Story of the Week

Story and Poem of the Week are back! If you want to nominate a piece for this slot then let us know on the Discuss Writing from ABC Forum or by email to tcook@abctales.com.

(19.03.10) One of the most moving pieces in many a long month, this tells of the tragedy of the Chagos Islanders and their appalling treatment as the hands of the powers that be. Read it, weep and protest:

http://www.abctales.com/story/catherine-poarch/bird-sky

(12.03.10) 'The Deepest Cut' by lwilkinson is a classic example of how to show and not tell. All creative writing students should take it to heart! It's also a damn good story:

http://www.abctales.com/story/lwilkinson/deepest-cut

(5.03.10)The Best Plasterer in the World, by Blighters Rock, will change the way that you look at everyday objects forever! I don't think I've ever read anything quite like it; but it's fun, acutely observed and contains excellent wordplay.

http://www.abctales.com/story/blighters-rock/best-plasterer-world

(26.02.10) Ever Fallen in Love? by insertponceyfrenchnamehere is a step forward for her. Her writing is always provoking, honest and enthralling but in this piece she reaches out to her young self and asks us all if we are accountable for our teenage actions. It's excellent:

http://www.abctales.com/story/insertponceyfrenchnamehere/ever-fallen-lov...

(19.02.10) Not only does 'You or Your Memory' by dukkejuice fail to use the letter 'i' it also magnificently tells a remarkable story. A real tour de force:

http://www.abctales.com/story/dukkejuice/you-or-your-memory

(12.02.10) If only for the quite magnificent opening few paragraphs Skunk's 'Bet Your Bottom Bippy' gets the nod this week:

http://www.abctales.com/story/skunk/bet-your-bottom-bibby

(5.02.10) Sooz is back writing her diary - and the troubles are only just beginning. Get on board now as this is going to be a roller coaster ride:

http://www.abctales.com/story/sooz006/thursday-4th-february-2010

(29.01.10) 'Tiny Bald Patch' by Pascal J Barry is very funny. That's difficult enough to do - but it's also insightful and sharp:

http://www.abctales.com/story/pascaljbarry/tiny-bald-patch

(22.01.10) I like 'City' by De La Alex for its sheer sense of place. As a 16 year old writer he puts us very precisely in the London of today and that's no mean feat:

http://www.abctales.com/story/de-la-alex/city

(15.01.10) An easy choice this week - Chelsey Flood hits top form with 'Wasps' - it just has to be read:

http://www.abctales.com/story/chelseyflood/wasps

(08.01.10) Back after the Christmas break with a great new book from Sabital. It twists and turns at every juncture, it's original and exciting. Get on board now, this is going to be some journey. Chapter One is here:

http://www.abctales.com/story/sabital/reversal-working-title

You'll find it moving on chapter by chapter here:

http://www.abctales.com/user/sabital

(18.12.09) Clinton Morgan's 'In A Circus Tent' just arrived in time for this week's prize. A sad and poignant tale of the death of a clown:

http://www.abctales.com/story/clinton-morgan/circus-tent

(11.12.09) Gingeresque's 'Tony Was A Friend Of Mine' is a very short but beautifully constructed tale of opportunity lost:

http://www.abctales.com/story/gingeresque/tony-was-friend-mine

(04.12.09) Another of Mark Brown's wonderful 200 worders. This Is A Bubble is so apposite and so well put it just had to go here:

http://www.abctales.com/story/markbrown/bubble

(27.11.09) There's a lot of this one - a whole book load! Abbadon by demonicgroin has been going on to the site apace but it's worth every minute of the read - well researched, well written and original. If you've ever had an inkling of Dante then this is the one for you:

http://www.abctales.com/story/demonicgroin/abaddon-chapter-1

The rest can be found here:

http://www.abctales.com/user/demonicgroin

(20.11.09) Maudsy's 'Is this yours?' is now up to Episode 7. If you haven't been following it then I recommend that you start now - you'll soon be hooked. Here's the first bit:

http://www.abctales.com/story/maudsy/yours

and follow the rest here:

http://www.abctales.com/user/maudsy

(13.10.09) It may be Friday the 13th but there's no bad luck with this one - a fantastic piece of writing from Terrence Oblong. 'This is Kelly, 3.00 a.m.' is a must read:

http://www.abctales.com/story/terrence-oblong/kelly-3-00-m

(6.11.09) We've had so many great stories this week that I could have chosen ten for this slot - but still one shone out for me. jlb's 'Taxidermy' is worth ten minutes of anyone's time. It's witty, wise and wonderful:

http://www.abctales.com/story/jlb/taxidermy

(30.10.09) Christine's A-Z of Breast Cancer is a brilliantly written, sharp, witty take on her condition. This is the beginning:

http://www.abctales.com/story/christine/z-breast-cancer-anxiety

but you can read it all from here:

http://www.abctales.com/user/christine

(23.10.09) In a remarkably strong week Genesis 0:0 by Antonia_Soazig has got the nod due to the sheer originality and strength of the writing. Then you discover that English isn't her first language. Read it and weep:

http://www.abctales.com/story/antonia-soazig/genesis-0-0

(16.10.09) Mark Brown is the master of the 200 word story and this week's 'A Field Guide To Modern Warfare' is one of his very best:

http://www.abctales.com/story/markbrown/field-guide-modern-warfare

(09.10.09) FTSE100's 'Angels' is clever and sharp - what's more you'll read it again and again and again. You'll see what I mean:

http://www.abctales.com/story/ftse100/angels

(01.10.09) Mint Sauce In The Beans by chelseyflood is a delightful take on culinary madness, family dysfunction and genuine care:

http://www.abctales.com/story/chelseyflood/chelbo-makes-tea

(25.09.09) Patrick Swayze, Foreskins, Umbrellas by batteriesfeelincluded is mad, funny and rude. Need I say more?

http://www.abctales.com/story/batteriesfeelincluded/patrick-swayze-fores...

