Moving on from my last post which was slightly cynical for the festive season, but I do like to write something ‘different’ whenever I can. The Christmas double issue of People’s Friend is fabulous. It’s got a recipe in there for millionaire shortbread which I am going to attempt in a minute. There’s plenty of nature and photographic articles showing snow-covered branches and scenes which are lovely. There’s an article which corresponds with a blog post here. About the crisis charity that helps people around Christmas time and it’s all about the volunteers. Aren’t they good people? I’ve noticed the stories are really quite modern as well, even though they have a reputation for ‘nice’ stories, there’s one where a lady is expecting all the family to dinner. She’s de-cluttering, throwing stuff out. As the story goes on, it turns out she’s taking the family out to a hotel for dinner, rather than do the whole around the table traditional meal.
Another story in the week before’s magazine was showing a teenager who said ‘I heart this house’ which is modern for P.F. I think. Also the same teenager talked about her bezzie mates. Now I know this is modern speak, and to see it in People’s Friend stories is wonderful. Six months ago I felt slightly worried about People’s Friend as they have been so traditional for so long and it’s SO HARD to get a story accepted with them, so well done to anyone who writes for them, and to say they have had quite a re-vamp and are still in my opinion the best short story magazine on the market. If you haven’t already got one, I’d recommend it. Now I’m off to have a read of mine, and make that shortbread as well. Will hopefully post a picture when it’s done.
Susan Jones - Writer 
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