Short Story from writing prompts

Theme:  Back to School – Here are some writing prompts on the theme of going back to school. This could be for the children or grandchildren in your world or you returning to school for adult education. Write a story about the excitement you felt when unpacking your school text-books and needs at the beginning…

Happy Australia Day – and writing prompts

It's bright and sunny and we're off for our daily walk. I'm wishing you all a wonderful Australia Day! As promised I'm posting some writing prompts to get your creative juices going. These are in the Gold Coast Writers e-Writeabout Newsletter also and I'm hoping my fellow creatives will enjoy thinking up stories.  Theme:  Back…

Day 12 – 12 Days of Christmas Writing Challenge

This is the last day of this challenge. It has me thinking of great ideas for prompts on other themes. Would you be interested in joining a writing challenge with me? Day 12 Writing Prompt Hello Jill,Welcome to Day 12 of the 12 Days of Christmas. I hope you've enjoyed these prompts as much as I enjoyed…

Day 11 – 12 Days of Christmas Writing Challenge

This is a good prompt for me. What do you think? Day 11 Writing Prompt Hello Jill,Today is the 11th day of the 12 Days of Christmas.Write a story to do with the number 11.It could be an event that happens on the 11th, a story about child number 11, something that happens at 11am, a story…

Day 10 – 12 Days of Christmas Challenge

Nearly at the end of the 12 days of Christmas prompts - I hope you like this one, I think this is a great beginning. What do you think? Hello Jill,You are on holidays and spend some time at the beach. You find a message in a bottle.Write a story about the message in a bottle.…

Day 9 – 12 Days of Christmas Challenge

Day 9 Writing Prompt Hello Jill,We're on the home stretch now, only a few days left to go.Today, write a story that uses the following words:Potato, Budgie, Fireworks, Coffee, PlaygroundMelissa Gijsbers This is a fun little story you might enjoy! Day 9 - The 12 days of Christmas Write a story that uses the following words: Potato, Budgie,…

Day 8 – 12 Days of Christmas writing prompts

Day 8 Writing Prompt Hello Jill,Happy New Year.The writing prompt for today is:You have stayed up to welcome in the New Year. When you went to bed, everything was as it should be, however, when you wake up, everything has changed.Write a story about what has changed, how you react to it, and, if relevant, how you…

Day 7 – 12 Days of Christmas writing challenge

This is a little different. A friend of mine wants me to continue this story. What do you think? Day 7 Writing Prompt Hello Jill,It's New Years Eve. There are all sorts of traditions from around the world, such as eating 12 grapes at midnight in Spain.Write a story about an unknown family tradition for welcoming in…

Day 6 – 12 Days of Christmas writing challenge

Here's the next prompt and story. Day 6 Writing Prompt Hello Jill,This email should have been sent out yesterday, however I was spending some time with my kids and missed sending it!Today's writing prompt is inspired by my activities yesterday:For Christmas, you were given vouchers to a shop called 'The Imaginary Compass', a shop you had never…

Day 5 – 12 Days of Christmas writing challenge

Day 5 Writing Prompt This was a tricky one, I think I ended up nailing it! Hello Jill,The last few years, we have had a last line writing prompt on Day 5, and this year is no different.The last line of your story: She made up her mind never to use bright orange tinsel on the Christmas…

Day 4 12 Days of Christmas writing prompts

Day 4 Writing Prompt Hello Jill,So many people seem to be packing up their Christmas decorations at the moment, and that is inspiring today's writing prompt:You are packing away all the Christmas decorations and find a gift that was missed on Christmas Day. The label has your name on it, but you can't read who it is…

Day 3 – 12 Days of Christmas writing challenge

Day 3 Writing Prompt Hello Jill,It turned out there was a glitch in the system, meaning that some of you may have missed out on the first two writing prompts. If that was you, let me know and I'll send them to you.The week after Christmas, we would live on leftovers from Christmas Day. As a result,…

Day 2 12 Days of Christmas writing challenge

Day 2 12 Days of Christmas Writing Prompts Hello Jill,When I was a kid, my dad would tell me that Boxing Day was called Boxing Day as it was the day we all had to pack up all our presents and put them back in the box so we could take them back to the shops!!The name actually…