(18.09.09) We've a new writer this week, steven00, and he has a very original take on the world. Check out all of his writings but I think 'A Story of My Own' is the pick of the bunch:

http://www.abctales.com/story/steven00/my-own-story

(11.09.09) Themes by boxing_day is very original, very funny and a true delight. A great piece indeed:

http://www.abctales.com/story/boxing-day/themes

(04.09.09) The Inspiration Point using flickr.com has produced some great writing from a number of you - but it's inspired insertponcyfrenchnamehere to write some cracking pieces of fiction. This is funny, bitter and, sadly, so true:

http://www.abctales.com/story/insertponceyfrenchnamehere/best-day-your-l...

(28.08.09) Some great stories this week but 'The Moon and The Window' by Jaki.S gets the prize for a heart rending take on an old idea. It's just well written and well told, and it the end, those are the vital ingredients:

http://www.abctales.com/story/jaki-s/moon-and-window

(21.08.09) The imaginatively named insertponceyfrenchnamehere has been writing the compellingly honest account of her travels to the USA - and her discoveries about herself and her life. They're very good:

http://www.abctales.com/story/insertponceyfrenchnamehere/weekend-part-on...
http://www.abctales.com/story/insertponceyfrenchnamehere/weekend-part-tw...
http://www.abctales.com/story/insertponceyfrenchnamehere/going-home

(14.08.09) CelenaGaia has started a novel - and the first three chapters promise a lot. I thought it well worth flagging up so that lots of you can follow its development:

http://www.abctales.com/story/celenagaia/first-chapter-bridge-fall-new-s...
http://www.abctales.com/story/celenagaia/chapter-two-new-story-yet-untit...
http://www.abctales.com/story/celenagaia/chapter-three-new-story-yet-unt...

(07.08.09) Foster returns with a cracker - 'How One Became Two'. If I tell you too much about it, it'll ruin the surprise:

http://www.abctales.com/story/foster/how-one-became-two

(31.07.09) We always say that everyone has a story to tell here on ABCtales - and morgan-g has proved that with her harrowing and moving 'He's Never Hit A Woman'. Read it and weep for the human condition:

http://www.abctales.com/story/morgan-g/hes-never-hit-woman

(24.07.09) We've had the first six parts of Whiskey's 'Dead Men Talk' - and I highly recommend them to you. It's a gripping tale and I look forward to every new episode. You start here:

http://www.abctales.com/story/whiskey/dead-men-talk

And find the rest here:

http://www.abctales.com/set/whiskey/dead-men-talk

(17/07/09) We get lots of stories where people just want to get something off their chest. Most of them are moving and some give us real revelation - but 'I Have Your Eyes' by russiandoll has the added bonus of being really well written:

http://www.abctales.com/story/russiandoll/i-have-your-eyes

(10.07.09) hadley has been around for a while on the site but I don't think he's ever written anything as good as 'Closing Down'. It's wry, knowledgeable and well written - an effective and very true comment upon our times:

http://www.abctales.com/story/hadley/closing-down

(3.07.09) No debate at all this week. chelseyflood's stand out 'Ten Things I couldn't say to you' is just stand out wonderful. It unfolds as a good short story should, it's surprising, it's a great read. Congratulations for this one:

http://www.abctales.com/story/chelseyflood/ten-things-i-couldn-t-say-you

(26.06.09) I was really torn between two pieces this week so I've finally decided not to decide and give both the nod.

'A Queen, A Bishop and Two Shots' by Curse of 222. There's a lot more to it than meets the eye:

http://www.abctales.com/story/curse-222/queen-bishop-and-two-shots

And bukharinwasmyfav...'s 'Hazel Blears gets toothache on the surface of Mars' is too funny not to recommend:

http://www.abctales.com/story/bukharinwasmyfavouritebolshevik/hazel-blea...

(19.06.09) Congratulations go to Boromir for Crisis Memes 10 and 11, part of a novel, chosen not least for daring to include the dialogue 'Real books really stink' in a novel.

http://www.abctales.com/story/boromir/crisis-memes-10-11

(12.06.09) AdamDeath's novel Eight Foot Blue is growing steadily as he gets into his story stride - a great one to read if you're heading to the beach this weekend, weather permitting, or to read at home and live vicariously if it rains! Here are the first couple of chapters:

http://www.abctales.com/story/adamdeath/eight-foot-blue
http://www.abctales.com/story/adamdeath/eight-foot-blue-2

(05.06.09) niki72's latest opus follows a young woman as she attempts to get pregnant - but she's not too fussy and she certainly doesn't want 'father involvement'. It's wry, funny and very well written. Here's the first bit:

http://www.abctales.com/story/niki72/attempt-number-one-bad-beginning-0
And the rest is here:
http://www.abctales.com/set/niki72/attempt-number-one

(29.05.09) If you haven't been following celticman's 'Huts' series then now's your chance to do so. It's funny, moving, thought provoking and very well written. He's up to Episode 28 this week but it's well worth while to start at the beginning and read through:

http://www.abctales.com/story/celticman/huts
Read the rest here:

http://www.abctales.com/set/celticman/huts

(22.05.09) annabelwigoder's 'Adam's Hands' is a fantastic and fantastical story that deserves a massive audience:

http://www.abctales.com/story/annabelwigoder/adams-hands

(15.05.09) The Goat Queen by johnshade is a finely crafted moral tale for our times:

http://www.abctales.com/story/johnshade/goat-queen

(08.05.09) Wimbledon (Part One) by Sundays Child is a story where the corruscating honesty just leaps off the page. Autobiography is always a good place to start and this proves it:

http://www.abctales.com/story/sundayschild/wimbledon-part-1

(01.05.09) Stargazing by sikander is a riotous leap of the imagination - a wonderful read:

http://www.abctales.com/story/sikander/stargazing

(24.04.09) Sadness, Bakeries, Heartbreak is just one of a number of outstanding stories from a writer new to ABCtales this week, batteriesfeelincluded:

http://www.abctales.com/story/batteriesfeelincluded/sadness-bakeries-hea...

