Articles written by Mark Spriggs

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Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Why I love the Harry Potter books: 1 of 14
Some books inspire, some books attract us with character, plot, drama or comedy, but there are rare ones that do all this and then grab you by the heart strings and make you care about the world you are dragged into, the people so convincingly written about on the page and the situations they find themselves. This is the impa... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Dark fantasy: 3 of 29
The mewling above her head seemed both close and very distant there seemed no logic to what her senses were telling her. The distance she had to travel to traverse the rocky outcrop on which the unusual sound seemed to be originating seemed massive yet around she came, her son, Tristram, hot on her heels with all the child... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Engagements & Proposals Should you give an answer to a marriage proposal immediately?: 1 of 8
Such a question always deserves an immediate and unreserved answer; it does not have to be the one that is necessarily wanted. It could be I don't know. But it must be an answer there and then, it tells the other more about where you are at than just a yes or no. I proposed to my now wife twice, the first time we were not... More..
Entertainment > TV Genres & Trends Best television shows ever made: 4 of 24
I like TV drama, I like Sci-fi, I like crime and police procedurals, but I do have fairly high standards about where I'll spend my valuable time. From 1999 through to 2006 my time was very firmly spent watching the superb West Wing. Fast paced, well acted, tight dialogue and a fantastic ensemble cast, coupled with real world... More..
Sports & Recreation > Soccer (Other) Is it right for Real Madrid to spend 80 million on one player?: 1 of 5
I look at this question and have a very big problem, I am a football fan and I am a realist, not always mutually exclusive. Football is a sport, a strange combination of physical and artistic beauty, intelligence and instinct, and the rarefied heights of competition, the civilised combat. Unfortunately, some might say, it is ... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Sports: 4 of 16
Tom's legs would not keep still; the twitching of his thighs was distracting and only seems to stop for a second if he jumped two footed on the spot Calm down son, it's only the first of many times you'll do this and when you touch the grass it'll steady you The calm authority of the deep, northern voice brought an instant r... More..
Sports & Recreation > Sports & Recreation (Other) Test cricket: How to keep it relevant: 1 of 4
Test cricket is relevant, to consider otherwise is to diminish cricket as a whole. 20twenty cricket is fun, exciting and dramatic and give opportunity for surprise, new tactics, risks and shock results but comparing the two forms of this great game is the equivalent of discussing the relative merits of Rugby Union and Rugby L... More..
Arts & Humanities > Fantasy & Science Fiction Book reviews: Isle Witch, by Terry Brooks: 1 of 2
This is a good book. There, I've said it. It's good, but its not mind-numbingly, toe-curlingly brilliant. Why, you ask, has a reviewer and - I must confess here - fan, stated that the book is good but not great at this juncture of a review? This is a book at the beginning of not only a trilogy, but the beginning of a new era ... More..
Food & Drink > Fast Food Three fast, healthy dinners: 31 of 55
So, you've had your long day, the kids are fractious and irritable with hunger but you don't want to throw rubbish down their throats. Welcome to the parenting dilema, or to the dilema now facing so many people including young, singles who don't want to join so many of the population into obesity and all the other health pro... More..
Entertainment > Movie Remakes & Adaptations Movie remakes: Comparing the original The Italian Job with the 2003 remake: 3 of 3
It is undeniable that the 1969 original of the Italian Job is as classic and as iconic as the minis that nipped and zoomed in all their glory through the streets and avenues of Turin. The 'remake' is a different beast which seeks to emulate, update and expand on the original while being its own creature. I would have to say t... More..