This morning, I've had the enormously pleasurable job of offering free spots on my upcoming courses & workshops to low-income writers. This is only possible because of you.
The amount raised by #MattsStairClimbChallenge has funded 20x course places & 30x workshop places.
Thank you 🙏
If you missed Matt's incredible #MattsStairClimbChallenge, there's still a chance to support low-income writers for a funded place on his courses (he has a backlist of 50 writers interested!) and his charity - Anno's Africa. #WritingCommunity
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...
I am now going to collapse in a puddle and will (mostly) stop going on about climbing stairs…
❤️❤️❤️
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Final update…
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
After my earlier (big) wobble, I had a conversation with myself, and decided that I really, really, really did want to reach the top of Ben Nevis and that tomorrow’s problems are tomorrow’s problems but you only get one today…
The penultimate festival session was a mini workshop on anchoring. Hope it was useful / enjoyable for those who came along. We looked at stories by @emilyrinkema.bsky.social @kathyfish.bsky.social @dawnsteffler.bsky.social and thought about where, when, who and what.
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Brilliant readings to start my day from @pleomorphic2.bsky.social Lindy Newns @bronwengriffiths.bsky.social Bee Knightly @cake-girl.bsky.social Zannie Rose & @iridescentwords.bsky.social
Total now 380. Can almost see the top of Carrauntoohil!
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Stair climb day 2. Apologies to anyone who's thoroughly bored of this by now. Please rest assured, I will soon be back to my normal waffle about writing craft, sharing wonderful flash fiction and moaning about my health...
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Mont Sokbaro
Final update of the day. I made it to the end of the day! I'm still mostly in one piece. And I've now (somehow) done 260 stair climbs. Or the height of Mont Sokbaro in Benin.
Thanks to everyone who's supported me today. Can't believe I'm doing it again tomorrow 🤪
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Late afternoon update. Legs feel like jelly. Head feels like mush. There may have been a minor fainting incident (no one panic - I'm fine!) Not sure I'm going to manage many more today, but I've reach 230, and very happy with that!!!
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Joined #MattsStairClimbChallenge today and it was great to chat with other writers and hear #flashfiction from Cole Beuchamp @nomad-sw18.bsky.social, Nora Nadjarian @noranadj.bsky.social, #DavidLewis, #JupiterJones and more 😄 The festivities continue tomorrow and all are welcome!
The Petronas Towers
A brilliant set of readings just now from @nomad-sw18.bsky.social @bonniemeekums.bsky.social David Lewis @noranadj.bsky.social @fionamckay.bsky.social @jupiterjonz.bsky.social Stuart Phillips & @katiehwrites.bsky.social
Now at 190 stair climbs - the Petronas Towers!!
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
3 cheers for the incredible @mattkendrick.bsky.social - who is defying a chronic health condition and taking on #MattsStairClimbChallenge!
I read my story "Class, meet Greenland" and heard Bonnie Meekums' fab story about scientists & spinach!
flashboulevard.wordpress.com/2025/04/19/c...
Health update. Very nauseous-painy on waking up, but after that have been coping ok. Body doesn't quite know what it's doing temperature-wise & fatigue kicking in big time. After lunch is always difficult. Hopefully some readings in a moment will spur me back into action!
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Canary Wharf
So much fun to teach a mini workshop on character motivation just now, thinking about identity, goals & barriers. What a great group of writers - want to see these characters / stories out in the world!!
They inspired me to 125 stair climbs. Up past Canary Wharf now 🥳
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Blackpool Tower
Wonderful first session of my mini festival, chatting with writing friends from around the world. Thank you to everyone who turned up and motivated me to 80 stair climbs. That's higher than Blackpool Tower. Next stop - Canary Wharf - 107 stair climbs...
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Update 2. Breakfast (a bowl of plain rice) done. About to go into the 1st festival session - a chance to chatter and natter with writing friends. If you want to come to any of the festival sessions, you're welcome to do so. Just let me know and I'll send you the link.
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Big Ben clock tower
First 42 stair climbs done, which takes me to my 1st target - Big Ben. If you peer very closely at the picture, you can just see my exhausted body on the top floor 🤪
Next target - Blackpool Tower, which is 69 stair climbs. Hopefully get there shortly after breakfast...
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
Right... ok... today's the first day of my stair climb challenge 😬 Going to be posting updates throughout the day. You may want to mute me 😂
#MattsStairClimbChallenge
About to attempt my first few climbs.
A reminder of what I'm attempting and why:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
