Joe Young

Joined June 2022

117 stories

Bio

Blogger and freelance writer from the north-east coast of England

Achievements (1)

Honorable Mention in Absurdist Awakening Challenge

Stories (117)

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Show, Don't Tell
I remember once watching an impressionist on television, who apparently had so little confidence in his ability to project an accurate representation of his subjects, he felt obliged to tell his audience whom he was 'doing'. It went a bit like this:
By Joe Young3 years ago in Education
The Quick and the Dead
John Braine (1922–1986), was the author of Room at the Top, and many other works, and he was one of the so-called angry young men of the post-war era of English literature. He also wrote a book called Writing a Novel, a copy of which I picked up for 25 pence in a book sale at my local library many years ago. While I never went on to accomplish what is alluded to in the title of that book, I did pick up some valuable advice within its pages.
By Joe Young3 years ago in Education
How to Blow a Quarter Million
The front door opened, and thirty-one-year-old Brenda emerged in a state of some alarm. She hurriedly unlocked the door to her Ford Escort, which stood on the drive, and climbed inside.
By Joe Young3 years ago in Fiction
When a Product's Radioactivity was a Selling Point
Marie Curie (1867 - 1934) discovered radium in 1898. It is a chemical element with the symbol Ra and the atomic number 88. Marie, and her husband Pierre, won half of the Nobel prize for physics in 1903 (she would win a second prize for chemistry in 1911). To complete this little trivia section, Marie Curie was born in Poland.
By Joe Young3 years ago in Education
O, Sweet Solitude
What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be. (Ellen Burstyn) In his book Borstal Boy, Brendan Behan gives a stark indication of how unpleasant enforced solitude can be for some. Alone in his cell inside Liverpool’s Walton Jail, Behan hears activity outside; keys jangling and doors being banged shut. He hopes someone will come into his own cell, stating;
By Joe Young3 years ago in Psyche
How to Speak Like a Geordie (Part 2)
Further to my recent post about the Geordie dialect, here is another crop of north-eastern nuggets that will soon have you ordering a beer like Oz from Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.
By Joe Young3 years ago in Education
A Public Inconvenience
The silver Astra turned into the car park at the motorway services. Its sole occupant, thirty-seven-year-old Conrad, parked as far away from the building as was possible. He had been driving for two hours, and he needed to stretch his legs. The reason for his drive had been a trip to London to celebrate his sister’s fortieth birthday party.
By Joe Young3 years ago in Fiction
Learning to Ride a Bike: From Grazes to Glee
Like many of you, no doubt, my inauguration into the world of cycling as a child was a painful one. My friend David was a year younger than me, but already he was tearing around the streets on a small bike with chunky pneumatic tyres. I’d had several attempts at riding on two wheels, but I just didn’t get it.
By Joe Young3 years ago in Confessions
Memories of Guy Fawkes' Night
As a young boy, many of my peers and I were of the opinion that the loudest fireworks were the best. Explosions trumped any fancy shower of sparks, and the more ear-splitting the better.
By Joe Young3 years ago in Confessions
A Most Amusing Grandfather. Top Story - October 2022.
The front wheels of the car hung precariously over the precipice. A fall of rock below caused the vehicle to slide even further over the edge. As the situation looked increasingly hopeless, Peg Man soared towards the danger at the speed of a bullet, his white cape flapping wildly. As the superhero placed his head under the front of the car in order to push it back to safety, there came a distant call.
By Joe Young3 years ago in Fiction
Bonfire Night Turf Wars
Remember, remember! The fifth of November, The Gunpowder treason and plot; I know of no reason Why the Gunpowder treason
By Joe Young3 years ago in Confessions
Why I Changed My Name
The image above is part of my birth certificate. I have virtually the same name as my father, but there is a discrepancy. He is (was) Alan, while I am Alyn.
By Joe Young3 years ago in Confessions