The Handless Maiden (complete story)

08/06/201720/02/2018 Jessica DavidsonLeave a comment

There are many versions of The Handless Maiden from around the world. It’s a fairy tale that was collected by the Brothers Grimm in 1812, but its roots are much older. This telling is my adaptation of the tale with gratitude to Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Read the introduction to this series here or follow the… Continue reading The Handless Maiden (complete story)

Writing

Proof that robots will never be authors

26/01/201620/02/2018 Jessica Davidson19 Comments

Here’s a randomly generated short story I created using Plot Generator – a site that lets you input various details and then creates a random story with your settings. You can use it to get inspiration or just to mess about and have a laugh. The results are proof that creative writing involves a little… Continue reading Proof that robots will never be authors

Writing

Writing Exercise: Newspaper Headline

02/07/201520/02/2018 Jessica Davidson3 Comments

This exercise uses a newspaper headline as a starting point for a piece of writing. It’s not about trying to write something perfect or even interesting, just take a headline from a newspaper or online and see what ideas it triggers. Allow your pen to go with the flow of whatever comes up and write… Continue reading Writing Exercise: Newspaper Headline

Writing

Writing Exercise: Random Story Generator

29/06/201520/02/2018 Jessica Davidson1 Comment

This writing exercise is a way to challenge yourself and have fun at the same time. The idea is to pick three random words, the more disconnected from each other the better, and then add an emotion. Then you write for ten minutes and incorporate all the words in a way that conveys the emotion… Continue reading Writing Exercise: Random Story Generator

Writing

Writing Conference Notes: Part 2 – Pitching

13/06/201515/02/2019 Jessica Davidson1 Comment

The Newcastle Writing Conference included various break-out sessions, such as websites and blogging, how to edit your work, vlogging, and meet the agent with Mark Stanton. But I chose the pitching session, because I already have a blog, I didn’t have a piece of work I was willing to share in the editing session, I… Continue reading Writing Conference Notes: Part 2 – Pitching

Mythology · Psychology

Going Dark: Stalking the Predator

25/05/201515/02/2019 Jessica Davidson6 Comments

“One does not become conscious by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” – CG Jung There’s a demonic creature that stalks us through our nightmares. He targets the innocent and the hopeful. He squats in the dark, hidden until he attacks. He wants to destroy us, to stop us from growing… Continue reading Going Dark: Stalking the Predator