What’s it like to live through history?

June 27, 2016June 27, 2016 / kirstwrites / 1 Comment

I’m sharing this blog from my good friend Anna – in amongst all the partisan political debate of the last few days, it’s good to have a historian taking the long view!

Dark Age Voices

I was talking to my two older children the other day about how significant the EU referendum could be. How one day they may be telling their grandchildren about what it was like to live through this day and the events surrounding it.

This got me thinking of the significant historical events of my lifetime and two immediately sprang to mind. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the terrorist attacks of 9/11 in 2001. So, how will I answer my children and one day my grandchildren when they ask what it was like to live through those times?

The strange thing is that the answer is “pretty ordinary”. If you are directly involved in such events the effects are immediate and obvious. For the East-Berliner on the 9th November 1989, catching up with a cousin they hadn’t seen in decades or for the people of New York…

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Bread and Circuses

June 27, 2016July 10, 2018 / kirstwrites / 3 Comments

London, March 2019: "Trust me David, Michael, trust me. This will work." The two Secretaries of State looked at the Prime Minister doubtfully as he fastened his blue safety helmet, and examined his appearance in the mirror. "Are you sure Boris?" Michael asked, "I mean, today of all days?" "Today is EXACTLY the day!" The … Continue reading Bread and Circuses

June 24th 2016: lost a continent, gained … a cat?

June 24, 2016May 3, 2018 / kirstwrites / 7 Comments

Everyone always remembers where they were when .... at this point you can insert the unique cultural reference point of your generation; for my parents it was when JFK was shot, for us up until now it was probably 9:11, but from now on it will be probably be the day Britain voted to leave … Continue reading June 24th 2016: lost a continent, gained … a cat?

National Den Day – is that a thing?

June 22, 2016June 21, 2016 / kirstwrites / Leave a comment

So, I spent Saturday night sleeping on the sofa. Not because I'd argued with Mr Kirstwrites and abandoned the marital bed, but in honour of something called National Den Day. I know what you're thinking: Den Day, is that really a thing? Well yes it is - I could be cynical here and say that anything can be … Continue reading National Den Day – is that a thing?

Six Word Story Challenge: Tease

June 21, 2016June 20, 2016 / kirstwrites / Leave a comment

Sisters spent childhood squabbling, snatching toys. A six word story about life in our house! Written for Sometimes Stellar Storyteller's Six Word Challenge - check out the other entries here.

Weekly Photo Prompt: Road

June 20, 2016June 19, 2016 / kirstwrites / 2 Comments

Welcome to my weekly photo prompt! Every Monday I will share a photo which I like, and taking it as a starting point, I'll endeavour to come up with a piece of creative writing. This might be a 100 word story, a poem, haiku, limerick or long piece - I'm not setting any rules apart from … Continue reading Weekly Photo Prompt: Road

Derelict

June 17, 2016June 17, 2016 / kirstwrites / Leave a comment

A truly creepy ending to this story! Beware seemingly deserted houses as dusk is falling….

Becoming Unstuck

Photo Credit: kirstwrites

After being evicted from the property where he’d been living for two years, Will alternated between staying in homeless shelters and temporarily vacant homes, and occasionally had to sleep on the streets. Tired of moving around, he was looking for an abandoned house to occupy on a more permanent basis, recently setting his sights on one that ticked most of the boxes: a grossly overgrown lawn, a mailbox full of uncollected post, no lights at night for months on end, etc.

At dusk, he looked through the window at the first sprinkling of snow that season, and the thought of having to sleep outside spurred him into action. After gathering his meagre belongings, he crawled into his sleeping bag for a nap, preparing himself for the night ahead.

Jolted awake by a passing car blasting punk rock, Will was confused by his whereabouts for a moment. Recalling…

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Six Word Story Challenge: Insult

June 15, 2016June 13, 2016 / kirstwrites / 2 Comments

Glad to be back to the Six Word Story Challenge this week, after missing a couple due to holidays and post-holiday catch up (mainly laundry!). This week's theme is 'insult' and here's mine: "Your life's work? Worthless!" he sneered. If you can master the art of brevity, and come up with a story in just … Continue reading Six Word Story Challenge: Insult

Weekly Photo Prompt: “Across the fence”

June 13, 2016June 12, 2016 / kirstwrites / 5 Comments

Welcome to my weekly photo prompt! Every Monday I will share a photo which I like, and taking it as a starting point, I'll endeavour to come up with a piece of creative writing. This might be a 100 word story, a poem, haiku, limerick or longer piece - I'm not setting any rules apart from … Continue reading Weekly Photo Prompt: “Across the fence”

Weekly Photo Prompt: “dials”

June 6, 2016June 6, 2016 / kirstwrites / 3 Comments

Welcome to my weekly photo prompt! Every Monday I will share a photo which I like, and taking it as a starting point, I'll endeavour to come up with a piece of creative writing. This might be a 100 word story, a poem, haiku, limerick or longer piece - I'm not setting any rules apart from … Continue reading Weekly Photo Prompt: “dials”