Day 1 – 12 Days of Christmas writing challenge

Yesterday I said I was on the last day of this writing challenge. I've enjoyed it so much, thanks Melissa Gijsbers for the great prompts, I thought I'd share the prompts and the stories I've written as a result with my blog followers. Day 1 Writing Prompt Hello Jill,Happy Christmas. I hope you've had a wonderful…

12 Days of Christmas Writing prompts

I've been busy writing short stories to go with this years 12 days of Christmas prompts by Mellissa Gijsbers to start 2021 off with a creative bang. Did you know the twelve days of Christmas are from Christmas Day 25th December to the 5th January. Today is the last day of the Challenge. I'll be…

Happy New Year

Cheers everyone! Have a safe and happy celebration! May 2021 bring you love, time with family members, be creative and innovative and enjoy overcoming challenges. Life is short, live every minute. - Jill

Viking Voyager by Sverrir Sigurdsson and Veronica Li Book Review by Jill Smith

Book Review by Jill Smith@Dec20 Title: Viking Voyager an Icelandic Memoir Author: Sverrir Sigurdsson with Veronica Li Publisher: Mascot Books This is a fascinating memoir that spans an amazing life, a difficult marriage, a pledge to travel led by Sverrir’s career and a Viking Voyager wanderlust. The book starts with a background of the family…

My year in books Goodreads link

The countdown to Christmas is with us. We're days away from the big day. Here is the promised my year in books: https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2020/28698013 53 books and my target was 50 - Will I push myself and extend the target for next year? I hope you've been enjoying the festive season with family, friends and that…

Christmas Festivities are here!

This week I had a Christmas party with my fellow writers The Ten Penner's. It was great to chill out in the pool, talk books, sell a couple of books and eat, drink and be merry. Then I had a Christmas lunch with my fellow volunteers, great workmates and friends at St Vincent de Paul's…

Achievements accomplished

It's the first of December and I'm reflecting on my achievements this year, I'm looking back on what has been a terrible year in many ways, but successful in others. These were the goals I set myself in January 2020. The first two I have accomplished and am now waiting on the physical proof to…

NaNoWriMo Winner

I'm a NaNoWriMo Winner! Yes, 50 hours editing, using the 1hour = 1000 words equation that's 50,000 words. I'm still working towards submitting it by the end of the month. The heats still on!!

NaNoWriMo Update – Day 23 am

NaNoWriMo Update - Day 23 AM - 45000 / 50000total words Nov 23, 2020 2000 words Nov 22, 2020 1000 words Nov 22, 2020 2000 words Nov 21, 2020 1000 words Nov 20, 2020 254 words Nov 20, 20201000 words Nov 19, 20201500 words - this is on the 1 hour = 1000 words equation Our daily walks take us to the path along the…

NaNoWriMo update – Day 18

I've had a massive day - Four and a half hours - 36246 / 50000total words I'm enjoying culling and rewriting to make my story flow better and merge the two manuscripts. Neo, is a good kid. I like him. He's clumsy, but resourceful! He's shy, but bold when he has to be. He's proud of his mum…

NaNoWriMo update – Day 16

I've not been doing daily updates so I'll recap the whole month so far. Editing using the 1hour = 1000 words equation. Although I'm re-writing a lot of the original, and have thrown in book reviews and blog posts. This is my total so far. 29746 / 50000 total words Nov 16, 2020 2000 words Nov 15, 2020 2250 words…

Books on Tour Blog Tour- Solo Dan by Teena Raffa-Mulligan and Kym Langfield

Books on Tour Blog tour – Solo Dan I'm thrilled to be part of this blog tour. Today is the first day. Daisy Lane Publishing: Picture Book helps children understand the value of family and relationships. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Teena Raffa-Mulligan writes whimsical and quirky stories for children of all ages and her publications include…

Book Review Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants by Lois Wickstrom and Milagros Darling

Book Review by Jill Smith Title: Xenia Navarro and the Magic Ants Authors: Milagros Darling and Lois Wickstrom Publisher: Dreaming Big Publications Xenia Navarro and her brother Lucas live with their mother who is a wonderful cook. Even the town Mayor wants her to cook for him. But the family live under a constant threat,…