If you like this, then go to his home page and read the others. You won't be disappointed:

http://www.abctales.com/user/batteriesfeelincluded

(17.04.09)The Ninth Procedure: This sexy feline frantasy frolic by annabelwigoder is purr-fectly crafted and keeps you smiling throughout - as well as guessing at the ending.

http://www.abctales.com/story/annabelwigoder/ninth-procedure

(10.04.09) Isaac by jlb is just so off the wall it's in Humpty Dumpty territory. It's a joyous and crazy tale of redemption that deserves a large audience:

http://www.abctales.com/story/jlb/isaac-0

(3.04.09) Unbelievable is jennifer's novel and it's attracting a large audience on here. If you aren't up with it then here's links to the first couple of chapters. They are relatively short - but the action moves on swiftly and the book is becoming utterly compelling:

http://www.abctales.com/story/jennifer/unbelievable-chapter-one-edited-p...
http://www.abctales.com/story/jennifer/unbelievable-chapter-two

You will find all of it here:
http://www.abctales.com/user/jennifer

(27.03.09) If Only by Ewan is one of the best stories I've read on here for some time. It's an entire novel in a short story, leaving you to fill in the gaps. It's clever, wonderfully constructed and utterly compelling:

http://www.abctales.com/story/ewan/if-only

(20.03.09) The last page by simon locke has a lifetime encapsulated in a short story. It tells of age, remorse and meaning - a superb piece of writing:

http://www.abctales.com/story/simonlocke/last-page

(13.03.09) A double bill from Izak this week. They're two, short, related pieces of experimental writing and I think they show enormous promise:

http://www.abctales.com/story/izak/lost-new-york

http://www.abctales.com/story/izak/lost-new-york-pt-ii

(6.03.09) "The Circus" by eezy77 is an affectionate and sharply observed look at the difficulties of appreciating what you've got at the time.

http://www.abctales.com/story/eezy77/circus

(27.02.09)'Wasteland'by alphabet floozy is a nicely evocative piece of writing about private worlds and secret dreams. Beautifully crafted.

http://www.abctales.com/story/alphabet-floozy/wasteland

(20.02.09) 'Derek Obama, President' by culturehero is an extraordinary piece of hilarious creativity. It stretches your imagination all the way:

http://www.abctales.com/story/culturehero/derek-obama-president

(13.02.09) 'Flow' by boxing_day is very clever indeed. Someone knows the lyrics of jay z's songs very well - and uses them with style and grace to create a wonderful story:

http://www.abctales.com/story/boxing-day/flow

(06.02.09) It's not easy to create an authentic voice and write in the Caribbean patois but Mr Garrard does so - and he goes further in 'The Killing Floor' - he writes a darn good story too:

http://www.abctales.com/story/mrgarrard/killing-floor

(30.01.09) Stories about sport are notoriously difficult but celticman's 'Me and Big Jock Stein' is funny, touching and well written:

http://www.abctales.com/story/celticman/me-and-big-jock-stein

(23.01.09) This week's choice is made up of Sean McNulty's 13 Munter stories. The influences come from an extraordinary mix of Joyce, Flann O'Brien, Bukowski and Marukami - with a heavy dose of McNulty as well. They will grip you and take you on a fantastic journey. Here's the first one:

http://www.abctales.com/story/sean-mcnulty/ghost-6

You will find the rest here:

http://www.abctales.com/user/sean-mcnulty

(16.01.09) Lap Rat's 'Chocolate' is funny, disturbing and utterly bizarre. This is a masterful piece of writing:

http://www.abctales.com/story/lap-rat/chocolate

(09.01.09) It meant nothing by tory_del_ricoh is a delightful story with a real twist in the tail. Well written and well thought out:

http://www.abctales.com/story/tory-del-ricoh/it-meant-nothing

(02.01.09) Apologies for the absence of this feature over the past few weeks - due to illness, I'm afraid. Aenaithia's My Damn Writing tells a tale of break-up and rediscovery with honesty and charm:

http://www.abctales.com/story/aenaithia/my-damn-writing

(12.12.08) jo9999's 'Road Trip' poses an excellent moral dilemma. It's well written and thought provoking. A fine debut on ABCtales:

http://www.abctales.com/story/jo9999/road-trip

(05.12.08) MrGarrard's 'The Long Drop' is one of those stories that gets into your head. It twists and turns, slowly uncovering its meat - and then the ending rounds it all off. Excellent:

http://www.abctales.com/story/mrgarrard/long-drop

(28.11.08) The death of innocence is always a great place to start with a short story and jlb's 'Death of a Star' proves the point:

http://www.abctales.com/story/jlb/death-star

(21.11.08) The Boy with the Buttons by mikepyro really got to me. It's an original angle on the Holocaust and it left me feeling profoundly moved:

http://www.abctales.com/story/mikepyro/boy-buttons

(14.11.08) This was a really close call this week due to a sudden inrush of excellent prose but the nod goes to Domino Woodstock for the heart-rendingly nostalgic 'Marcus':

http://www.abctales.com/story/domino-woodstock/marcus

(7.11.08) Shana by bradene has not only got Story of the Week, it's the basis for our Inspiration Point:

http://www.abctales.com/story/bradene/shana

(31.10.08) Little Chilli's Lovesick is a very short piece but it expresses all the sadness of the end of a relationship without the anger. It's touching and well done:

http://www.abctales.com/story/little-chilli/lovesick

(24.10.08) Breaking News by yvonne lake is a touch over long - some of the start could be pared away - but as it builds to its finale, it twists and turns with subtlety and understanding. I commend it to you:

http://www.abctales.com/story/yvonnelake/breaking-news

(17.10.08) Dust of Ages by niciwest is one of those stories that get into your mind. It says so much more than the words on the page...

http://www.abctales.com/story/niciwest/dust-ages

(10.10.08) No Fire by phleggers is a story full of twists and turns - just how true to life it is remains a question for you, dear reader:

http://www.abctales.com/story/phleggers/no-fire

(4.10.08) He's done it again! For the second week running, Stefano is our story-teller of the week, this time for the (modestly titled!)The Funniest Story Ever. It has its flaws, but is acutely observed and (mostly) does what it says on the tin.

http://www.abctales.com/story/stefano/funniest-story-ever

(26.09.08) Clairvoyant by Stefano is a clear winner this week. It's maybe that it reflects my own thoughts on the subject but it's also funny and very well written:

http://www.abctales.com/story/stefano/clairvoyant

(19.09.08) The Chair by Mithu Banerji is a fine addition to ABCtales. In a week of very high standards this one stands out for its depth of observation:

http://www.abctales.com/story/mithu-banerji/chair

(13.09.08)For its fine sense of observation, and a nicely crafted plot and twist ending, the wonderfully titled Cream-colored Berets and Big Fish is this week's star story:

http://www.abctales.com/story/foster/cream-colored-bertes-and-big-fish

(05.09.08) For its sheer unsurpassed craziness this week's mention goes to trashbat's Or How I Learnt To Stop Worrying And Love An Owl. Be warned, there is bad language from the very beginning:

http://www.abctales.com/story/trashbat/or-how-i-learnt-stop-worrying-and...

