Ompwriter Stories

Meet the writers of OMP and see what they're working on.

There have been countless heroes in wars throughout history. These are the stories of some ordinary Europeans who found extraordinary courage to survive WWII.

The Weekend Write-In just keeps going ... .

Written for the WriteOnWriters Weekend Write-In Challenge for 1 Feb 2019. 500 words, one weekend, and a story prompt -- this week's prompt was "arrive", tell what happens when it arrives. Chloe felt something was missing from her life, so she ordered it online.

A collection of short stories, each one written in November 2016. The stories cover all genres and many worlds of the imagination.

Melbourne, it's Australia's second largest capital city? Where do I begin to tell you all the things I love about Melbourne? It's cosmopolitan, vibrant, elegant, sometimes quirky and artsy. That and so much more too. Over the years, it's set the scene for many an enjoyable holiday or short break. Melbourne is only an hour's flight away from me in Adelaide, or a day or two's travelling for those who want to take it more slowly, with wonderful scenery en-route. Melbourne is now home to my daughter and her partner and I've had the chance to come to know it even better. In these pages I'll aim to show you that there's something very special indeed about Melbourne.

"You two become farmers? You must be kidding!" How little our friends really knew us. Sure, that's how life had been for the Secretary and the Building Supervisor... but those were the keywords - "had been". An opportunity had arisen to learn farming, working for a friend for 18 months on a 6,000 acre cropping and sheep farm he'd inherited... our 'apprenticeship'. Once our rural sojourn began, it continued until today on our small retirement farm. Here are the tales of our journey, filled with humour and pathos; joy and a few sorrows, too; and woven throughout, our absolute love for the land and the animals we have shared our lives with. Each chapter is a 'stand alone' providing a choice for a quick read 'on the move' - or a more leisurely and relaxed involvement with my words. Enjoyed this first book in my 'Old McLarsen had some Farms' series? Now there's 'everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask' about a decade of dairy-farming in South Australia in my second book - 'The Milky Way'. This first book is available in ebook format at Amazon, and through Smashwords and their outlets, and I have been pre-recording excerpts for local radio. These are to be broadcast soon and I will be able to share them on Soundcloud in far superior quality than my amateurish sampling there just now. I have also begun a couple of different kinds of memoirs - 'Just Moodling About... My Favourite Things', and another - 'Growing up in the Fifties' And - 'Wishful Thinker' - my first collection of short/short stories and anecdotes . My writing skills don't extend to the creation of deeply hidden allegories or metaphors. I like it this way and hope you understand my simplicity of choice. I welcome your thoughts on my stories. This way I can learn and write in the future, so please don't be afraid to express 'the good and the bad' (maybe not any 'ugly'). And please don't hesitate to share and/or vote to show your enjoyment.

There are those who tell stories, and those who are talebearers. There are those who are scribes, and write down the tales. When talents like these are combined, it's inspirational... or so these two would have you believe.

More of the Weekend Write-In.

Short tales of the paranormal.

Last decade, before we moved back to our present farm in the country we love so dearly, I was a careworker for a few years. This story is about one of my most frustrating but loveable clients who showed me once again how the greatest courage demanded is often in facing each hour of every new day - and getting through it. I think you'll find yourself, like me, getting teary from laughter as much (if not more) than from empathy with this tough little battler and her lifetime of hurdles.

Whitney Wells is getting married to Ron Pond, a bloke she met on a Pacific Cruise just a few months ago. Whitney, called Whit by her friends and family, is agog with teenage excitement. She's barely nineteen and her beach wedding has been all she can talk about Her two BFF's, Lacey and Stacey can't stand Ron. They call him 'Pond Slime' behind Whit's back. They reckon he's sleazy, daggy, and at thirty one, too old for their friend. Her other girlfriend, maid-of -honour Britney, is no help. She only wants to giggle and flirt. Ron has a mother who's just come out of jail and she's shaping up to being the Mother-in-law from hell.' Many a time she's had Whit and her Mum Wendy in tears. What happens on the big day? Will people be able to control their tempers? Will the bridal party come to blows? Will the ice-cream wedding cake survive the stinking hot Aussie February heat?. Will the day disintegrate into chaos, and what shocking secret will have all the guests gob-smacked and gossiping at the end? All these questions answered and more, so get your best beach wear on and designer 'sunnies'and be ready for a wedding like no other.

A collection of short stories - fleeting moments of gratification in floating worlds.

'Moodling' - it's all about mental doodling. This time it's looking at and loving many so-called 'material' things in my life. Read about my much beloved possessions, and try to decide what you would choose to take with you if disaster threatened. I think I would run around like a chicken with its head chopped off, trying to decide - and finally take nothing (or something perfectly ridiculous).

A collection of short pieces inspired by the work of Hokusai.

More short stories and flash fiction, exploring random themes and random moments.

Sometimes Life starts handing us choices we are none too ready to make... and some choices should never have to be made at all. Here's a story originally written for a 500 word flash-fiction from a prompt that has taken on a life of its own, and now actually DEMANDS its own presentation in a length of its OWN choosing. Seems I have Hobson's choice in the matter! Warning: Profanity from 'Chapter Four: But Why Me?' Jake insisted his thoughts were his own... I'm just the scribe -what could I say?

Lisa was tired of waiting for their first baby to arrive. She couldn't stand any delays once the due date had passed.

Forever Torn is the true and amazing story of two brothers and three generations of one family - a family torn apart by deaths, poverty, deceit and a promise made by a small boy to his Grandfather over 80 years ago. It is the story of one man who refused to acknowledge his past and his brother who remained bound to protect the secret, despite his own pain. If you have enjoyed fictional epics such as Blood Brothers and Kane and Abel, you will love Forever Torn, which unlike the aforementioned is based on a true and tragic story.