April Announcement; A To Z Challenge 2019

Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I’m taking part in the A-Z Challenge again this year. Sorry, my for the late notice but I’m currently ill and struggling with lots of things, including mental health problems.

As of yet, I’ve not put anything together for the challenge but my plan will be like that of the last few years of taking part. I’ll search out words of different kinds that I’ve never heard of before and use them to base a story around. Some stories might also include inspiration from other imagine or writing prompts which I shall note.

The link to the challenge is here; http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/ there’s still time to sign up and get involved.

Thank you for all the support and inspiration I receive from all you comments and likes. They do help to keep me going when I’m struggling to write. Here’s to many more short stories!

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A-Z Challenge 2018

Hi everyone,

It’s almost that time of year again for the A-Z blogging challenge! I’ve been thinking over the last few weeks that I need to keep an eye out for it and start planning what I’m going to do this year. Well, today is sign up and theme reveal day! I’ve just done that so here’s the link if you want to check it out; http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com

I’ve decided that due to have so much fun with it last year that once again I’m going to put together a list of words and their meanings that are new to me and I feel inspired by. I’ll then center a short story around each of the words and post ever day as I would normally do. These words can come from anywhere and I’ll be using Pinterest and the ‘word’ board I’ve on there to help me gather and select the words.

Also, like last year, some of the short stories will have a part 2 on a Sundays which are none writing days for the challenge but I’ll still be going!

Here’s a link to my previous years undertaking of the challenge; https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/category/a-z-challenge/

I’m looking forward to seeing what short stories I can create and also how other bloggers are taking part.

Thanks for all your support and happen readings!

Hayley.

 

Happy 3rd Anniversary to The Story Files!

Hi everyone,

WordPress has just told me that today is The Story Files’ 3rd anniversary even though I started writing this blog in the middle of 2014. I don’t know how the dates and times work out, I’ve a disability in maths. I’m also dyslexic, so how I ended up with a love of reading and writing, I’ll never know, but I’m thankful for it.

Writing stories has been my escape and stress relief since I was a child, despite the challenges I’ve had with letters, words and grammar! I’ve always found that novels- the ones I read and the ones I write, were there for me when no one else really was. Luckily, things are different for me today but I still finding writing good for dealing with my problems.

I started writing this blog soon after a graduated from a Masters degree in Creative Writing. I had serious depression and was feeling at a lost as to what to do with my life. In doing this blog, I forced myself to write a story a day, thus giving me an active thing to do each day no matter what. This and also rediscovering a love for crafts, helped me get over the depression.

Now though, I’m in the habit of writing stories for this blog. I enjoy it and I know for an hour or so each day I can escape into writing. if I can’t make time for it, I work it into whatever I’m doing during the day; I’ll write at lunch and my breaks, sometimes even when I’m meant to be working! Sometimes though, I don’t write a story everyday because I might be away for a weekend etc and it’s good at that time to give my mind a small break. In that case, I’ll write the number of stories needed on other days and that helped to mix things up for me and allows the creativity to grew further.

Originally, I started this blog to give myself some space. I didn’t care who read it or liked or commented because that wasn’t important to me. Over the years, that has changed and now I love feedback in anyway. It’s important to help my writing improve and I feel so happy every time someone lets me know they’ve liked a story and or they take the time to comment to tell me so.

I don’t know what the future is for this blog or my stories. I hope to continue as long as possible. Perhaps, one day I’ll make an anthology, or work on some stories to publish or maybe even write another novel – been awhile since my last one! Whatever happens, I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who follows, likes, comments and shares my blog. I appreciate you all so much and you help inspire me to keep writing.

If you’d like to know more about me and also read the book reviews I write please check out my other blog; https://hailscrazyblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Thank you again!

Hayley.

 

A-Z Challenge 2017

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say that I’m taking apart in the A-Z Challenge again! So, starting from tomorrow all my posts, beside from the Sunday ones, are going to be on a set theme and follow the letters of the alphabet. If you want to know more, you can check it out here; http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/

My theme this year is to do with words. So, I’ve researched and selected 26 different words that I like the sounds and meanings of. These words are either from different languages, archaic, scientific or unusual English words. Each word will form the base of the short story.