(29.08.88) Fireworks in the Snow by Silver Spun Sand is one of those heartbreaking, utterly honest accounts of life that makes ABCtales such a wonderful place. Sooz's diaries never cease to amaze and many of you write with such warmth and fire, but this one is unmissable:

http://www.abctales.com/story/silver-spun-sand/fireworks-snow

(15.08.08) The Lady of Chains by Voodoun Romance creates a whole new world and an intense, ritualistic and mystical battle for life. It's not often that I get completely hooked into a story but this one does the business:

http://www.abctales.com/story/voodoun-romance/lady-chains

(08.08.08) The Animal Police by culturehero crosses the winning line first this week, coming out of a very strong pack. It's got the nod for its sheer originality - taking the noir genre and creating an insane comedy. A funny, silly and utterly entertaining read. There is strong language:

http://www.abctales.com/story/culturehero/animal-police

(01.08.08) Gorblimey Trousers by FTSE100 is so far off the wall, it's flying! Funny, sharp and well observed this is a great read:

http://www.abctales.com/story/ftse100/gorblimey-trousers

(25.07.08) Faron Talbot:Tree by john mul is an extraordinary piece of writing. It's wry, witty, curiously soul-less but full of zen. A very good read indeed:

http://www.abctales.com/story/john-mul/faron-talbot-tree

(18.07.08) A new writer to us appears and the nominations come pouring in for Story of the Week. 'Gangster Smile' by csquirrel certainly impressed you lot - and me too. It's very good indeed:

http://www.abctales.com/story/csquirrel/gangster-smile

(11.07.08) Jack Can by jennifer is what happens when a poet turns to prose. Excellent use of language, wit and a delightful snapshot of life:

http://www.abctales.com/story/jennifer/jack-can

(04.07.08) Hey,Joe! by DynamiteJack is a sweet, sentimental tale of love overcoming all. It's quite long but it has a wonderful sense of place, a narrative that grips and characterisation that's honest and true:

http://www.abctales.com/story/dynamite-jack/hey-joe

(27.6.08) Arbitary Decimation by jlb sums up the technical difficulties of writing to a precise format. Clever, witty and original:

http://www.abctales.com/story/jlb/arbitrary-decimation

(18.06.08) A bit of a gap due to the technical problems - and we'll be back to Fridays next week! Coming of Age is from a very new member, TaeganHarker, who's submitted some fine material. This is very short and hard hitting:

http://www.abctales.com/story/taeganharker/coming-age

(06.06.08) Medea by AndAllThatCouldHaveBeen is a fine example of form - it shapes itself almost perfectly and comes out in a circle, just so. A fine example for all short story writers:

http://www.abctales.com/story/andallthatcouldhavebeen/medea

(30.05.08) You do the Maths by liplash is a glorious, beautifully constructed story incorporating numbers. One of the best for a while:

http://www.abctales.com/story/liplash/you-do-maths

(23.05.08) The Lines by paulycannon is a mix of travelogue and plain, old fashioned good story. It's well told and nicely constructed - a lesson to us all:

http://www.abctales.com/story/paulycannon/lines

(16.05.08) Step-Monster by Tova 7 is one of those stories that just stays with you. It's a classic tale of American trailer trash but it's well told and the characterisation is brilliant. Be warned, it is quite long!

http://www.abctales.com/story/tova7/step-monster

(09.05.08) David K's picks this week - and he's selected Foster's The Bicycle Mechanic as a very worthy winner:

http://www.abctales.com/story/foster/bicycle-mechanic

(02.05.08) Sand and Glasses by ewan is short, witty and sharp. If you haven't started his Gibbous House gothic novella either then I advise to do so!

http://www.abctales.com/story/ewan/sand-and-glasses

http://www.abctales.com/set/ewan/gibbous-house

(25.04.08) Waving Not Drowning by niki72 has held me enthralled for a few weeks now with the sheer quality of its story telling. It's up to Part 6 - and the plot thickens but here's where it starts:

http://www.abctales.com/story/niki72/waving-not-drowning

and here's where you can find the rest:
http://www.abctales.com/user/niki72

(18.04.08) The Game by CheleCooke is one of a number of excellent pieces submitted by this writer this week. This one appealed in particular because the match of imagery and content was just spot on:

http://www.abctales.com/story/chelecooke/game

(11.04.08) Ken Simm has started a series of 'Confounded Letters' which he states are his 'open letters to himself on creation'. They're highly poetic and lyrically adventurous (and suitably short). This is my favourite so far but do try the whole set. Both links are below:

http://www.abctales.com/story/ken-simm/long-ago-far-away-room-glass
http://www.abctales.com/set/ken-simm/confounded-letters

(04.04.08) Nandinidhar writes with real love and affection about India and this week he/she's come up with a real gem about a small child going to school for the first time. Learning the Names is tender, touching and very readable:

http://www.abctales.com/story/nandinidhar/learning-names

(28.03.08) Novella by relayer is long for Story of the Week, so be warned - but it is worth every minute it takes to read. This is just the beginning of a larger work and I look forward to more:

http://www.abctales.com/story/relayer/novella

(21.03.08) In what hasn't been a great week for stories - although the poets have been great - this one really stood out. Malenkov's take on Herman Hesse's Steppenwolf is witty, literate and wise:

http://www.abctales.com/story/malenkov/harry-steppenwolf-what-landladys-...