NaNoWriMo update – Day 10

NaNoWriMo - 17996 words total to date Nov 10, 2020 1000 words Nov 10, 2020 1000 words Nov 9, 2020 2000 words jillwriterqld Kirra Gold Coast QueenslandMember since Oct 24, 2011 https://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com/ Tell 'em You're Dreaming  This is a book full of enchanting Aussie poems and stories. You can hear the kookaburras laughing as you read. The “Occer” feel…

NaNoWriMo update Day 8

Word total to date - 13996 / 50000total words After reading my first chapter at The Ten Penners Meeting yesterday, I corrected some some editing errors and fixed what I've done to date. I've gone over my editing back up. Neo is my nearly eleven year old main character. Zeb is looking after him while his mother works.…

NaNoWriMo – Day 5

Day 5 NaNoWriMo - after work I've managed another hour and a half maybe two if I use the word count is on the equation 1 hour equals 1000 words. This book is slow going as I'm virtually rewriting it and picking and choosing from the original manuscript how to combine the theme more succinctly.…

Day 1 NaNoWriMo

After our usual day out enjoying the sunshine and a lovely long walk we returned home so I could watch the book launch of ‘Tell ‘em You’re Dreaming’ Bedtime Ballads & Tall Tales from the Australian Bush by Share Your Story Angels. I’m glad to be one of the contributors and at 10 am it…

Tell ’em They’re Dreaming Book Launch Sunday 1st November

I’m one of the contributing authors to this wonderful anthology and am delighted to announce that tomorrow the launch will showcase on Facebook videos of the authors performing part of their work. I’ve read a portion of my story ‘Larrikin Lyle’. Tell 'em They're Dreaming: Bedtime Ballads and Tall Tales from the Australian Bush (3) Paperback…

Prepping for NaNoWriMo 2020

I've just updated my profile on the NaNoWriMo page ready for the first of November. Jill Smith,I am an author of Dual Visions, Book 1 of The Ancient Alien Series, and Vashla's World, Book 2 of the Ancient Alien Series. 'Travellers' Book 3 of the Ancient Alien Series is a manuscript I'm working on.I've also…

The Nefarious Necklace, Gaby’s Ghosts Book One by K A Evans reviewed by Jill Smith

book review Book Review by Jill Smith©Oct20 Title: The Nefarious Necklace, Gaby’s Ghosts Book One Author: K A Evans https://kellyaevans.com/ Publisher: Eska Publishing 2020 Gaby and her best friend Jacob are excited about going on a school trip to the museum. He’s quick to remind her that the chocolate chip cookies in the museum café…

Drum roll please…

I made the long list of the Just Write for Kids Pitch It competition! Yay, so excited. Now waiting to see the short list! Now there's no doubt I'll be working on Microworld for my editing during November for NaNoWriMo. Here's my entry: Title.   Microworld Genre: YA Science Fiction Words: 80,000 approx. Comparative titles:…

Reading, Writing and friendship

Yesterday, at the The Ten Penners monthly meeting we had a great chat about books, where we're at with our current projects, and what we're all planning to do for NaNoWriMo this November. We compared computer programs and what works best for us individually. We made four great story beginnings in our creative writing exercise.…

The Ten Penners are meeting this weekend

We'll be poolside at Marion's housing complex, last month we met at a cafe then went out into the park. Saturday I'll be enjoying the banter of my passionate writing friends The Ten Penners. We've been Zooming for months and getting together is great. Still can't get to the library due to restrictions but that…

The Reluctant Wizard by A A Warne reviewed by Jill Smith

Book Review by Jill Smith©Aug20 Title: The Reluctant Wizard by A A Warne Eli loves his mother and baby brother, and his Uncle Izaec. He’s so devastated at the loss of his father who was his hero. Seeing his mother and brother starve because the war between the Wizards and the Warlocks means they have…

The Drums of Dundurn by Kelly Evans reviewed by Jill Smith

Book Review by Jill Smith©Aug20 Title: The Drums of Dundurn Author: Kelly Evans Publisher: Eska Publishing 2020 This is an engrossing read for young adults. It’s full of history, ghosts, and how to get rid of them. Minnie MacNab hears the drums, but no one else in her family believes her. Only her friend William,…

Win a copy of ‘Patrick White’ by Toni Brisland

Book Review by Jill Smith©Aug20      Title: Patrick White Author: Toni Brisland Illustrations: Anastasia Popp      This is a beautiful book, eloquently written by Toni Brisland, for upper primary children aged 8 to 12. Patrick began life as the son of wealthy Australian property holders who were in England for his birth, on 28th May…

Camp NaNoWriMo – I’m a Winner!

