was had by all.

We were thrilled when local BBC Coventry & Warks Radio presenter, Vic Minett chose our book as her 'Book of the Week' and invited us into the studio to talk live about it, and our collaboration. We've both been on the Brody Bunch also on BBC Cov & Warks Radio a number of times, and we were also delighted to be interviewed by Neil Wilkes for Touch FM radio.

Our next event is a book signing at W H Smiths, Queens Road, Nuneaton. This takes place Saturday 23rd February from 11am-1pm. We are delighted that W H Smiths are giving authors - not just the big names, but local authors, the opportunity to come and sign their books. The staff have been so friendly and helpful in getting this organised, and we're looking forward to the event tremendously.

But prior to these events, we had our own launch when the book first came out, with a few friends at a local pub. it was great fun - but I couldn't resist giving Rob the chop!

The Bitter End is available at all good book outlets and Amazon in Kindle and paperback. Ask your local Waterstones, W.H.Smiths or independent bookshop and no doubt they will order it in for you, if it's not on their shelves already. Or contact me for a signed copy in the post.
ann-evans@btconnect.com

There's a full list of my books at the very bottom of this blog. Or visit: http://www.annevansbooks.co.uk

Discover more about The Bitter End here: http://thebitterend.org.uk/

Buy from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitter-End-dark-mystery-twists-ebook/dp/B07F2GVQ6J

Is your child an ace detective?

If you enjoy a good mystery story, then your kids probably will too. So, I’m delighted to launch four mystery ‘whodunnits’ especially for young readers around the age of 9-12 years.

Fishing for Clues, Stealing the Show, Pushing his Luck and Pointing the Finger are 24,000 word books full of mystery and adventure that your kids are going to love.

I was first commissioned to write these four titles back in 2000 by Scholastic Children’s Books as Sealed Mysteries, which had a final pull-out chapter. I’ve now given them a revamp, minus the pull-out chapter. 

Now each book has a secret link to my website if the young reader wants some help with clues and red herrings.

These are all Murder Mysteries – but don’t worry, they aren’t going to give your child nightmares. They aren’t written to scare the reader – although, as you might expect, there’s plenty of tension and excitement. 

But if your budding Sherlock Holmes or Miss Marple is lying awake at night, it’ll be because they’re fathoming out who did the crime not because they are scared!

Here’s a little about each title:

 Fishing for Clues

Jake and Candy help their dad to clean up his new canal narrow boat. But there’s a mystery surrounding the previous owner – Benjamin Fisher has simply disappeared. No one knows where he’s gone – or do they? As Jake and Candy begin to find out more about Benjamin and the people he knew, they start to think there might be more to his disappearance than meets the eye.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fishing-Clues-Little-Murder-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B00545M72A

Stealing the Show

It’s the chance of a lifetime! Emma has won a competition to spend the weekend with the hottest new boy-band around, Street Wise. She and her friend, Lucy, fly to France on the band’s private jet, watching the concerts, going backstage… It all sounds brilliant. Until something deadly happens…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stealing-Show-Little-Murder-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0054K90YI

Pushing his Luck

Rachel and her little sister, Jessica, love listening to the wonderful stories their elderly neighbour, Henry, tells them. So, when Henry is found dead at the bottom of the stairs in their block of flats, the girls are devastated. The police believe Henry lost his balance and fell, but Rachel and Jessica are convinced that he was pushed. That it was murder…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pushing-his-Luck-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/1980670269

Pointing the Finger

 Gibbets Hollow is part of Daniel’s paper round. It doesn’t worry him that this lonely lane is supposed to be haunted. He doesn’t believe in ghosts anyway. It’s the people who are more worrying. And when one of them is murdered – stabbed with a pitchfork, Daniel is convinced they have arrested the wrong person. With the help of his pal. Tim, they try to discover who the real killer is – but they are treading a dangerous path.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pointing-Finger-Little-Murder-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B005584LKC

So, could you be an Ace Detective and solve these crimes?

Huge thank you to Rob Tysall of Tysall’s Photography for the cover images. And my granddaughter, Megan for being immortalised as my Little Tyke sleuth!

Available in paperback (£4.99) and kindle (99p). Buy links are below or contact me for personalised signed copies. Perfect for birthday and Christmas presents.