(14.03.08) This was the last story I read before making this week's choice - and it walked away with the prize. Raskoln1kov's 'The Dig' is mysterious, fantastic and beautifully written:

http://www.abctales.com/story/rasko1nikov/dig

(7.03.08) Spack does it again! This strange and wonderful tale, ostensibly about eye disease (but so much more), is worth it alone to work out why this sequence could be so compelling and logical:

"To return from a fever was always a huge betrayal. The limited universe: a bowl of onion soup, a door, my mother."

http://www.abctales.com/story/spack/sublimation

(29.02.08)Ben has delved deep to create the imagery and tension in this fascinating story. Mattress could still probably be improved but is already a very impressive read.

http://www.abctales.com/story/ben/matress

(22.02.08) For its inutterable silliness and because it's very short and very funny, this q and a with French poet Jacques Roncourt by rokkitnite gets the nod this week:

http://www.abctales.com/story/rokkitnite/q-jacques-rancourt

(15.02.08) In a truly exceptional week this has been a very difficult task - and the winner has two long stories on here, but they've stayed with me since the moment I read them. We don't often flag up sci-fi, as a lot of it is very ordinary indeed, but these two stories buck the trend. Congratulations to t.crask for Watchman and Lode Star:

http://www.abctales.com/story/t-crask/watchman
http://www.abctales.com/story/t-crask/lode-star

(08.02.08) This is probably the longest Story of the Week we've ever had - but I promise you that every minute of reading time is worth it. Hotel Auschwitz by Drew Gummerson is an extraordinary novella - compelling, funny, scatalogical and inventive:

http://www.abctales.com/story/drew-gummerson/hotel-auschwitz

(01.02.08) A first for us - the first two scenes of a play in this spot! Margharita wants comments on her work so feel free. It's certainly funny and poignant - but can you see it working on stage?:

http://www.abctales.com/story/margharita/what-it
http://www.abctales.com/node/569192

(25.01.08) A tough call in a very good week but the prize goes to a newcomer, spacio vacio, for the enthralling 'One Question':

http://www.abctales.com/story/spacio-vacio/one-question

(18.01.08) I love our wealth of travel pieces on ABCtales - they bring the whole world into perspective. markle is a fine writer - check out his novella, Silverland , (here - http://www.abctales.com/user/41320). But I also loved this account of a visit to a 'museum' in Argentina:

http://www.abctales.com/story/markle/el-museo-de-los-indios-resistencia-...

(11/01/08) time-flies by blackjack-davey is stuffed full of wonder and imagination. It's a disturbing, image-full piece that deserves your time and attention:

http://www.abctales.com/story/blackjack-davey/time-flies

(05.01.08) Someone Should Stop Me Falling In love with the Fastfoto Assistant by crush is short, witty, perspicacious and very well written. A cracker for the New Year:

http://www.abctales.com/story/crush/someone-should-stop-me-falling-love-...

(22.12.07) A Good Mother by malenkov is a touch over long but it's such a good story - original, true to itself and understanding - that it had to be the Christmas pick:

http://www.abctales.com/story/malenkov/good-mother

(14.12.07) Instant Fires by Spack is a tour de force. It gets right into the head of a stroppy 16 year old girl - spot on:

http://www.abctales.com/story/spack/instant-fires

(07.12.07) The Photocopy Girl by kenny_mooney is the start of a sprawling Burroughs-esque novel that concentrates far more on style than plot. If you like that kind of stuff, you'll love this and read the other bits. If you don't, you won't!

http://www.abctales.com/node/569245

(30.11.07) Messiah Complex by WilkyBarKid is a strange and original take on the Jesus thing. Be warned, do not read if you are easily offended:

http://www.abctales.com/story/wilkybarkid/messiah-complex

(23.11.07) Shaving Monkeys by Alan Green does have some flaws but it's a great story with lots of charm and a corking opening:

http://www.abctales.com/story/alan-green/shaving-monkeys

(16.11.07) Sarah Passingham is new to ABCtales but she can clearly write very well indeed. Her opening piece is 'Looking at Jade' and it gets her an immediate spot on Story of the Week:

http://www.abctales.com/story/sarah-passingham/looking-jade

(09.11.07) A Real Poet by chelseyflood twists and turns within the confines of very short story. Excellent and imaginative:

http://www.abctales.com/story/chelseyflood/real-poet

(02.11.07) Two For The Road by berenerchamion is worth this slot for the first par alone. A delicious little piece of writing - but be warned, it is a touch rude!:

http://www.abctales.com/story/berenerchamion/two-road

(26.10.07) gomarcgo hasn't been around for a while - but he's back with a cracker. Leading the board is just a delight to read:

http://www.abctales.com/story/gomarcgo-yahoo-com/leading-board

(19.10.07) The Betrayal by passerby is brilliant for everything it doesn't say. The key is in the detail:

http://www.abctales.com/story/passerby/betrayal

(12.10.07) My Little Eye by kerryb is one of those magical, slightly surreal short stories that restores your faith in the form:

http://www.abctales.com/story/kerryb/my-little-eye

(5.10.07) spack features on here a fair bit but when he writes a piece as good as Abergavenny it's impossible to disregard:

http://www.abctales.com/story/spack/abergavenny

(28.09.07) The Summerhouse by margharita is a truly disturbing tale of childhood. It stands out from a really good week of stories and that tells you just how good it is:

http://www.abctales.com/story/margharita/summerhouse

(21.9.07) The Fridge by larahbross is a really good example of 'showing' and not 'telling' in a story. It says an awful lot about about a relationship without revealing very much at all:

http://www.abctales.com/story/larahbross/fridge

(14.9.07) Sorry for the week's absence but this little classic from ldoolan should make up for it. Flavia's Full Fat Granita is one of a series of tight, compacted observations that make fine use of language:

http://www.abctales.com/story/ldoolan/flavias-full-fat-granita

(31.8.07) White with a hint by margharita is a classic short story. Lots of 'show' and not much 'tell', it's a lesson in how to write:

http://www.abctales.com/node/565667

(24.8.07) Hansel and Gretel by Voodoun Romance is a strange take on an ancient story - feral kids, blood and violence prevail:

http://www.abctales.com/story/voodoun-romance/hansel-and-gretel

(17.8.07) tales of the pink fairy by p_cox is a 'fragment' of a far longer tale... but it sure makes me want to read more:

http://www.abctales.com/story/p-cox/tales-green-fairly

(10.8.07) What a very difficult choice this week - so many very good stories have come in. I've finally plumped for one from a couple of weeks ago that just grows and grows on me - The Girl I Miss Most by ged-backland:

http://www.abctales.com/story/ged-backland/girl-i-miss-most

(3.8.07) Bite the Bullet by Patrick Allard has already created considerable discussion on the forums. It isn't perfect - but it gives an excellent and all too true snapshot of life:

http://www.abctales.com/story/patrick-allard/bite-bullet

(27.07.07) Juliet OC's wonderful Death by PowerPoint is our Story of the Week by popular acclaim - with which I heartily concur:

http://www.abctales.com/story/juliet-oc/death-powerpoint

(20.07.07) Lenore by ewan is an intriguing tale of a lost book in a Spanish city:

http://www.abctales.com/story/ewan/lenore

(13.07.07)Young Mikepyro received the only vote cast (thank you Lisa) in this weeks poll. So story of the week it is....

