A Year Of Ideas – 365 sets of writing prompts and exercises

I have a new writing book out! Isn’t it pretty? And to prove it’s useful too, here’s the blurb …

All writers need ideas. We need topics and themes, prompts to get started and a little encouragement to keep going. New writers may be wondering where to begin, daunted by a blank page and want help to transform thoughts into fiction. Even the most experienced have dry periods when ideas don’t flow, or times when they appreciate a push to try something different.

Patsy Collins’ methods are proven to work. She’s employed them at workshops where she’s never failed to get her attendees, from brand new and nervous to burnt out, not just writing but producing interesting scenes, snippets and stories.

Each of the daily sets of prompts in this book have been used in some way by Patsy, to create her own work. She needs a lot of ideas as she’s completed five novels, co-written From Story Idea to Reader (an accessible guide to writing fiction) and produced nineteen collections of themed short stories, averaging two dozen per book. Hundreds and hundreds of her short stories have been published – mainly in women’s magazines. She blogs, writes articles, wins competitions and is always working on something new.

Whether you’re a new writer, or a more experienced one temporarily out of ideas, have hours to fill or just five free minutes, you’ll find something in this book to help get you writing – every day of the year.

It’s available as an ebook for £2.50 ($3.22) or a paperback for £6 ($7.74). Buy it here.

I’m a cover girl!

I’m very pleased to get mentioned on the cover of the latest issue of The People’s Friend, especially under the phrase ‘The best fiction!’ in large letters!

Usually, when bragging about a publication, I’d mention something about my inspiration or the setting, but in this case that would totally give away the twist. All I’ll say is

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Spookily enough

I have a new book out! The title, Slightly Spooky Stories III, probably tells you all you need to know, but I’ll give you the blurb anyway …

Ghosts, sixth sense and things not of this world aren’t always scary, though they can be. Some

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Workshop at Nottingham Writers’ Club

Last Saturday I delivered a workshop, on characterisation and dialogue, to members of the Nottingham Writers’ Club – and a visitor. I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did. They were a lovely group of people who remained good natured despite me working them quite hard and being very strict with the time limits.

Two of the attendees hadn’t been writing much for a while, but I was pleased to see everyone scribbling away furiously during the exercises. I could feel the combined concentration!

The beginnings of several interesting sounding stories emerged. It’s amazing what people can produce in just a few minutes. Hopefully some of the notes made on the day will be expanded into longer pieces.

Here are some of us. (A couple of people had appointments to keep, and one was persuaded to wield the camera.)

The club’s Twitter account reported, “From the comments on our feedback forms Patsy received the equivalent of 5 stars for her workshop.” I’m so pleased people found it worthwhile.

Thanks to Carol Bevitt (far right) for arranging everything.