Dedicated to the older writer
Welcome to WriteTime
If you’re over 60 and you’d like to do more with your writing, this is the place for you.
As a social enterprise dedicated to the older writer, we publish new short stories from across the world and we run regular writing competitions.
Winning stories are published here on our website. For the top three stories plus Highly Commended listings AND details of our free feedback offer, see our Winners/Highly Commended pages.
The best short stories are selected for our showcase Anthology. Buy the WriteTime THREE book here.
If you’ve got some good stories to tell:
Now is the time.
Here is the place.
Get writing!
Encouraging writers over 60 to be their best
Latest Winner
Milkshake
By Deborah Shewell
He had already visited the Mermaid Cafe twice that week when he arrived on Friday just before lunchtime. Immediately he realised he had made a mistake. He had avoided Thursday as he didn’t want to come three days in a row, but today was busy. His usual corner spot under the stuffed seagull was taken and he was forced to sit marooned in the centre of the café, at a table already occupied by the annoying old woman and her dog. He had seen her feeding it from her plate earlier in the week, the dog resting its paws on her lap, spraying its doting owner with flecks of food and spittle.
READ MORE
Runners-Up
By Barry Schweiger
I don’t care. No one cares about me. I’ve hitched from California to Maine, bumming rides, stealing cars an’ leavin’ ‘em. Worked a bit waitressing, slept outside mostly. What’s left?
God that river is beautiful down there, so smooth and peaceful. It’s so dark tonight, I wonder how deep it is? I can just fly down to it, be embraced in its waters. The danger, the floating in air . . .
By Julie Evans
Charlotte walks past the fishermen, all set up with their folding chairs, pop-up tents, camping stoves. In spring they’re always there, each at his own station, a home from home beside the lake. They’re all men and this is all they seem to need – something to hunt, somewhere to rest, something to eat and drink. One of them always gives her a friendly smile as she passes, a younger man in an oilskin coat.
As a teenager, Charlotte once went fishing with a boyfriend whose Motorhead teeshirt belied his hobby. They watched the sunrise and for a while it felt romantic, despite the cold and the maggots that wriggled around in a plastic pot.
If you’re working on a new short story, or dusting off an old one, some of these pointers might help.
Get the plot right
How will it end?
Make sure your characters are authentic
You need to know them inside out, how they think and how they speak.
Every writer wants to see their work in print – and reach the widest audience. The WriteTime Anthology is a rare prize and our third collection is now available. Another stunning collection of short stories by older writers, produced to the very highest standards.
Click on the book to get there.
