Lucy Brighton Author Events - Shipley Library

 

Lucy Brighton in action.

Greetings Writers and Readers!

On Saturday I joined Karen who runs Cleckheaton Writing Group for a day at Shipley to see thriller writer Lucy Brighton.

Lucy had two workshops for the library. In the morning there was Structuring a Killer Thriller. Then in the afternoon there was the Writing as a Business workshop.

 The first workshop Lucy spoke to us about what makes a thriller, giving us advice on how she writes and describing the three acts of a novel.  

These include:

• Set Up - introducing protagonist.
• Complications - obstacles to overcome.
• Resolution - climax and how the protagonist has acted.

Lucy also spoke about characters and had us writing introductions to our own.  Lucy also went over scene planning.

Sadly we had ran out of time but Lucy had provided handy workbooks for us.

It was then time for lunch where a few of the writers, including Lucy and her husband (also called Neil), myself and Karen went to a nice coffee shop called The Bothy where they specialised in breakfast and brunch.

The food was lovely.

In the afternoon Lucy held the Writing as a Business workshop.

This was more about the self marketing side of writing and putting yourself on social media sites, primarily TikTok and the subgenre of Booktok.

Lucy also mentioned YouTube and Instagram.

Lucy gave advice like linking all your media with Linktree and gave a run through of Canva and the importance of mailing lists.

Sadly this also went too fast. Both workshops could have each gone on for a full day each, but they were both informative and Lucy gave great advice.

Overall a fun informative day, especially as I'm getting back into writing.

Check out Lucy's website.

https://www.lucybrighton.com/

Neil x

Madness in Concert at Piece Hall

 Greetings!

Something a bit different for the blog.  Went to the Piece Hall in Halifax with my mate Andy.  Had a great time despite the weather and it was heaving!

So here's a few photos from last night!

June 2026 Update!

 

Hey Fellow Nerds!

Another month down for 2026 as we move into June.  May seemed to go on for ages for me.  Although I did manage a visit to Bradford Waterstones and have been productive writing wise.

May Review - Yesterday was the last day of the Facebook group Write Magic's annual Bootcamp. I've taken part in the past but usually stopped after a couple of days.

This time with a goal of 10,000 words I actually carried on and hit the target.  I actually enjoyed it and will definitely carry on writing but not as much. 

I managed to finish The Cubbyhole and the prologue to Urban X-Gore.

Reading wise I read some Salem's Lot by Stephen King, but put the reading on the back burner for my writing.

In June - As I mentioned above I'm still going to write but not as much.  I'm aiming for 5,000 to 8,000 words per month.  I also need to make more notes on the story before I write much more.

I'm definitely going to prioritise my reading in June and finish Salem's Lot in the next couple of days.  Then I can read some Gemmell.

I also plan to walk more and start some exercise as I didn't get chance in May with the writing challenge!

What are your plans for June?

Neil x

Mortal Kombat 2 - Film Review!

 

Hey Nerds!

It's been around 9 months since I last posted a film review.  Mainly because it's been 9 months since I last went to the cinema, to watch Fantastic Four.

Yesterday I went on my own to see Mortal Kombat 2.  The sequel to the 2021 film which I enjoyed alot and gave 9/10.

In this second film the tournament has begun but the forces of Earth under Raiden are a member down.

They enlist Johnny Cage a washed up martial artist and film star brilliantly played by Karl Urban.  He's one of my favourite actors and is different in everything he's in.  I've just finished watching The Boys finale a few days ago and his Johnny Cage is way different to his Billy Butcher.

He reluctantly goes with them to fight and stop the forces of Shao Khan. Shao Khan is using a magic amulet, powered by the thunder God Raiden to become immortal. The Earth team needs to find and destroy it before he kills them and wins the Mortal Kombat Tournament.

Overall - This film is just as action packed as the first film with plenty of gory fights.  Although the story itself is quite simple. Win your fight and find and destroy the magic amulet.  Yet it is worth watching.  Mainly for Johnny Cage and Kano who has been resureccted and (spoilers), switched sides to the Earth team.  They have some funny banter and nods to Lord of the Rings.

The special effects are really good except in one or two scenes yet the film whizzed past at speed which was good.

It looks like they have left things open for a Mortal Kombat 3 which I can't wait for.

Score -   9/10

The Cubbyhole - Finished at Last!

 

Hey Readers and Writers!

At last I've finished writing a short story.  The first short story I've finished in 10 years or more!

A short story I started way back in 2017 and been dipping into every now and then.

Based from a memory I had when younger, of a cubbyhole in my bedroom, which scared me and freaked out my over imagination.

It's still a rough draft so after a break I'll go back and edit it a few times as there will most likely be inconsistencies.

My thanks to Write Magic who had a writing Bootcamp in May which has helped.  They also had events similar over the years which have brought out the writer in me.

Now I can start my novel / novella Urban X-Gore. Set in the same world.

I even wrote a small tribute to my ex girlfriend who tragically died last year and has the same name as one of the protagonist's - Jane.  Sadly she never got to read any of it.

So what are you reading or writing?

Neil x

Writing / Bootcamp Update

 

Hi Writing Troops!

As I'm busy writing The Cubbyhole horror short story, I haven't had time to blog.  So thought I'd give you an update as we are now on Day 9.

I have to admit I missed the first 2 days and I've had a slow start, plus at the moment I'm behind in my May target of 10,000 words!

So far I've written 2,161 words so need to move quicker.  Especially as I've started to enjoy writing more.

I've nearly finished The Cubbyhole so by the end of next week I'll have started a novel which has links to The Cubbyhole, which I hope to publish in the same paperback as a free short story.

So are you reading or writing? If so what?

Neil x

May 2026 Update!

 

Hey Nerds!

Into May already.  April was another month that flew by too quickly.  And like the Cherry Blossom gone too soon.

April Review - April was a quiet month and again I didn't start exercising but ate slightly healthier.

Although I did go on more walks as the weather became sunnier and warmer.

An excellent walk was to a village called Norwood Green.

I'm still reading Salem's Lot by Stephen King.

I also didn't start writing in April either.

In May -  I'm definitely finishing reading Salem's Lot in the first week of May as I've so many books I want to read. I'm enjoying it a lot.

I'll also definitely be writing in May.  The Facebook writing group Write Magic have two annual writing months per year where you set your writing goals and are encouraged to hit targets.  

This May it's Writing Bootcamp.  I've set my target for 10,000 words to write in May.  Although I've still to get writing!

In May I'm hoping to exercise more.  With more walks and some exercise at home slowly building up to going back to the gym.  I will also cut out snacks in May and eat healthy.

So what are your May goals?

Neil x