blogs

Edgy and entertaining insights from the dangerously-talented writers in the Colony…explore at your pleasure

To receive an occasional summary digest by email, simply click below

WTF, Will! parts 36 – 37

Bev Dalton

Unbelievably, after nearly six months, I had almost come to the end of the complete works of Shakespeare. That lockdown challenge had proved hard to…

Read More about WTF, Will! parts 36 – 37

The Unexpected Pantomime

Laura Rikono

Deep in tribal territory in Jharkhand, India, three schools — one by a road, one in a forest, and one on a hill — hosted…

Read More about The Unexpected Pantomime

WTF, Will! parts 33 – 35

Bev Dalton

My book was looking ragged and my Kirk and Spock bookmarks were bent. But I was determined to push on, despite having never heard of…

Read More about WTF, Will! parts 33 – 35

Christmas Eve in the Graveyard

Pamela Jo Keeley

Four-year-old Hugh wanted to be a villain. This puzzled my son Jack. If they played Star Wars, it was Luke vs Darth Vader, which made…

Read More about Christmas Eve in the Graveyard

WTF, Will! parts – 30 – 32

Bev Dalton

By now Shakespeare was all Henried out, so he turned to the ancient world to inspire his next set of plays. With varied results, to…

Read More about WTF, Will! parts – 30 – 32

A Christmas Reflection

Claire Gallagher

  If you read my Christmas Snippets post, you’ll be aware that I suffered a psychotic episode in 2019. This was followed by a long…

Read More about A Christmas Reflection

WTF, Will! parts 27 – 29

Bev Dalton

This part of the book had the men taking centre stage. Shakespeare had hit his stride. At least, that’s what I’d heard, and I was…

Read More about WTF, Will! parts 27 – 29

After 65 Decembers

Michael James Treacy

In August, he smiled at the memories of 65 Decembers, and put away his razor. . The ruddy complexion, jovial disposition, and expanded waistline where…

Read More about After 65 Decembers

WTF, Will! parts 24 – 26

Bev Dalton

My paperback version of The Complete Works of Shakespeare was starting to look properly shabby. I’d bent the cover back a lot, and sat cups…

Read More about WTF, Will! parts 24 – 26

Christmas Snippets

Claire Gallagher

Port and Lemon and Dirty Jokes My nan was the type of woman who couldn’t walk to the shop without stopping at least three times…

Read More about Christmas Snippets

WTF, Will! parts 21 – 23

Bev Dalton

I was approaching the halfway mark of my Shakespeare-a-thon, and methought it was time for some top scores. The Big H was coming up, so…

Read More about WTF, Will! parts 21 – 23

It’s only Rock ‘n’ Roll… well almost

John Duffy

Over the years, I slung my guitar in many bands, and although not exactly an international rock star, I have had the good fortune to…

Read More about It’s only Rock ‘n’ Roll… well almost

WTF, Will! parts 19 – 20

Bev Dalton

Much Ado About Nothing left me in a good place, so the thought of another comedy coming up was quite welcome. But would it deliver…

Read More about WTF, Will! parts 19 – 20

Christina

Michael James Treacy

                At first encounter, she slapped me on my backside and declared, “I don’t recognise that bottom!” ….

Read More about Christina

Just Another Day

Rachel McCarron

I don’t want to bring you down, but Christmas isn’t always fun for me.  It’s a difficult time for a lot of people.  The pressure…

Read More about Just Another Day

A Lake and a Troika

Bev Dalton

It is 1975. I am a teenager, listening for the first time to a protest song by Greg Lake. The tune mesmerises me, the riff…

Read More about A Lake and a Troika

Christmas is Cancelled!

Claire Gallagher

When I was eight years old, I auditioned for a part in my school’s Christmas play, Christmas is Cancelled! Despite being a shy child, I…

Read More about Christmas is Cancelled!

WTF, Will! parts 16 – 18

Bev Dalton

I was cracking on with my stupidly self-imposed lockdown challenge to read The Complete Works of Shakespeare. I’d met a few Henry’s now, and although…

Read More about WTF, Will! parts 16 – 18

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go…

James Charles

Over the river and through the woods To Grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh Through the wide and…

Read More about Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go…

WTF, Will! parts 14 – 15

Bev Dalton

I’d now hit the stage where I was half enjoying this challenge and half wishing I hadn’t told everyone I was gonna do it. There…

Read More about WTF, Will! parts 14 – 15

Get The Digest

Subscribe to our occasional email featuring all the best writing from the Colony.

Free to subscribe, unsubscribe whenever you want (but we don't think you'll want to!)

Basic Membership Is Free.

Explore the net’s original writers’ colony. Get your work critiqued in our Writing Lab. Learn how to get an agent – or dive into the burgeoning world of self-publishing. We’re with you every step of the way.

Full Membership Is Only $149.95 For An Entire Year

Everything in Basic Membership plus unlimited access to all our writing seminars and unlimited access to our weekly live Writers’ Huddles for mentoring & coaching… Simply the best value on the ‘net.