Costa Blanca News’ weekly feature supporting local writers, in conjunction with Writers' Ink

WELCOME to our Writers’ Ink group’s weekly words. We provide news, views, tips and examples of writing by authors and poets, local and beyond.

Founded in 2010 by WordPlay, our purpose is to encourage writers to write and get them published and read. Keep writing! Hi everyone!

ANOTHER week hits the deck… Hope yours has been an enjoyable one.

Last time, we covered the writing of six word stories as, maybe, a dip into the vast depths of the art, and joys of writing, which await anyone interested to learn. Whether you are just looking for a hobby, or wish to pursue a long-held desire to be a serious writer, it can be a fascinating journey.

There are a wealth of 'help' books on the market, and a stream of assistance via the internet, to help you. Whether you want to 'go it alone' or join a group of writers is totally up to you. There are many writing workshops dotted all over the place in many towns and countries, so you won't have to look far.

Apart from my own, modest, group: Writers' Ink, many of the popular U3A groups (University of the Third Age), offer either classes or leaders to assist. I ran one in the Torrevieja area for a few years, which was great fun. I mentioned penning fifty-word stories to stretch writers a tad, last week… They can be about any subject, and can be as dramatic, simple or far-fetched and preposterous as you fancy... Way back, when the character was more 'topical, I wrote the following 50-word story and won ‘a meal for two’ in a very nice restaurant:

Seen Lionel?

“Geoffrey! Long-time no see, old boy... How are you? Seen anything of Lionel? Those were the days, eh! America you say?”

“Haven't heard in ages. Last time he wrote, he was off to have dinner with someone he'd just met. Hannibal Lector he said his name was.”

“Unusual that!”

Memoir writing and autobiographies are also quite popular. If something unusual or particularly interesting has happened in your life, get cracking and record it! Mention skeletons in cupboards, if you must, but be careful you don't ruin good relationships in the process! Amusing incidents are often worth polishing and using too.

But whether you want to write short stories or stretch to a book, you can do no better than read as many varied books as you can, and do research on a specific genre you favour.

If you do decide to take up or continue writing, please know there are hordes of likeminded people online or ‘out here’, willing to help. Good luck.