Jo Gatford
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jmgatford.bsky.social
Jo Gatford
@jmgatford.bsky.social
Write-abouter | editor | scriptwriter | fiction all over the shop | Shakespeare nerd | writing thoughts & workshops @ The Joy of Fixion
https://www.jogatford.com
https://fixioning.substack.com
Flashy workshoppy shenanigans happening in October... A whole weekend of generating story ideas and exploring techniques to turn everyday observations into compelling flash. (PLUS: finally fix those old drafts that still have *something* missing...)

flashfictionmagazine.com/the-snapshot...
September 18, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Get the fuck out.
September 16, 2025 at 3:10 PM
September really said: “Summer? I hardly know her.”
September 2, 2025 at 11:59 AM
24 hours off work fun time thing #1: silent disco on a big hill with an ocean view.
August 16, 2025 at 9:59 PM
It's my job (and a privilege) to help you find the right words for your story.

Book a mentoring & feedback session here: www.jogatford.com/creative-coa...
August 16, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Got myself a weird lil’ mixed up fairy tale on the @fracturedlit.bsky.social shortlist! 🐺🌜

fracturedlit.com/fractured-li...
July 17, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The kids are alright. My son went to a boot sale and came back with this steampunk salt grinder.
July 12, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Hey.
July 6, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Anyway. I love music. I love writing. I love the way humans can't help but tell stories & make art, over and over again in different ways.

I had a lot of fun creating this weird, unprovoked dissertation. Maybe you'll enjoy it too.

Find all 4 workshops here: fixioning.substack.com/t/story-in-a...
June 30, 2025 at 10:07 AM
I made my husband a janky little crocheted cow and it made him so happy he almost cried.
June 23, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Video game logic tells me I should climb this.
June 16, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Ever listened to a song and wanted to write a whole story about the narrative — and people — inside it?

This week's Story in a Song workshop invites you to build a character inspired by a playlist full of personalities and creative songwriting techniques:

fixioning.substack.com/p/the-story-...
June 10, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Last call for my 'Write What You Know' Characterisation workshop — TOMORROW — Weds 28 May at 7.30pm BST!

Explore different ways to create characters with depth & nuance — borrowing traits and foibles from people you know and those observed in the wild...

Tickets here: www.jogatford.com/workshops
May 27, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I made a little friend.
May 20, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Another Write What You Know workshop coming up in a few weeks… And this one’s gonna be character-building!

Write What You Know: Characterisation — Weds 28 May @ 7.30pm (BST)

PAYF tickets available here: www.jogatford.com/workshops#ww...
May 16, 2025 at 12:50 PM
You can always rely on facebook marketplace for an unhinged writing prompt...
May 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Happy potato wishes you an excellent Monday.
May 12, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Some lovely words from a bunch of lovely editorial and mentoring clients I’ve worked with recently :D

I’m currently booked up for manuscript feedback at the moment, but I DO have a few spaces for one-to-one Zoom mentoring calls...

More info here: www.jogatford.com/creative-coa...
May 9, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Having WAY too much fun making playlists for my Story in a Song writing workshop in June, but would love to expand outside of my own musical taste/knowledge!

Throw me your favourite songs featuring stories, characters, places, specific times & general VIIIIIBES.

www.jogatford.com/workshops#st...
May 8, 2025 at 11:20 AM
One month later… she lives! 😭❤️🌱

(Top half rotted to death in the water but 50% survival ain’t bad for a finickety fiddle leaf fig.)
May 6, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Met The Lesser A’Tuin today, holding up a monument in Stanmer Park.

#GNU #TerryPratchett #Discworld
May 5, 2025 at 4:32 PM
How am I supposed to get anything done when this creature ambushes me with oxytocin at every turn?
May 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM
This month I’ve mostly been thinking about the length of things (*stories* — get your mind out of the gutter)…

fixioning.substack.com/p/writing-st...
April 30, 2025 at 9:01 AM
This week’s attempt at gardening away the horrors is this almost-circular (WIP) willow portal for conjuring other-worldly entities by the fire pit. Needs more girth and possibly a pentagram.
April 28, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Its only improvement would be if the horn plays the intro…
April 26, 2025 at 10:11 PM