The feature story is a potent and vital form of literary non-fiction. Here, Anthony Cockerill charts its evolution through the years. Of all the different ways to tell stories, the feature article is one of the most compelling, especially when it's in the right hands. It's a mainstay of contemporary journalism: a set-piece at the … Continue reading The indispensable guide to what makes a great feature story
The forest trail is gently yielding. And the forest is a place where the imagination is allowed to wander too. The woods of the North York Moors are, without doubt, my favourite place to walk. Yes, a hike up a fell in the dales is sometimes just the job – a formidable trek as the … Continue reading ‘Follow the forest trail: walking in the North York Moors’
Essential advice on how to craft a great English literature essay at university - and how to avoid rookie mistakes. If you've just begun to study English literature at university, the prospect of writing that first essay can be daunting. Tutors will likely offer little in the way of assistance in the process of planning … Continue reading How to write great English literature essays at university
Want to improve your short stories - or help your students improve theirs? Flash fiction is a great way to start. The enduring appeal of short stories 'Short stories are tiny windows into other worlds and other minds and other dreams. They are journeys you can make to the far side of the universe and … Continue reading Nine things you need to do to start writing great flash fiction
We used to call her The Stick Insect. It was cruel but completely appropriate. She had a tall, awkward, brittle body. When she walked, it seemed like she might snap or be blown away by a strong gust of wind. Her face was pale and cratered, puckered like pink polypi. Her cheekbones were misaligned, eyes … Continue reading ‘The Stick Insect’
It was a place of frustrated ambitions, low aspirations and barely suppressed cruelty. It was a despondent place. The urinals were old and cracked, heavy with the smell of ammonia and disinfectant blocks. The tiles were dirty; soaked paper towels had been compacted and thrown at the ceiling. The stalls had doors with large … Continue reading ‘Vantage Point’
