Blogs

If you are wondering when you can (or can't) use an image you have found on line, this is an excellent article laying it all out in simple terms. It is important, as there are legal and possible monetary consequences for the use of material in contravention of copyright laws. Anyway, take a look here. And the terms for use of the accompanying image are here [then click on view terms at bottom right].

A woman of ninety-six died. I don’t need to tell you she was old. In another life she’d have made a decent teacher of French and English, who sometimes rapped your knuckles. But we acted in concert as if it was a surprise, with the odd bum notes. My worry was that football would be cancelled and I’d miss Rangers getting stuffed for the third time in a just over a week. As a destitute person—of the no dogs, no coloured and no Irish—I’m aware rich...

Frankie Boyle is a Scottish comedian. No Mean City . Meantime. The Scottish bit suggests that there is an outside chance he might be funny. But after comedian, I need to write, allegedly. Everybody in Glasgow thinks they are a comedian. In fact, that’s often a reason for a square-go: ‘You think yer a comedian, pal?’ Everybody in Glasgow also thinks they’re a writer, including me. The proof is in the booze and also in the number of copies sold...

a – The dirt road and one can see the same stones were used in building the farm house. Ancient stone ruins in South Africa : https://www.abctales.com/story/tom-brown/ancient-stone-ruins-south-africa b – Part of a typical rock wall right behind the house, the stones roughly fitted the wall was damaged and it is not a very large example. c – The stone age tool from ruins near the river perhaps an axe or knife. d – A rock fireplace by the wall.

So much good stuff to enjoy! Our Story of the Week goes to Hudson Moon's 'Onward I Mutter - A Ramble'. It's funny, it's instantly relatable, it was a bright spot in the week, it's like having a conversation with a good friend: Onward I Mutter - A Ramble | ABCtales Poem of the Week is TJW's stunning 'Insidious'. This is writing from the heart and soul, and it will stay with you: Insidious | ABCtales This week's Inspiration Point is here:...

Story of the Week Longer pieces seem to be in vogue at the moment, who says the novel is dead? Some very good prose writing this week. Celticman’s Uggly Puggly is sharply observed and hilariously dark-humoured, Part 71 is here . I also enjoyed the first three chapters of CliffordBen502’s Exotic Illnesses, the first of which was last week’s Story of the Week. So, since I must pick only one, this week’s Story of the Week is Lou Blodgett’s The...