Email: ann-evans@btconnect.com

Find all 4 Little Tyke Murder Mysteries here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Little+tyke+murder+mysteries+ann+evans

Pure Entertainment with Wyrd Sisters at The Bear Pit

 I love going to the theatre and this was my first visit to the Bear Pit Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. What a charming, friendly ‘little theatre’ that was created 10 years ago to support the local arts groups. I felt there was a lovely community feel amongst the crew of pulling together, and for me, this creates the right ambiance for an evening of pure entertainment.

Terry Pratchett’s Wyrd Sisters is staged by The Phoenix Players, an amateur theatre group that has been running in Stratford since 1945. The story was adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs and directed by Phoenix Players’ Nick Johnson – and what a fantastic job he did in his debut as director – as well as playing one of the guards.

 

The Wyrd Sisters are three witches: Granny Weatherwax played by Margot McCleary who is the rather severe chief witch in this little coven; then there’s the very likeable, pipe-smoking, pink Dr Marten boot-wearing Nanny Ogg alias Karen McDonald; and the sweet and innocent novice witch, Magrat Garlick played by Freya Boardman. Together, they plan for the exiled Prince to return to his rightful place as head of the land, and to bring the wicked Duke Leonal Felmet (Adam Clarke) and the even wickeder Lady Felmet (Katie Cherry) to justice for murdering the king.

It’s funny, it’s witty, the characters play their parts with total commitment, each one bringing their own unique touch to their role, making the whole thing a real pleasure to watch. With 23 scene changes, it’s a snappily paced story, certainly no chance to get bored, and hats off to the boys and girls backstage plus lighting and sound, who kept the whole thing moving along so smoothly. A great production, a lot of fun for the audience – and I think for the cast too.

Wyrd Sisters. Bear Pit Theatre, Rother Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. September 26-29. Running time 2 hours.

The performance starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £12 (£10 conc.)

For tickets, call 01789 403416 or go to: www.thebearpit.org.uk

INTERVIEW WITH OUR CHARACTER, FATHER WALLACE WILLOUGHBY.

This last month has been a very exciting time, with the launch of The Bitter End – the first book I’ve co-written with anyone. Sharing the excitement of a book’s release with another author is double the fun – and Robert D. Tysall and I have enjoyed every minute, with still lots of book signings and radio interviews to come.

On Saturday 11^th August we will be at Hunt’s Book Shop, High Street, Rugby from 11am-2pm. Then on Thursday 13^th September we will be at Kenilworth Books, Talisman Close, Kenilworth from 6.30pm – 8pm. We would love to see you there.

For those who haven’t read The Bitter End, here’s the blurb – and just for fun, an interview with one of the characters. We will be interviewing other character over the coming weeks. Hope you enjoy!

The Bitter End Blurb.

Paul finally has his life back on track. After losing his wife, Helena in a horrific car crash, he has found love with Sally and moves into her country cottage.  

As a former high-ranking Naval Officer, Paul now works as Head of Security at MI5.

Paul has no memories from before he was ten years old. An accident left him in a coma for 9 months.  But was it really an accident?

 

Soon Paul starts to have flashes of childhood memories, all involving his childhood friend, Owen.

Sally introduces him to her friend, Juliet, the owner of a craft shop. Paul is shocked when he is introduced to Juliet’s partner, his old friend Owen.

Flashes of memories continue to haunt Paul, particularly the memory of his first wife Helena burning in the car crash.

As dark things start to happen, and local people begin dying in horrific accidents, Paul must face his past and will end up fighting for his life.

Interview with a character from The Bitter End.

For this blog, I decided to speak to Father Wallace Willoughby, the parish priest and a neighbour of the protagonist, Paul Christian.

Although Father Willoughby is a diminutive little man, he’s something of a fire and brimstone preacher and his loud booming voice can rattle the windows! Even so, I didn’t expect the reaction I got from him.

He glared at me through those small round glasses of his, his voice fairly controlled – for the moment. “I’m afraid this is not a book I approve of,” he said. “In fact, I'm horrified that you could write about such dark and dreadful deeds.”

“It’s just fiction,” I reminded him, but he cut me short.

“The Good Lord did not grant you your writing skills to produce such heinous characters or such odious atrocities… and have you no thought for me?”

“You didn’t like the role then?”

“Well at first yes, I was flattered that you’d created me and it all started so innocently. But I had no idea what you… and that other author fellow – Tysall, Robert Tysall, had concocted.”

“Yes, well, that was the idea,” I tried to explain. “You don’t want the reader to guess what’s coming.”