On Sundays, which are none writing days on the challenge, I’ll take the previous story and continue it or expand on it. Just so that things stay flowing and I’m still in the mind set to do it.

I’m really looking forward to taking part and hopefully many interesting story will come out of it.

In fact, I’ve all ready started writing!

All the best, Hayley.

I’ve Been Published In An Anthology!

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share this with you all!

Last year, I took part in a short story writing collaboration on one of the writing Facebook groups I’m a member of. They’ve released their first book and it contains the story I helped write. I got named too!

It would be awesome if you could support them and me by buying this book. It’s available in all formats and world wide.

Here’s the link;

 

There’s me! Hayley Hardman.

Totally exciting to see your name in print.

Thanks for reading this and all your support. Every like, share and follower helps me to feel more inspired to carry on writing stories.

Two Announcements

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you know about two things, so I’m breaking my run of stories again to bring you this news.

Yesterday, I reached 600 posts on this blog! This feels like a huge personal achievement for me because it means that I’ve been able to publish a written piece for 600 days without breaking the line. Of course, some days I’ve not actual written due to taking a break or being away, but I’ve done the story on other day or else picked one from the stockpile I have. Also, people have contributed their stories which has been so nice of them!  (If you’re interested in doing that please take a look at the submission guidelines; https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines).

Originally, I set up this blog to help get me out of depression and back into writing. I had no idea it was going to continue for this long or that I’d find so much joy in it. Out of it has now come so much; I’ve got around 400 stand alone short and flash fiction stories, three different novellas and I’ve gained a loyal readership/followers from it. And I know I say it often, but a big thanks to everyone who readers my work because its’ due to you and your likes and comments that inspire me to carry on. Here’s to another 600 posts!

Secondly, I’ve decided to take part in the A-Z challenge this month. The idea behind this is that for everyday in April, excluding Sundays, you pick a word starting with each letter of the alphabet and do a post around it.

I’ve been thinking about different ways I could do this over the last week and finally, I’ve gone with having the picked word as the title and using it as a prompt to write a story with and I must include the word at least once in the story. On Sundays, which are not counted, I’ll do either a continuation of the day before’s story or else use the same letter but a different word to create a new story. I know this’ll upset the flow of the alphabet, but I’m not missing a day out!

I know the idea is about blogging more and making connections as well as having fun, but I like the idea of doing some new on my blog. Even though I post everyday, I think mixing it up and being able to write some different stories will be a good thing for both me as a writer and you the reader.

If you fancy joining in and/or want to check out the other blogs taken part, here’s the link; http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/a-z-challenge-sign-up-list-2016.html

Lastly, I know I also keep saying this, but I will get around to putting a collection of short stories from this blog into an e-book and publish it on Amazon Kindle. I just need more time and motivation to do that.

Once again thanks for the support and I’d really appreciate it if you could help spread the word about my blog and encourage more people to read my stories.

 

Hayley

Ps. Today’s story will be up soon, so please come back for that later.

Nominated For The Liebster Award

Hi everyone,

This is my first none story post and also my second post of the day. Breaking my run here! But as you can see from the title The Story Files has been given the Liebster award! And I had to announce it and commit to the rules.

Let me just say firstly a big thank you to all my readers and followers. This is now the third year of me writing a story a day, which means that there’s now 557 short stories (including flash fiction, parts of my two novellas – Trust and Church and longer short stories) on this blog. I have always written for myself, but the fact that so many people seem to be enjoying my writing is inspiring me to continue, even when I don’t feel like carrying on. Every time you like, comment, share and follow gives me the motivation to carry on. So thanks and please keep it up.

Before, I fully get into writing this, I’d also like to point out that I’m planning to put together three short story collections made up from all the most liked and best stories on here and available to buy via Amazon kindle publishing. I’ve just been super busy at the moment, but it’s still a dream of mine. I plan in the coming weeks to post up a voting or something post and ask people which stories they liked the most which should be included. There’s a lot of stories on here now and I could do with a hand picking.

