BRIDGET WHELAN writer

for writers and readers….

Why We Need Fiction – George Saunders QUOTES FOR WRITERS

Fiction is a kind of compassion-generating machine that saves us from sloth. Is life kind or cruel? Yes, Literature answers. Are people good or bad? You bet, says Literature. But … Continue reading

September 4, 2022 · 2 Comments

“…if you scorn getting yourself dusty, then you shouldn’t try fiction…” Flannery O’Connor on what writers write about QUOTES FOR WRITERS

Fiction is about everything human and we are made out of dust, and if you scorn getting yourself dusty, then you shouldn’t try fiction. It’s not a grand enough job … Continue reading

June 13, 2021 · 4 Comments

SUBMISSIONS WINDOW – send your fiction, non fiction and poetry to Salt Publishing

For the entire month of November 2020 Salt Publishing are unlocking the windows and flinging open the doors to writers of fiction (novels and short stories), narrative non-fiction and poetry. … Continue reading

October 31, 2020 · Leave a comment

The difference between journalism and fiction Garcia Marquez QUOTES FOR WRITERS

In journalism just one fact that is false prejudices the entire work. In contrast, in fiction one single fact that is true gives legitimacy to the entire work. That’s the … Continue reading

August 2, 2020 · Leave a comment

Literature declines to eradicate one truth in favor of another…says George Saunders QUOTES FOR WRITERS

Fiction is a kind of compassion-generating machine that saves us from sloth. Is life kind or cruel? Yes, Literature answers. Are people good or bad? You bet, says Literature. But … Continue reading

June 14, 2020 · 3 Comments

START THE WEEK with a writing exercise: Creating a Dark Character

AS WRITERS WE NEED people to do bad things: they create story. They may not be the heart of your writing, the central core, but they kickstart action and reaction. … Continue reading

June 1, 2020 · 3 Comments

Our stories are as unique as snowflakes – Donald Maass QUOTES FOR WRITERS

…We may have dens with trophies on the mantles, but when we tell the stories of our lives, we relate the meaning of things that happened and describe how we … Continue reading

March 8, 2020 · 2 Comments

Developing empathy – what fiction does for us: Laila Lalami QUOTES FOR WRITERS

Stories help us see the world through the eyes of others: We see what they see; we’re provoked or inspired or amused; we take sides or withhold judgment—but in the … Continue reading

February 3, 2019 · Leave a comment

Spring Travel Writing Competition for fiction and non fiction

Nowhere is an online magazine that celebrates its 10th birthday this year. It publishes literary travel writing which they define as narrative with a strong sense of place, character or … Continue reading

April 16, 2018 · 4 Comments

Why we turn to fiction…Arundhati Roy QUOTES FOR WRITERS (and people who like quotes)

Fiction is truth. You turn to fiction when you can’t express reality with footnotes and evidence and reportage. Arundhati Roy

February 4, 2018 · 2 Comments

Win a University Place with this short story competition

The University of East London is breaking new ground with their free fiction competition, running for the first time this year. Open to young people aged 16-19 living or going … Continue reading

December 14, 2016 · 3 Comments

Harry Potter and the American election

A high-level study has come to the conclusion that Harry Potter fans won’t be voting for Donald Trump today. The Institute for the Study of Citizens and Politics (a non-partisan … Continue reading

November 8, 2016 · 4 Comments

A Woman Only Writing Competition with a special prize: time to write

Need space, time and hard cash in order to write?  Words And Women are offering all three to the winner of their 2016 prose competition. First prize is £1,000 and … Continue reading

November 4, 2016 · 1 Comment

Reminder for writers of commerical fiction: major literary agent wants to see your manuscript

TOMORROW!! Check out my post about United Agents Open House policy throughout August. Tomorrow  is the day for commerical fiction authors.

August 14, 2016 · Leave a comment

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