“I didn’t see what was coming!” he bellowed. “How could you? I remember when you used to write nice children’s stories.”

“I like to try different genres,” I said, smiling, hoping he’d understand.

 He shook his head. “Alas, it is done, and the book – what is it called again – Ah yes, The Bitter End, is published and available for the world to read. And read it they will. You mark my words. The devil works in mysterious ways.”

“But it’s a fight for good conquering evil, Father Willoughby,” I reminded him.

He didn’t seem convinced and was actually a little sarcastic. “So, it's a happy ending for all of the characters, is it?”

I sort of hung my head in shame. “Well, no, but...”

He sighed. “I shall be praying for the saving of your soul, my child.”

“Oh! Come on!” I argued. “It’s just a fictional story…”

“I enjoy fiction!” he said in that booming voice. “I, just like the Holy Father in Rome, am extremely fond of television’s Father Ted for instance. But really, The Bitter End goes a step too far.”

There was a grimace on my face. “Er, so you won’t be in book two?”

The disdainful glance he cast me provided the answer.

I nodded and said goodbye, deciding it was probably best not to tell him that while he wouldn’t be in book two, possibly his older, and slightly stranger brother would be.

You can buy The Bitter End from all good bookshops and online. Here’s the Amazon Links:

UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitter-End-dark-mystery-twists-ebook/dp/B07F2GVQ6J

USA: https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-End-dark-mystery-twists-ebook/dp/B07F2GVQ6J

Discover more: http://www.thebitterend.org.uk

www.annevansbooks.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/robert.tysall

https://www.facebook.com/Ann-Evans-Books-146957850210/

https://www.facebook.com/thebitterendbook/

Have you read Kill or Die? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kill-Die-Ann-Evans-ebook/dp/B06Y55N625

Published by Bloodhound Books. 

Talented Young Writers!

Recently, I launched a short story competition at Sidney Stringer Academy in Coventry, where I'm Patron of Reading. The competition had the theme of 'Miniature'. 

There was a good reason for this theme. Miniatura - the people who bring together the world's best miniature artisans for their shows held every spring and autumn, are keen to encourage young people to read and write more. 

Miniatura very kindly sponsored me with £50 worth of W H Smith vouchers and 5 delightful 1/12th scale miniature books made by Dateman Books. 

Year 7 students took part and had just one week to create their story. I was very impressed by their work. It was a really difficult task in picking the winners from the many entries, but in the end, the prizes were awarded to:

Haneef Bailey.

Maryam Hussain.

Mwanakombo Mohamedi

Sadia Rana

Zaynab Khalifa.

I’m delighted to share their stories with you:

Flight 4590

By Haneef Bailey

Until the crash of Air France Flight 4590 in 2000, the Concorde SST had been considered among the world's safest planes. The crash of the Concorde contributed to the end of the aircraft's career.

I am a miniature Concorde that was witness to the crash of flight 4590. From the time of my creation by a British Aviation company, I prided myself on my very unique and sophisticated design. My design was evolved in collaboration with a French company.

We were a turbojet powered supersonic airliner used to fly passengers at twice the speed of sound at Mach 2.04 equivalent to 1354 mph at cruise altitude.

The aircraft was used mainly by wealthy passengers who could afford to pay a high price in exchange for Concorde's speed and luxury service.

Air France Flight 4590 was carrying 100 passengers and 9 crew members when one of its engines caught fire and it crashed into a hotel 9 minutes into the flight. I heard the cries of the passengers and the chaos among the crew members as the aircraft caught fire. Before this episode, I had nothing but pride in my heart for the sleek design that myself and my Concorde mates were known for. However, having witnessed the destruction and death and agony caused, I felt that nothing is made to last forever and that destiny sometimes overrides all human efforts.

I can still hear the cries of women and children in my mind and the only relief I have is that after this incident in 2003, this majestic aircraft was no longer being manufactured and that I don't have to witness another human tragedy like this.

I have come to learn that no one can overcome the invincible power of destiny and that there's no real compensation for human suffering caused by failures of human technology.

The end

* * *

A Bad Day

By Maryam Hussain.

It was late at night, I’d had a bad day at school and my mom screamed at me. I was just so annoyed. It was the last day of school before the summer holidays started and it was the most horrific day I’ve ever experienced.

I wish I’d just turn into a small person and stay away from everyone and everything. It was just too much for me to handle all at once. Since it was getting pretty late, I decided to go sleep and get rid of all the stress.

