Author: Sam H Arnold

Freelance writer of both fact & fiction. Bookworm, film fan and teacher. Write about writing, books, life, politics & parenthood. Please contact me for book reviews and freelance work. www.samharnold.com

Four Sheets & A Blanket – Short Story

~ Sam H Arnold ~ 2 Comments

Meg came to, in the pitch black. She couldn’t remember where she was. Feeling around she felt the cold, damp concrete floor under her fingers. That was when she first realised that she was naked. She shivered as the cold and damp from the floor seeped into her bones. She started to shake, a mixture of cold and fear put her body into spasm. She sat up, the pain in her back was unbearable as the feeling started to return. Hugging herself she tried to calm her breathing, to stop this uncontrollable shaking. She ran her fingers through her hair. Her fingers caught in the sticky mess at the base of her skull. As her fingers touched her head, a shock of electricity went through her brain, almost making her pass out. The pain eased as she massaged her eyes and took a deep breath. Again she tried to feel her head, feeling the wound that was open and seeping.

How to Reduce Stress on Your Writing Schedule 

~ Sam H Arnold ~ 11 Comments

Sometimes less is more. Over the months I have spent time publishing to both Medium and my website, growing a good following. Although I am pleased with this progress, I have been completely ignoring my novel.   I was told off by my partner this week, who said I should be concentrating more on what I wanted to do and less on blogging. Although, none of us like being told we are wrong, she has a point.

The Betrayal – Short Story

~ Sam H Arnold ~ 4 Comments

Jean opened the door to her brand new space. She took a deep breath, the citrus smell was pleasant. This small space, was the first time for a long time, that she had an area to herself. Of course, it was tiny compared to the home she shared with Dan, but this was her space. The first thing she moved into the bedroom was her laundry basket. She stood it in the corner of the room. It used to drive Jean mad that even with a laundry basket so close Dan still never put his socks in it. Every night the same routine, come home from work, strip off his suit and socks. He would always hang his suit up, but the socks were thrown. Round the bin, near the bin, but never in the bin. Jean smiled at the memory it was funny how when all the hurt faded it was still the little things you remembered.

How to Enhance Search Engine Optimisation

~ Sam H Arnold ~ Leave a comment

Search Engine Optimisation is the steps you go to in making your site more attractive to search engines. When I started blogging it was a foreign language. Over the months I have researched ways to improve my Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). I have slowly started to advance up that ever slippery ladder. Most of the pages dedicated to improving SEO suggested you download plug-ins to your website. Easy enough except to use plug-ins you have to have a business site at £18 a month. 

The Diary of Elsie Smith – Short Story

~ Sam H Arnold ~ Leave a comment

I have never won anything. When my employer ran a raffle to give away a cruise, imagine my surprise when my raffle ticket won. That tiny piece of paper has changed my life completely. One day waiting tables, now in this beautiful room, on this amazing ship. My friends are all jealous, their employers give them nothing. Mr Bailey could have sold the ticket but, he is always trying to improve the lives of his employees. Mr Bailey and I have always got on well. He liked the fact I was a reader, the same as him. Our mutual love of Charles Dickens had seen us chatting on many occasions.