So, anyway, I got nominated by Edward Drake. He’s over at http://drakesdrafts.com if you want to check it out. Secondly, here are 11 interesting facts about myself;

1. I’m a nerd, but also into gothic stuff.
2. I love bats.
3. I almost moved to New Zealand when I was 12.
4. I like baking, but I’m rubbish at cooking.
5. I’m an ‘arm chair’ urban explorer.
6. I’ve a BA hons degree and a Masters degree in creative writing.
7. I’m dyslexic and also have dyscalculia and a short term memory problem.
8. I play dungeons and dragons
9. My lucky number!
10. My favourite music is heavy metal and rock. It makes me write faster and inspires me.
11. Wolves are my favourite animal.

Here are the questions he give me some answer.

What is your favourite book any why?

Interview With The Vampire. It always inspires me and I get so involved in the characters.

 Why did you start blogging?

One of my uni tutors suggest it 7 years ago and I thought I’d give it shot. I started a diary like blog, which I still have today and write book reviews and life moments on. The Story Files came about because I was suffering from depression and not writing much. I wanted to give myself something to do everyday which would help and also get me back into doing the thing I love the most.

What is your favorite blog post you’ve published? Why?

It has to be this short story called The Solder’s Piano. I don’t know why but this story, even after a year has just stuck with me. I just like the image prompt. https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/the-soldiers-piano/

 If you could time travel to any time period what would it be? Why?

I’d like to go back to the Victorian times because everything would be a lot simpler. Even though I know there’d be no steampunk, there’s just something about all those awesome clothes that grabs me.

 If you could live in any fictional world, what would it be (think: Hogwarts, Middle Earth, etc…)?

Middle Earth would be an interesting place to live. I guess I’ll stick with that.

 Where is your happy place?

I have this safe forest in my head which I go to when I’m feeling low. In the real world, my local woods has always been my happy place though.

 What is your favourite quote AND/OR word?

I’ve lots of favourites, but this one always makes me laugh: ‘Don’t run after a bus or a man. In either case there’ll be another one coming along in about 15 minutes.’

 Describe your blog in 3 words.

Story a day

 What is your guiltiest of pleasures?

Watching the Secret Garden film.

 What did you phonetically call the family of bears that were a series of children’s books? Started with a B? No idea what I’m talking about? Click here. If you still don’t know what I’m talking about… Do you believe in anything considered supernatural?

 I know these bears, but I’ve no idea what I called them. I mix a lot of words and letters up as it is still.

 

The blogs I’m nominating are:

http://www.misshani.com/

A photo, traveling, post every day blog.

http://life-honestly.com/

A blog about real life and coping with lot of problems, useful if you’re having issues.

https://beyondthebluecoat.wordpress.com/

The life of a student vet.

http://ridefireflyfarm.com/

A blog about horses. Really well written with some thoughtful posts.

https://samanthafidlernewby.wordpress.com/

A short story blog like mine!

https://lovewordie.wordpress.com/

A relationship blog with some interesting points to reflect upon for everyone.

https://geekthecat.wordpress.com/

Check out some of the stories on this blog. The Drunken cat ones make me giggle.

http://www.heartfulwhispers.blogspot.co.uk/

A blog full of poems.

http://liannewilliams.com/sketchblog

I’m not much of a draw myself, but I’m big into art colouring. Like the advice given on this arty blog though.

https://thegaslightavenger.wordpress.com/

A newly started comic book drawings blog, but already showing promise and inspiration. Very artistic too.

 

Here are my questions to them:

Do you have any pets and their names?

Have you ever written a novel or want to?

Do you believe in unicorns?

What’s your favorite character from childhood?

What’s your favorite quote from a novel?

What’s your favorite place in the world?

Do you keep a diary/journal/ log book?

How many books about how to write stories, blogs or getting published ect, do you own?

What’s your biggest achievement to date?

What’s your favorite band/music to listen to whilst you are writing?

 

Done and dusted! Lastly though, here are some links to where you can also follow me;

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestoryfiles

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ironmaidenfan9

Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/user?u=327832

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=208056472&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/hails9/

Blogger: http://hailscrazyblog.blogspot.co.uk/

WordPress: https://thestoryfiles.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7400715-hayley-hardman

Google + : https://plus.google.com/u/0/+HayleyHardman

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/thestoryfilesblog

 

Thanks again and happy reading!