Talk about leaving it till the last minute - 50223 / 50000 total words. I made the target! Yay and Phew! Jul 31, 2020 1200 words Jul 30, 2020 1000 words Jul 30, 2020 1000 words Now onto the next tasks! The Ten Penners have a monthly meeting tomorrow. Whether we are Zooming or meeting up to social distance…

Camp NaNoWriMo and next project

Here we are on the 30th July and I've added another little bit to my running total - 47023 / 50000 total words Jul 30, 2020 1400 words Jul 29, 2020 1000 words Jul 28, 2020 2000 words Jul 27, 2020 1000 words I hope to finish the word count later today, crossing my fingers on that! My next project is…

Camp NaNoWriMo update …countdown

The final few days of Camp NaNoWriMo are here and I'm still just on the target line, but having done 2 hours or using my equation 1000 words = 1 hour, I've added 2000 words tonight. The running total is 44623 / 50000 total words Will I manage a bit over 5 more hours over the last three…

Camp NaNoWriMo update 27th July

Since my last post, I've had some good days and some bad days, but never mind the end is in sight. Total words to the end of last night, but I've yet to start tonight. I'm under the timeline to reach my target but I've high hopes that I'll complete the 50,000 words or in…

Camp NaNoWriMo keeps plugging along

Camp NaNoWriMo keeps plugging along, it's cold today and we're waiting for a tradesman (surprise, surprise - we're still waiting two hours after he said he'd be here), a great time for editing. Jul 22, 2020 1800 words Jul 22, 2020 - This was really the 21st but I finished up just after midnight 1800 words Jul…

Camp NaNoWriMo update and book review

  Camp NaNoWriMo Day 18, sort of on track, I'm on the line with 29073 words tracking towards the 50000 words total. Since day 14 the last post of NaNo challenge: Jul 18, 2020, Not editing today, just writing. 800 words  Today I was writing my book review. I have read this book before and…

Camp NaNoWriMo update Day 14

The magic is still happening from my last update on 8th July through to today the 14th of July. My running total is 22,773 words moving towards the 50,000 words total. Jul 14, 2020 1750 words Jul 13, 2020 1000 words Jul 12, 2020 1250 words Jul 11, 2020 1500 words Jul 10, 2020 2500 words Jul 10, 2020 500 words…

Camp NaNoWriMo update & writing goals

Jul 8, 2020   ( This was 7th July at Midnight so I've still to start today ) 1500 words Jul 6, 2020 1500 words Jul 5, 2020 1500 words Jul 4, 2020 2500 words Jul 3, 2020 2225 words Jul 3, 2020 2027 words Jul 1, 2020 1271 words Jul 1, 2020 500 words So far so good, I'm not writing, I'm…

Camp NaNoWriMo progress

I've made a good start to my editing plan for NaNoWriMo. Again, using the 1 hour equals 1000 words, this is what I'm up to. July 1 - Day 1 - 1771 words July 2 - Day 2 - 2027 words July 3 - Day 3 - 2225 words July 4 - Day 4 -…

Camp NaNoWriMo is back on

1st July was the start of Camp NaNoWriMo. I’m still editing so its a great incentive to get in there and do more each day. Yesterday I managed 2224 words or using the 1 hour equals 1000 words equation 2 1/4 hours. As I’ve just started part-time work, it will be a challenge to reach…

Tribute to Jessica Blackadder

Australian author Jesse Blackadder, whose award-winning work ranged from historical fiction to books for children, has died aged 56 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Robert Moran, Sydney Morning Herald June 12, 2020 I met Jesse at a Gold Coast Writers Literary Luncheon several years ago. She was a warm and engaging person with generous…