Welcome to this week’s writing prompt. Hope you’re all safe and well. We’ve had a very mild week here in Dundee, in comparison to the blizzards and freezing cold temperatures of last week. It’s hard to believe the difference a week makes – and it’s nice to see the roads and pavements again!
This week also marked the first anniversary of my becoming Fiction Editor here at the “Friend”. I thought that both these events might provide some story inspiration.
Special Occasions
Anniversaries. Wedding anniversaries – the first; silver, pearl, ruby, golden; and all the years in between.
Milestone birthdays. Remembrances.
Special occasions – we’re always looking for stories set around specific dates, eg Mother’s and Father’s Day; Pancake Day; May Day; Valentine’s; Easter and Christmas, Advent and Lent. And stories set seasonally are always welcome.
Working Life
New jobs. Fresh starts.
Interviews. Selection processes. Waiting for news.
Weather
The great British weather – unpredictable, and often beautiful, as you can see in Angela’s Editor’s Diary this week.
Snow – flurries, or blizzards, bringing everything to a standstill. And ice – walking on the pavements was a challenge!
Snow days. Home schooling. And what a difference a week can make, weather-wise, or generally.
What We’re Looking For At The Moment
If you’re a published Friend author, we’re currently looking for stories for the weekly magazine from late Spring and early summer onwards. For the Special, we’re into mid and late summer now. For the Annual 2023, we’re looking especially for stories set around the first half of the year.
Length-wise, we’re always in need of 2000 and 3000 word stories, with 10% leeway either way, and stories which fit our Special template.
As we’re still working from home, I’ve put together a Q&A which I hope will be helpful in answering any questions you may have around “People’s Friend” fiction.
Lucy Crichton Better known as “Fiction Editor Lucy”, I am always on the look-out for the very best short stories, poems and pocket novels. As well as sourcing enjoyable content, I enjoy working with our established contributors, encouraging new talent, and celebrating 155 years of “Friend” fiction!
