Poem of the week was a no-brainer and goes to Philip Sidney's wonderful evocation of childhood - Bombinations (fantastic word isn't it!) http://www.abctales.com/story/philip-sidney/bombinations The Story of the Week was harder and I would like to give rosaliekempthorne a very honourable mention for her interpretation of the Inspiration Point - The Buzzing in My Head : http://www.abctales.com/story/rosaliekempthorne/buzzing-my-head . She was...

I was up at my sister Phyllis’s house 13 th March 1996. That’s twenty years ago. I was a young thirty-three with a full head of hair and a ready laugh, now I’m a baldy, miserable old cunt, so nothings really changed, but I remember that day because it was Dunblane. News coverage was running on loop, but it was the same picture of parents rushing towards the school, knowing like us that something terrible had happened. I’m not an emotional guy. I...

Anne Rice, as most people know, is a novelist. Her bestselling work includes her first novel, Interview with the Vampire . This is the only novel of hers which I've read. It made her who she is. Gave her financial freedom. The blurb on the cover tells the reader that she has written twenty-eight novels. I've a dim memory of trying to read another one of these, but quickly put it down. I could run my finger down the list, but honestly I wouldn't...

This is a triptych of father, mother, son and ghosts of life. And his parents die in that order. Father, Bill, first, unexpectedly of a heart attack not long after retiring from banking. Then mother, Julie, unravelled by strokes until there was nothing left. This is where the story begins and ends, because it allows John, their only son to bind himself closer, and find out more about their earlier life. His life too comes under scrutiny, but it...

I love that lucid moment when I first wake up and know this is my day. It is not unlike a lucid dream when you suddenly realize you are dreaming and decide: ‘What the heck I may as well fly, it’s my dream,’ …And then you do...So Today…I may as well fly... When all 24 hours are mine to do with as I will... My choice... and no other voice but mine commands me. I can lazy about and read, take time to enjoy my morning coffee or walk along the...

A crazy poem, a crazy story and a chain saw give us our highlights this week. Enjoy! http://www.abctales.com/story/eb/nuthoused http://www.abctales.com/story/ice-rivers/dont-i-look-myself http://www.abctales.com/inspiration-point-ip Don't forget to sign up to our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Just look up ABCtales. And if you are already one of us then please spread the word to your social media pals and let them know about all this great...

The theme for February was borders and they featured in your poetry in a variety of ways: metaphorical, lyrical and physical, often as framing devices and even boundaries in the mind. The garden was exceptionally popular but it rarely featured bog standard features such as lawns and rosebushes or washing lines. Noo’s idea was fresh and liberating, a big thank you. Here are three beauties you came up with: Pat G’s gorgeous poem creates atmosphere...

February's Story and Poem of the Month have been picked by Ray Smart (Vera): February's Story and Poem of the Month have been picked by Ray Smart (Vera): It's a privilege to read all the wonderful work and get the opportunity to choose two pieces. A tricky job indeed. Here are February's Picks of the Month. Congratulations to David Martin with his beautifully composed story An Ending. Finely written prose with a transporting, ethereal feel to it...

One of the great weaknesses of political debate is this idea that there’s something called left and right and our feelings must relate to them, like one was black and one was white. Red, blue, black, white or yellow are just the colours of filthy rags, rallying flags under which the desperate and the gullible assemble when the wealthy and ambitious say it’s time to fight. Doesn’t do any harm to keep the hatred going in between times. Banner-...

I like to give Scottish authors a chance. I read an extract by Amy Liptrot in The Observer ( http://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/jan/17/amy-liptrot-i-am-a-lone-figure-in-waterproofs-the-outrun-extract ) and bought the book because I liked it. Sometimes life is that simple. What I like about it is it’s honesty. When I read Sooz’s diaries online (Harpie in ebooks) I often laugh. Yes, I’m a cruel vindictive person that revels in other folk’s...