One hour later I was still awake because I was just thinking about all the things that had happened. All of the bad things that had happened were just replaying in my head again and again. The worst part of the day was when I fell and dropped my lunch on one of my friends and then I puked and ran.

I decided to watch some Youtube on my laptop thinking that would help me go to sleep. At around 3 am I decided it was actually getting late and I needed to go to sleep. I woke up at around 2 pm and I felt like I was drowning in my bed. Everything was massive.

So many thoughts were running through my mind. Then I realised I’d wished to turn small and it actually happened!

I decided to get out of my bed but I was so high up. And if I needed to get down I would need a ladder. It was like bungee jumping.

After 20 minutes of figuring out how to get off the bed I was finally off it. Then I thought what clothes am I gonna wear because everything was too big for me. So I decided to wear my doll’s dresses. They fitted perfectly.

I went to the bathroom and I went to the sink and had a bath in there as the actual bath would be too big for me. I dried myself with a miniature hand towel. Then off I went to go eat a bean for breakfast. It filled me up as the bean was so big. I could not reach the table, so I had to put a sugar cube down to eat my food. Even though sugar cubes are small, for me it was colossal. I didn’t really know what to do because I was too small to do nearly everything.

It was really hot that day too. I got a sponge and then I filled up a container with water and I surfed in that and it was pretty big. I had so much fun!

 It was 8 o’clock now and I was tired after surfing. I got some supplies and tried to make a miniature bed so I was not drowning in my actual bed. It didn’t work. Then I realised being small wasn’t that good. I wish I could be big again. I went to sleep in my big bed as the small one didn't work.

I woke up and I was big again! I was so happy! I could wear my own clothes, have a proper breakfast and a proper shower. I shouldn’t take things for granted.

The end

* * *

The Spider

By Mwanakombo Mohamedi

I am a spider. I am a rather small spider. A black spider too. Now that I think about it, I’m a bit different from the other spiders – my webs are more frail, I am a darker shade of black and I’m small compared to the other spiders.

I like to think of myself as a special spider, different from the rest and maybe even better. My webs being frailer doesn’t put me off making them though. I like making my webs – I can customise my home to my style.

My webs gleam and shimmer, they are woven with the utmost care and they catch the most flies. As you may have gathered, I was proud of my webs as though a father would be of his son.

Today, I decided to make my web on a fence; I don’t normally make webs in fences because they don’t catch too many flies but this time I wasn’t after flies; I was after a good view of the sunset – I  was still stuffed from my last meal. I knew I shouldn’t have made a web on the fence. I knew this fence was familiar. I’d forgotten why I hadn’t made a web on this particular garden fence – the mischievous kitten!

Now, normally cats aren’t too much trouble but this specific one was –  too much trouble. It was a black and white kitten – barely a cat – with blue eyes like the dew drops that settled on my webs at dawn. It was especially scary because it was curious – too curious for its own good: I know the humans say, “curiosity killed the cat” but in this case, curiosity almost killed the spider. The point is, this cat is trouble, especially for me.

I was minding my own business, admiring nature’s beauty and when it came out of nowhere. Sniff, sniff, sniffing around near my web. Obviously, my first thought was to run but I couldn’t do that! To abandon one of my finest pieces? No, I had to stay. That was my mistake though – the same mistake that almost got me killed.

I was almost trampled to death, but luckily my attacker stepped on a thorn, a thorn to which I owe my life; it got caught in the kitten’s paw. I wasn’t ready for the cat’s next move: one second, the kitten was padding along silently until it brought out its killer weapon – its claws. It flailed around looking for its attacker but when the cat realised that there wasn’t actually an attacker, it slinked off scowling although it was mewing piteously.

I was saved! But the kitten would be back – it never stayed away for long and so I had to find a new home. And eventually I did: in a cosy little hole with a perfect view of the sunset. The sunset was absolutely stunning with vibrant shades of ruby-red, amber and soft shades of sapphire from the night before. My cat problem was solved, I was saved – for now at least.

The end.

* * *

Under the Bed

By Sadia Rana

“Have a good night, sweetheart,” was all Cassandra heard whilst she trotted up the creaky old wooden stairs. She opened her room’s door and fell onto the comfy bed, tucking herself in.

She would have to wait.