http://www.abctales.com/story/mikepyro/infection

(6.7.07) markbrown has been writing his excellent 200 worders for a while now but this one really hits the spot. The correlation between the London bombs and the loss of virginity is subtle, sensitive and intense:

http://www.abctales.com/story/markbrown/21st-century-romance

(29.06.07) The Day My Mom Got Phished by grendelguy is an American 'noir' experience - well written, tightly controlled and a good warning:

http://www.abctales.com/story/grendelguy/day-my-mom-got-phished

(22.06.07) J.Sudbury by connor is one of those intriguing short stories that just keeps you guessing:

http://www.abctales.com/story/connor/j-sudbury

(15.06.07) Passage Through India, June 2007 by macjoyce is one of those rare treats - a traveller's tale well told. And you get to discover what 'willy' is in Hindi and why it makes English people funny:

http://www.abctales.com/story/macjoyce/passage-through-india-june-2007

(8.6.07) Oops, another missed week. Ho Hum. It's made it all the harder to choose this week but I've finally gone for EricVonDohlen's 'Glib'. It's one of those snapshots of a life that says a lot more than it seems:

http://www.abctales.com/story/ericvondohlen/glib

(25.05.07) Somewhere Between Then and Tomorrow: Swimming by RTavs is a dark tale of excess. It's about dependency and all that goes with it and says much more than its words:

http://www.abctales.com/story/rtavs/somewhere-between-then-and-tomorrow-...

(18/05/07) Sacred Cows by sixdotcell is an extraordinary piece of prose. It's raw and uncompromising, it's difficult to follow but the imagery is sublime, it's full of surprises and it's well worth the read. I think this one may create a major debate in the Discuss Writing from ABC forum:

http://www.abctales.com/story/6dotcell/sacred-cows-0

(11.05.07) Apologies for the week off - overtaken by grandchild arrival. In any case Story of the Week is back with a vengeance with trojan's strange little tale of Symbiosis. It's very short and very good:

http://www.abctales.com/story/trojan/symbiosis

(27.04.07) Joe Dunthorne is a fantastic poet. He is also having his novel published shortly. I hate him. This is an extract from his forthcoming book (as read on Radio 4 this week) and our Story Of The Week.

http://www.abctales.com/node/503948

You can also listen to it here http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?radio4/afternoon_reading...

(20.4.07) A short one this week, but a goodie nevertheless. Thanks to Juliet OC for the nomination of this exceptional 200 worder from mikey h:

http://www.abctales.com/story/mikeyh/unusual-kindness-south-london-stree...

(13.4.07) Going Down by kipryan is the tale of a hidden watcher, a loner who thinks, a man who can only watch. It's brilliantly descriptive, longish (by our standards) but utterly compelling:

http://www.abctales.com/story/kipryan/going-down

(6.4.07) The Terminator by john shade is a gem. It uses a visit to a funfair by a boy and his new stepfather as an allegory for all that is going on between them. Truly excellent:

http://www.abctales.com/story/johnshade/terminator

(30.3.07) mikey adriano's Real Madras is that rarest of things - a good piece of writing on football. I've played against this Mikey character and he deserves all that's coming to him. A tour de force:

http://www.abctales.com/story/mikeyadriano/real-madras

(23.3.07) Queen of her Savannah by margharita is a soppy story about her recently deceased cat - but it is so touching and says so much to cat lovers that I couldn't resist it for story of the week. It's not easy to write from the heart but margharita does it with honesty and style:

http://www.abctales.com/story/margharita/queen-her-savannah

(16.3.07) Maddan suggested this one - and I'm really glad he did. The Exonerating Sky by njw is a big story, it's got real meat and I highly recommend it to you:

http://abctales.com/story/njw/exonerating-sky

(9.3.07) I think I've gone soft! You'll Pay In the Next Life by andrewsyers is just a soppy story with a lovely twist. It's also got some great ideas and gets the imagination flowing:

http://www.abctales.com/story/andrewsyers/youll-pay-next-life

(2.3.07) the consultant - part one by flurtypete is not only a darn good story but contains one of the best bits of dialogue I've read in a long time. Check out the bit where the boys discuss what is passed on to us by our parents. Classic!:

http://www.abctales.com/story/flurtypete/consultant-part-one

(23.2.07) Wooden Heart by tom_saunders is a ventriloquist's tale - who's the dummy now? It's short, witty, pithy and has a real sting as well as an Elvis impersonator. Brilliant!

http://www.abctales.com/story/tom-saunders/wooden-heart

(16.2.07) Transfer Talk by almcclimens is a lot more than a huge whack of nostalgia. It blends three incidents together with skill and panache. This is a must read:

http://www.abctales.com/story/almcclimens/transfer-talks

(9.2.07) rokkinite's Errata:Fifteenth Episode --- enter Screamo the Clown is a truly extraordinary piece of writign. It conjures up a whole new world, with very different attitudes, in a short time. What's it about? I'm not sure, but I know I like it:

http://www.abctales.com/story/rokkitnite/errata-fifteenth-episode-enter-...

