Thoughts, stories and musings by David Olsen
This short story is about desperation and the actions that people may take in order to regain control. CONTENT WARNING: Domestic Violence Carly stood frozen in the centre of the kitchen, phone in one hand and knife in the bloodied other. The heap on the floor cooled slowly, in a pool of its own creation. … Continue reading What Is Owed – Short Story
I’m doing it. I told myself I wouldn’t, but I’m doing it. I’m going to write about joining Mastodon and why you should ditch Twitter (if you haven’t already abandoned that dumpster fire) and join me on it. I could go into the full rundown of what the Fediverse is, what it can do and … Continue reading The Mastodon in the Room
Over the years I’ve been known to set a deadline or two. I’ve also been known to ignore those deadlines and procrastinate even harder, but that’s not the point I’m trying to make. Ultimately I rarely use them as a tool when I write because of a very simple reason; missing one feels like failing. … Continue reading Deadlines (the horror!)
Why aren’t you writing? I’d asked myself this question many, many times. I used to write short stories and I’ve started two novels (note the use of the word started and not completed). I even used to be a part of a writing group that was extraordinarily motivational but we drifted apart over time. More … Continue reading Like so many things, it began with a question…
Panes of the Soul is a story that I wrote after discovering John Koenig's Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows; a collection of words created specifically to describe feelings that had no words of their own. This story is based on the word 'opia'. I hope you enjoy it and I welcome any feedback on it. The … Continue reading Panes of the Soul – Short Story
Static is a short story about loss and loneliness at the end of the world. It is one of my favourites and I hope you enjoy it too. I'd appreciate any feedback and comments on it. He wondered whether anyone remembered that he was up here. He wondered whether anyone was left who would care. … Continue reading Static – Short Story
My friend and fellow ZiferWritersMCR member Katie wrote this story and shared it with us on Monday. I’ve never before heard a better interpretation of the terrible feeling of an anxiety attack. Beautifully written and incredibly insightful, I recommend to everyone that they should read this story and see what else they can gain from it. If you’ve ever suffered from anxiety, or if you know someone who has, I believe this story can help in at least some small way.
There is a lump in my stomach.
An awful sharp ominous lump that always seems to be buzzing, rolling around in my gut. Like a bruised apple trapped in a faucet and the more I think about it the more the liquids in my stomach seem to feed and nourish it; helping it grow, but the water keeps on running and the line keeps on climbing until it pushes it up through my body. I can feel it, uncomfortable in my chest, causing each breath to be too heavy for me to muster oxygen through it.I am glad though that this lumpy bruised apple hasn’t quite made its way to the back of my throat. It hardly ever does that. It just lingers, dense on my lungs as if with each intake of air my insides crush it into a chunky paste. Thick and viscous. Unforgiving, like acid it burns…
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So my dad used to own a pen. I know, I know. A lot of dads have owned a lot of pens, so you want to know why this one is worth writing about. That's fair. It probably isn't the most alluring intro to a blog I've ever posted, but what is important is that … Continue reading Writing in the Stars
About eight months ago, I joined a creative writing group in Manchester. It was a modest group of a few like-minded people who wanted a reason to write... something. Anything. The people in the room just wanted to write stuff and get feedback and do it in a place that felt comfortable and safe to … Continue reading The Rise of ZiferWritersMCR
So I have done the unthinkable. I have added another two projects on to my pile of already unfinished ideas and concepts. The good news is that one of them is a collaboration with a friend (so I can share the balance of procrastination with another). The bad news is that (along with being yet more work to eventually complete) my newest project is a reimagining of a much-loved property, so it may never see the light of day for that reason alone (as well as the fact that it might be terrible, but you know, positivity and that).
The Unbalanced Power of Words 