The click of her mother’s heels up the stairs alerted Cassandra; she squeezed her hazel eyes closed, turned her head and stayed still. The door groaned open, illuminating the girly pink room with light. Peering through, her mother checked on the child – she thought Cassie was asleep. Seeming somewhat satisfied, the door gradually shut: she was left in complete darkness.

Tip-toeing out of her bed, Cassie glimpsed at the door, almost expecting her stern parent to be standing there. Steadily, the short girl crawled underneath her bed. The adventure was about to begin.

Instantly, the all too familiar tingling sensation took over her body. The exhilarating feeling coursed through her veins like cold water on a hot day.

She was tiny.

“Hello there,” greeted one of the Tusnas in a nasally voice.

“Hi,” Cassandra smiled back, taking in its features; it had such unique eyes, green like poison ivy; a gorgeous pair of wings like a butterfly; an adorable petite frame and an elegant purple-petalled dress. It was accompanied by a cute little Trivian, which was a bit like a puppy, but with huge eyes and grass as fur.

Skipping past them, trees towered over her as vibrant flowers sang up at her cheerfully – it was music to her ears! This land was so enchanting. Even the community was ever so joyful. Cassie was about to join into their conversation when...

THUD!

What was that? Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.

THUD, THUD, THUD!

Frightened mumbles rippled through the crowd, while some creatures were pointing: pointing behind her. Crossing her fingers, she slowly turned around, eyes bulging out of their sockets when she was face-to-face with a massive ginger cat. Her rat’s nest of auburn danced with the wind as she realised something. She had to run. Fast.

Deafening stomps shook the ground as Cassandra ran. Hurriedly, she attempted to retrace her steps. It was hard to concentrate since bellowing meows pained her eardrums. Alas, she reached a realm of nothingness, pitch-black like the night’s sky. Heat rose to her pale face. Would she have to run? She glanced behind her, seeing a shroud of long fur: she’d definitely have to run.

“Ouch!” Cassie muttered, rubbing her sore head. She crawled back out from under her bed. Thank God! She was back home. Sighing, she noticed a large shadow through her blinds – almost like a… paw?

Oh no.

The end.

* * *

Cyberbully

By Zaynab Khalifa

Rosewood was a large town. A large town with secrets lurking in each and every inch of every street. Within the streets lay a mystery in the form of Skye, 14. What a pretty name is the thought that may come. That is true however it belonged to an ugly heart of a cyberbully.

The story with the horrid message that was sent saying that the ‘it’ girl Cheryl Blossom was ‘tiny’. Cheryl had been familiar with despair caused by others; however, this stained her heart.

Then the beautiful day after, terrible terror struck in the form of lightning for Skye. As the lightning bolt hit, her fate was sealed. Her fate being that she would be the size of an almond for eternity.

Just like the wind, the transformed girl ran home weeping. Nobody was at home, so Skye used her little legs to climb up the door and go through the postbox. It was surreal as each crumb provided a full meal. She regained confidence to show herself in school.

She set foot around school with pride and happiness. However, that sense of pride got lost in the staring and muttering. Skye went under doors seeing all her friends and relating how she felt. Lunch came. The horror had came.

Cheryl Blossom picked Skye up with her crimson nails and chucked her around like a rag doll and tossed towards the bin. Her best friend, Sheri, came just in time to save her and took her to her parents. Her parents shared the mindset of keeping shame away from the family. This caused them to freak out!

‘I’m ashamed of you!!’ exclaimed Skye’s mum.

Skye sobbed for hours as she felt lost without the support of her parents. Sheri’s parents were the same. They did not help her. Unfortunately, this meant Skye had to find a find a bed under random bus shelters.

Nights turned to weeks. No one took a second glance at her. No help. Alone. Suddenly, Skye felt a spark rush through her veins. She felt brave to talk to her parents. Her words were coming back to haunt her. She began to feel pain as she was walking to her parents’ place.

The words she taunted others with began to appear on her skin. Everyone who saw her now knew what she was capable of. This is what she carried with her forever. 

Skye began to regret her actions. But was this for the benefit of others or just for herself? No regret could change the impact on others. Skye fled away from the problems she caused thinking they would go away. She was nowhere to be seen.

Later, her parents came to their senses and tried to look for Skye – but it was too late...

The end

* * *

Well done to all the students who entered the competition – every single story was read with pleasure.

 For more details of our sponsors, Miniatura, please go to: www.miniatura.co.uk

Their next show takes place at the Birmingham NEC on 22nd & 23rd September 2018. Tickets available from their website.