(2.2.07) A Better Job 2 by martin polak is an almost poetic description of a mundane part of life. He's an exceptional writer with a real eye for the small points in life:

http://www.abctales.com/story/martin-polak/a-better-job-ii

(26.1.07) One Last Brodie by Georgie is the recommendation of ivoryfishbone and I can but concur with her choice. This is just so beautifully written, so hauntingly sad and with an ending that rounds it all up so well. The best story on here for many a long week:

http://www.abctales.com/story/georgie/one-last-brodie

(19.1.07) Kissing Games Part 1 by emma2004 has so many delightful, nostalgic images it's a'must read'...

http://www.abctales.com/story/emma2004/part-1-kissing-games

(12.1.07) Many of us thought that Drew had left us. He is in fact alive and well in Leicester, creating beauty out of sphincters and modified bicycles. Class act.

http://www.abctales.com/story/drew_gummerson/intimacy

(5.1.07) Welcome to the New Year with this stunning story by Clifford Thurlow. It's beautifully written and constructed - one of the strongest stories for many a long day:

http://www.abctales.com/story/clifford-thurlow/oneshot

(23.12.06) A absolute corker from maddan for Christmas week recommended by 2Lou. We've all met Raul at some time or another - just how do we cope with him?

http://www.abctales.com/story/maddan/conversations-with-raul

(15.12.06) A seasonal one from richhanson - and wittily done it is too...

http://www.abctales.com/story/richhanson/mrs-drapers-christmas-letter

(9.12.06) 'British Gas' by liplash is a strange and complex piece. It demands to be read more than once - but I can assure you that the effort is worthwhile...

http://www.abctales.com/story/liplash/british-gas

(1.12.06) Fergal's 'Goodbye Room' is a short, bitter-sweet glimpse of life in the raw. With very few words it paints a picture that lasts in the mind:

http://www.abctales.com/story/fergal/goodbye-room

(24.11.06) I love a story with a twist but this one's got so much more than that. The quotes from 'The Book of Warnings' work beautifully as a juxtaposition to the action. Moon View, Mountain Road is just a gem from the excellent Foster:

http://www.abctales.com/story/foster/moon-view-mountain-road

(17.11.06) andrewsyers has done something very clever here - he's written a futuristic short story that is both funny and poignant. The Universality of Maureen is well worth your time - but beware of the shower....

http://www.abctales.com/story/andrewsyers/the-universality-of-maureen

(3.11.06) ggggareth is fairly new to ABC but if he keeps providing us with stories as good as this then he's bound for great things in the not too distant future. 'Found' has all the essential elements of the best short story:

http://www.abctales.com/story/ggggareth/found

(20.10.06) Another week missed but this one is worth waiting for! Purplehaze's diaries take us into her imagination as well as her daily doings with wit, style and aplomb. Read this one and then read the rest:

http://www.abctales.com/story/purplehaze/sunday-8th-october-2006

(6.10.06) Sniper's story of a delivery that goes badly wrong has a lot going for it - it's well told, it's graphically descriptive and it's entertaining. Certainly worth a read:

http://www.abctales.com/story/sniper/sacred-shirts

(29.09.06) 200 word stories are where it's at on here at the moment - and it looks as if they will be the ones for The Big Issue page so get writing them! Our former Editor gets his first Story of the Week for this cracker:

http://www.abctales.com/story/markbrown/ullswater

(22.09.06) A nice quick read for you all this week, Rioja's story is quite simply short and sweet, it says so much with so few words and proves that beautiful things come in small packages.

http://www.abctales.com/story/rioja/beached

(15.09.06) This weeks story is another fine piece from the inimitable Spartacad. 'A Circle Of Reading Ink' manages to be wordy yet quiet and forceful yet gentle, as well as being packed full of beautiful images. Anyone who has yet to read Spart's prose should most certainly not miss out on this great read.

http://www.abctales.com/story/spartarcad/a-circle-of-reading-ink

(8.9.06) Although Alan Benefit's stories have featured before in SOW, this one (in my opinion) is the best yet and well worth a read. Check out his fantastic description of shops in a certain town. The local spice shop is depicted so vividly, it can almost be tasted.

http://www.abctales.com/story/alan_benefit/10-a-brief-glimpse-of-the-oth...

(31.8.06) Back on track to Fridays again! maddan is not prolific but his stories are almost always well worth the wait. This one, down by the River, is no exception. a stange tale of robots, drowning dogs and a man with a lisp...

http://www.abctales.com/story/maddan/down-by-the-river

(22.8.06) A bit of a gem this week from georgie. Slowly and With Feeling follows the career paths of two student journalists. The story interweaves images, time frames and outcomes with skill and humour...

http://www.abctales.com/story/georgie/slowly-and-with-feeling

(14.8.06) Late again in putting this up. Ho Hum. Still, it is worth waiting for - An Outing by alan-benefit is one of those beautiful, lyrical stories that says so much with so few words...

http://www.abctales.com/story/alan_benefit/an-outing

(4.8.06) Skinsen uses the camera as the filter between real life and image in Single lens Reflex - but just what is being hidden?

http://www.abctales.com/story/skinsen/single-lens-reflex

(21/7/06) Kay Smith's 'Off With the Old and On with the New' is a delicious short story in the accepted mould. Well written, a good twist at the end and an excellent summer read:

http://www.abctales.com/story/kay_smith/off-with-the-old-and-on-with-the...

(4/7/06) After a brief hiatus, Story of the Week is back! This week purplehaze's enchanting short 'Cock Sure'. This 'other woman' isn't powerless....

http://www.abctales.com/story/purplehaze/cock-sure

(15/06/06) When We Dead Deliver by Spartarcad is a torrent of words - most of them very good. It's a complex piece but worth every second of your time...

http://www.abctales.com/story/spartarcad/when-we-dead-deliver

(09/06/06) Enzo is back - and very glad we are to see him. He's started a novel with us and I think it will be well worth following. Here's Chapter One:

http://www.abctales.com/story/enzo-v2-0/anamysztike-1-westerly-to-bath

(02/06/06) It's been a while since Foster last got the Story of the Week but four people emailed me to suggest this story - and I agree wholeheartedly with them. 'The Fireplace' is a tale of finding oneself, goodness and love....

http://www.abctales.com/story/foster/the-fireplace

(26/05/06) It's been a tough week to choose from but one story has stood out for me. Mikepyro is a teenage American and his work for his age - and indeed for any age - is outstanding. 'Teatime' has its faults but it's a great idea and it's a well told story:

http://www.abctales.com/story/mikepyro/teatime-0

(19/05/06) Stacyt's story of love, regret and counting is one of the strangest every to appear on here. 'A Liner Equation of Nebulous Portent' is not for the faint-hearted...

http://www.abctales.com/story/stacyt/a-linear-equation-of-nebulous-porte...

