Rachel Robbins
Bio
Writer-Performer based in the North of England. A joyous, flawed mess.
Please read my stories and enjoy. And if you can, please leave a tip. Money raised will be used towards funding a one-woman story-telling, comedy show.
Stories (170)
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Chevalière D’Eon. Runner-Up in History Would’ve Burned This Page Challenge.
History can make myths, provide heroes, take control of our collective memories. History has a powerful hold on the stories we tell. And just as importantly, the stories we don’t or can’t tell. History is a memory, a shared past, made concrete in the words of books. And books can be burned. Burning a book is an attempt to cover the footpath that got us to here. It is a way of shutting down lives that appear out of context, peculiar, not like “us”. It leaves some lives, nameless.
By Rachel Robbins9 months ago in History
Good One (2024)
Written, directed and produced by India Donaldson. Some films feel like great, sweeping epic novels. The sort of book that you would use as a doorstop. Other films can feel like that book, packaged at airports, commercial and formulaic. And then there are the films that feel like short stories, poignant moments, character studies and delicate narration.
By Rachel Robbins9 months ago in Geeks
Wes Anderson
“I aimed for whimsy, but landed on twee. It’s a fine line, people, it’s a fine line.” This is something I can picture my imaginary 1940s screenwriter persona saying. Fed-up with the intensity of films noir, set in the mean streets of dimly-lit cities, she has turned her hand to some light comedy. It doesn’t work. She knows it hasn’t worked. It’s just – well, twee. Too sweet. Lacks bite.
By Rachel Robbins9 months ago in Geeks
Sinners and the Doris Day Fan
Originality, I have been told, is mashing together two separate things or ideas to generate something new. Sometimes it really is that simple. Have you tried a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup? Two good things mashed together. Chocolate yumminess meets the salty splendour of Peanut Butter to produce something delicious.
By Rachel Robbins10 months ago in Geeks
Finding an Audience. Top Story - May 2025.
I write because I have things I want to say. I want to be read. My words might soothe. They might articulate the complex. They might provide escapism into other’s lives. They might have an emotional truth. They might make people laugh.
By Rachel Robbins10 months ago in Writers
“The Youngest Leading Lady in Movies”
If I tell you the story of Lucille Ricksen it may haunt you. In the way some histories do. Stories that tap at our brains, asking to be acknowledged. “Remember me,” they beg. But we can’t quite meet their demand because the story is too fragile, it lies in bits, a broken jigsaw.
By Rachel Robbins10 months ago in Geeks
Artificial Intelligence and Creative Writing. Top Story - April 2025.
From where I sit I can see the squirrels in the back garden, tightrope walking along the washing line to nibble at the peanuts in the ‘squirrel-proof’ bird-feeder we have placed there. They are scrappy, ingenious creatures showing adaptability, inventiveness and creativity.
By Rachel Robbins11 months ago in Writers
All Happy Families (2024)
I wasn’t going to write about my weekend viewing. My partner and I went to see All Happy Families (2024), and at the end of the film, we didn’t rave about it, but nor did we sit in the car and tear it to pieces. We were, however, both smiling. It was what the Guardian describes as ‘likeable’ – a solid three star piece of date-worthy entertainment. I didn’t think I had anything to say about it. However, at the end of the date, there was one scene we both commented on…
By Rachel Robbins12 months ago in Geeks
