northie

Glad you enjoyed it, Val. I can imagine me coming back to hell sometime, I'm just not sure when.

Thanks, Def. I couldn't resist the idea of FAQs for hell's website.

GA as the 'forbidden' library? You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment. I'm glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your praise.

Thanks, Tim. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. Hell's website ... that's been getting my creative juices flowing. Problem is, I've several other things on the go. So, yes probably to writing something else but I'm not saying when.

“Ahh …” The demon stretched out his cloven hooves and exhaled with pleasure. Being away on holiday – there was nothing like it. All the stresses and strains of a boring, repetitive job just melted away. The old-timers thought him workshy or lacking in team spirit by wanting to leave hell occasionally. How long had it been - couple of centuries? He was determined to enjoy himself. As far as he was concerned, the others could all move to the Other Place and freeze to death. The

Not all demons are evil, sadistic bastards. Some, like our hero, want change in hell: gardening, a professional work ethic, reading romances. Perhaps, even love.

What a wonderful take on a combination I wouldn't have wanted one little bit. I love the idea of induction videos for newbie vampires ...

Tales about were creatures are so often about the powerful, carnivorous, those at the top of the food chain. It was touching to read about a were-duck instead. Isaac's uncertainties, nervousness translate so well. The overall tone of loneliness and melancholy is beautifully dispelled at the end. You already know this, but I want more ...

My first name can have a couple of variants, my surname any number. I'm aware of this and usually take the time to spell out particularly my last name. Like you, it irritates me when other people can't be bothered to follow the guidance I give. If they can't find me, it's usually because of their error and not mine.

*Gently honing pitchfork - nothing sharp, just pokeable ... * You certainly know how to keep us hanging on by the fingertips ... Most masterfully done. What's going to be the relationship between Wally and Graham? That is if there is to be one. Graham will be presumably feeling extremely guilty for putting Wally in harm's way. Where will that lead? As I've said before, I long since given up trying to predict where this wonderful tale is going. Bravo

A short but wonderfully told story. And I am so pleased to see you writing about hope and renewal - you've been down for a bit, I've got the impression. Keep it up.

Hmm ... Him and Graham? Where's that going, I wonder? He's also not only doing work for other people but also teaching them and having discussions. The word saccherine has been used - I wouldn't use that but I do find the journey to the sunlit uplands disconcerting. I can't believe that it will continue without something going wrong. Maybe, I'm being pessimistic, but Wally has far too much baggage, I think ... Good chapter.

I've been through periods at work where 'I'm fine' was the only possible response to questions. There was nothing to be gained by saying otherwise and I'm sure other people didn't want to hear anything different. They had their own problems, I had mine. 'I'm fine' was like a carapace, almost, trapping in all sorts of feelings as well as keeping out other peoples' enquiries. I feel for you.

Just re-read this as I didn't leave a comment the first time around. Loneliness, pain, sadness are the part of so many peoples' Christmas. You give this tale an extra tweak, an extra dose of pathos by the beautifully judged ending. I'm so glad I read it again.

Like the first installment, I find that I'm at least heading in the right direction. Even if there's little public evidence of it so far. My editor swiftly restrained me from starting to post one of my stories, even though I was itching to. Invaluable advice. I'm not sure I'll be able to contain myself right up to completion, but certainly, the end will have to be in sight before I risk it.

Sounds as though you're better off without him - figuratively and in real life.

tim, it's a guesstimate. Something that you, Michael and medical science could prove to be completely wrong. I hope that once you've got over the initial stomach-churning shock, you will regain your typical determination to live your life. I regard your attitude as something I'd do well to emulate. My best wishes, as ever ...

Unfinished business of all sorts left on land - good, bad, potentailly lethal ... but our hero has moved forward so much. That postcard? I wonder what the recipients will think of it? What will happen to him on this voyage, I wonder? Him being an instigator in using his skills to help others, is another symptom of the changes going on inside him. His self-analysis, regrets and fears seem so real, and of course, it's your great writing that makes them so.

What a miniature gem. Wonderful, evocative word pictures drawn with such care and economy. Thank you for choosing this - I wouldn't have found it otherwise.

And beta-readers, for that matter. My editor and I had a slight blip a couple of months ago. I was about to publish my second prompt response when I realised that my main character changed his name halfway through. Neither of us had noticed. In the same prompt, I committed a style faux-pas which had also passed my editor by. He wasn’t impressed with himself and suggested that the next blog post I wrote, should be used to comment on his editorial abilities. So, I’m doing so, just not quite in the way he intended. What I’m going to say will inevitably be focussed on him because I’m a newcomer to writing and he’s the only editor I’ve had. But they’re also meant as a general note of thanks and praise to those who edit here on GA. I’ve only been writing stories for a few months but I do have a good knowledge of English and reasonable grasp of grammar. So, in theory at least, my editor’s life could be a lot worse. I’m lucky to be writing in English as my first language, something I share with my editor, sort of … He is the person who started me writing and he has been unfailingly supportive, encouraging words at hand whenever I feel down or unsure about my writing. He has a full-time, mentally and physically tiring job, yet he always makes time to read and comment on anything I send him. And there’s the little matter of his own writing, as well. I suspect that I’m lucky to have someone who, although not English, understands my quirky Englishness. His comments are often funny, always illuminating and they’re always couched as suggestions. Whenever I have a sentence or paragraph which doesn’t quite work, he always notices it and comes up with a reason why and a solution. I may not go with his solution, but his reasoning, I always follow and so, find my own solution. When I do make a recurring grammatical or stylistic error, it is corrected with an explanation of why, so I can learn. These comments and notes are short, but they’ve all taken time to write and he’s had to think about the story in some detail. And just in case you’re thinking that three prompt responses are the sum of what he’s had to wade through, there are some 26,000 words of two ongoing stories as well. He also acts as my beta-reader and his reader responses are fascinating. One chapter I wrote which I thought was nothing out of the ordinary, he raved about. Another, which I trailed because I was so convinced he’d love it, got a warm but unexceptional response. It’s an excellent reminder that I’m not my best judge when it comes to second-guessing reader responses. Why does he do this? For the love of it and so he can help other writers express themselves to the best of their abilities. Certainly not for any payment. I thank him with all my heart - my writing improves all the time because of him. I also thank all the other editors and beta-readers on GA who give of their time and expertise so freely.

well, I can tell you that my scratch work would be blank apart from the sort of doodles that come from being bored out of my skull and/or completely clueless. Somehow, I don't think this will be news to you... However, I loved the wordplay and sounds produced. The last line of Pascal's triangle went past at a lightning speed. The next time you go to a maths conference, you'll have to do a presentation on the poetry in mathematical problems or some such.

I was perfectly prepared for some sort of disaster. But no, you confound my expectations with your usual skill - by showing us something so sunlit and normal. Like Wally, I was taken by surprise. So, where now? I still can't help feeling this is the calm before some sort of storm.

Thanks for a fascinating episode, Dark.

Salmagundi - a word I've never come across. WiIl I remember it? Possibly not, but I'm much more likely to remember these poems. Each day has its own flavour, a snapshot of something that marked it out. Well chosen, relateable things but also unique to you.

Thanks for the feature, Renée. It was a wonderful first line ...