(12/05/06) Now this how blogs should be - sharp, incisive and literary. purplehaze does a great one , and now we have robert's regular contributions that deserve a huge readership. Here's a classic example of his excellence:

http://www.abctales.com/story/robert/may-2-2006

(5/5/06) At last - a date that doesn't confuse our American colleagues! This week's Story is from the excellent Juliet OC. So much is said by remaining unsaid as the imagery piles up in this wonderful piece of prose. Enjoy!

http://www.abctales.com/story/juliet-oc/010-a-slip-of-the-hand

(24/04/06) If there's two things that we love at ABCtales, it's summer and insects. Long, hot summers and big, chitinous insects. PoetJude seems to have had insider knowledge when she wrote this admirable piece of autobiography, because, to be honest, most people like either one or the other:

http://www.abctales.com/story/poetjude/where-have-all-the-insects-gone

(7/4/06) Phew! Back to a Friday for putting these up! Tick Tock by Tom Saunders got right under my skin. It just stayed with me for days - and it grew on me accordingly:

http://www.abctales.com/story/tom_saunders/tick-tock

(30/3/06) nswitch's story 'Under The Skin' was recommended by archergirl and a very fine recommendation it is too! It's beautifully written with a fine moral twist in the tail:

http://www.abctales.com/story/nswitch/under-the-skin

((21/3/06) So these are going to last for eight days until we get back to Friday as the day for putting them up. This week's story comes from Lisa Hinsley and it's the well crafted and largely unexplained tale of The Girl That Could Fly:

http://www.abctales.com/story/lisa-hinsley/the-girl-that-could-fly

(13/3/06) A little late putting this up -but it'sworth waiting for. Onlywords has written Whoop! Whoop! - it's an original, captivating story of a person who feels driven to applaud. Exquisite!

http://www.abctales.com/story/onlywords/whoop-whoop

(3/3/06) A Life That Would've Been, A Life That Actually Was by foster is short, original and fateful. Now he's got his 'Would've's' and his 'Would Haves' sorted out thanks to the Discussion Forum comments, it's a very good read indeed:

http://www.abctales.com/story/foster/a-life-that-wouldve-been-a-life-tha...

(24/2/06) 'To Be Clear: They Were Not In Love' by Joel is an excellent piece of decontextualising. It seems to illustrate the dictum that taking anything humdrum and examining in detail, and in isolation, will make it exotic and new. Structured as a list, Joel's story itemises a relationship with far more deftness than many more conventional stories:

http://www.abctales.com/story/joel/to-be-clear-they-were-not-in-love

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(17/2/06) Not one to read over your breakfast this. Brighteyes explores a humdrum world where sex is something that must be planned and engineered. It's listed as erotica but don't let that put you off, there's something very delicate and mannered about this story. The title refers to being sexually aroused by tears or crying:

http://www.abctales.com/story/brighteyes/lacrimophilia

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(10/2/06) Juliet OC's satire of modern life hits the mark. It isn't easy to write in this style but she's pulled it off with wit:

http://www.abctales.com/story/juliet-oc/mr-and-mrs-21st-century-edited

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(3/2/06) Moth by justagirlonfire is great meditation on relationships that seem dangerous:

http://www.abctales.com/story/justagirlonfire/moth

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A cracker here from maddan, recommended by fergal. 'Statistics' is a witty and original look at how we view the world and why. It's got a man-eating shark and a cake in it, but if I give away any more then that would spoil it. Treat yourself this week (27/1/06) and read:

http://www.abctales.com/story/maddan/statistics

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This week's (20/1/06) story says so much with so few words. It's clever and sharp. Congratulations to Tizzmetizzme:

http://www.abctales.com/story/tizzmetizzme/broccoli-reasons

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Just no doubt at all about this week's Story of the Week (12/1/06).Tthis one is set to become an ABCtales classic - the magnificent 'In English' by purplehaze:

http://www.abctales.com/story/purplehaze/in-english

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A long overdue Story of the Week (3/1/06). It's been a long and festive break! But for the sheer excellence of the story-telling and the twists and turns throughout it's well worth the wait - and it's seasonal too! Dave Cotterill's 'Batteries Not Inserted' is our latest Story of the Week:

http://www.abctales.com/story/dave-cotterill/batteries-not-inserted

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Our story for Christmas is a sad but heart warming tale. Christine Ashby writes with such a direct style about the sudden death of her young son. This is someone who has come to whatever terms one can about the death of much loved young man. It's well worth a read as we rush about over the Christmas period - and it makes us all remember that we need to make the most of the time we have:

http://www.abctales.com/story/christine-ashby/craigs-story

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This week's (9/12/05) Story is highly intelligent, fairly obtuse and utterly compelling. It's also quite long, so be warned - but it is worth every second of your time. Enzo has recently taken a short break from writing in order to do some thinking. This is the first result - and it's just incredible. 'Some Solitude for a Social Species' speaks volumes. It will stay with you for a very long time:

http://www.abctales.com/story/enzo/some-solitude-for-a-social-species

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Our third story of the week comes from a new writer, polidori. It's deep, dark and disturbing - with undercurrents that reach into your soul. It's very well written as well so just enjoy the writing of a new star in the ABC firmament:

http://www.abctales.com/story/polidori/cordelias-toys

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Our second story of the week is a major delve back into the archives. d.beswetherick is taking a break from writing in order to read and improve his technique. I really don't believe he needs to do so - but if he gets any better than this then we'll have one of the best writers in the country on our hands. This one comes from his Faerie HardCore series and it's just chillingly magnificent:

http://www.abctales.com/node/515800

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The first story of the week of the new site comes from nancy_am. This is what happens when a talented poet writes prose. It's lyrical, magical, beautiful and thought provoking:

http://www.abctales.com/story/nancy_am/on-pins-and-needles