Rejection and being 16

Before last summer when I went to Swanwick Writer's Summer School I used to get really upset over rejections.  Sometimes I used to hide them, be embarrassed by them and on occasions lie and say I hadn't heard yet.  But you live and learn - that what people say isn't it.  In some ways it's a bit of a relief to have the story back.  At least I know where it is and to be honest it was a long shot that it would be published.  But, on the positive side, it is now mine again and I can re-write, edit and submit elsewhere - so all is not lost.

Peter Barry have now loaded six shortlisted stories onto their blog and alas mine is no there but then there are six more to be posted so fingers still tightly crossed.

My daughter Lisa, is 16 today and for most of the day I have been wondering where the years have gone, am I really that old?  No, she is a lovely girl and I couldn't want for a better daughter, she makes me very proud.  So on with the celebrations then...

Mojo's and Muses

More good news.  This afternoon I managed to do some meaningful writing, probably the most useful this week!  I also managed to catch up some much neglected correspondence and outstanding homework from my Guru.  I am feeling so positive at the moment after a very non-productive few days.  I also have a good idea for the story I want to enter for the Mslexia Short Story Competition and plan to start putting that together on Monday.

The Peter Barry Estate Agents Short Story Competition are loading up 2 shortlisted works entered into the competition a day.  So I guess my fingers will be well and truly crossed hoping to see my own entry there.  I have read a few already and there are some great stories there..

Where have I been? I have been to London to see the Queen...

Well no actually, not the real Queen but to visit my Mum after her fall.  Excuse me for repeating myself but it transpired that due to the fall, the metal plate which was already in her wrist was now bent.  They are doing some wonderful trickery to put that right without surgery.  Her knee, which is fractured just below the joint will also, hopefully, be put right with jiggery pokery.  Due to her age they are reluctant to operate on anything unless it becomes absolutely necessary.

I spent the day with my sister (non fish sister) before we went to visit Mum in the hospital.  I was dreading it, but considering what she had endured, she looked very well.  She is desperate to come though.  She has a walking frame and she is able (kind of) to drag herself up and down the ward but it is a slow process.  We borrowed a wheelchair and took her downstairs for a nice black coffee which she had missed so much.  We had a short meeting with the Occupational Therapist about Mum's care when she comes home.  Mum was so relieved to know that she would be coming home my battered old heart went out to her.  To cut a long story short my sister will move in with Mum (fortunately half a mile up the road) during the week and I will take over at the weekends as much as I can.  This should go on for about 6 weeks.  My aunt and uncle are close by too and are eager to help out as much as they can.

We have a long way to go but on overall the future is bright.  Now all we need to do is to get my older sister to help out (also half a mile up the road but in the opposite direction) - she is very reluctant but if this is to work we must all pull together.  here's hoping.

Not a good one

I have done absolutely nothing useful on the writing front today.  I tried but just couldn't concentrate.  Maybe I've lost my mojo.  My two 300 flash fiction pieces for Watford Writers were not placed.  They were not the pieces there but they neither were they the worst so I was a bit miffed to discover that somebody had awarded me just 2 marks (all work is marked out of 10).  A bit mean if you ask me.

An update on my Mum, she has fractured her knee as well as dislocating her wrist and has been admitted to hospital.  They consultant is not yet sure whether they will operate or not.  I will try to get down to see her as soon as I can.

I hope to have a more positive day tomorrow and maybe even regain my mojo.

Monday - I've had better days...

The day started off ok, alright I was knee deep in housework and hiding things in the loft but that I could handle.  My sister phoned me late afternoon to let me know that our Mum was in hospital.  She'd had a fall and dislocated her wrist.  Also there was a problem with her knee but due to the swelling they were unable to ascertain exactly what was wrong.  Que me ringing our older sister to let her know.  Said older sister was a bit miffed that Mum had promised to feed her fish while she was on holiday now what would she do as that was a bit of an issue.  Now let's talk geography, Older sister (with the fish) lives 2 miles from our Mum.  When I mentioned that could she help my other sister with Mum's care her answer was that we should contact social services.  How nice !!  Now  sister that is caring for our Mum at the moment has her own health issues as well as suffering with fractured ribs after a car accident last week.  I live roughly 40 miles from my family and I'm happy to help out as much as I possibly can but due to still having a primary school child (and only sometimes having access to the car) the time I can give is sadly limited.  When did people become so selfish?  What makes it worse is that my oldest sister (with the fish) was 'The Golden One' for many years leaving my other sister who has always, (even as a child) has a heart of gold out in the cold, so to speak.  I think I should add here that my Mum is in her late 70s and widowed.  I cannot believe that she is being so incredibly selfish.  Or am I being unfair?

Fab Friday

What a great day I have had.  I finished my 300 word flash fiction for Watford Writers (theme is 'Games') on Monday and think it's quite good, even if I do say so myself.  I felt so good having completed it I did another one.  I thought I would try my hand at comedy which is something I have not done before.  I enjoyed it and even read it back to myself, something I often neglect to do (don't let on to my Guru).


After a quick coffee I was rearing to go again.  Obviously I had one too many Weetabix this morning !  Anyway, I trawled through the net looking for a fiction competition to enter.  I found quite an interesting one involving writing a 2,500 words story around a choice of photographs.  So, I thought I might try my hand at something different once again.

I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend and spending time with the family.

Thursday Already

In the shop today.  One of out ladies is on holiday in America for 3 months so we are a body down on a Thursday morning.  We are able to keep up, but only just.  I will be pleased when she is back, she makes a good cup of tea !

My daughter Cerys, passed an audition at school to be able to sing in The Royal Albert Hall in May.  Last night she was bouncing off the walls with excitement and of course I am a very, very proud Mum.  Lisa has also passed another exam which makes me a very, very, very proud Mum indeed.

The writing has been going well and I am pleased with the results so far.  Practise makes perfect so they say.  All being well I should have the whole day tomorrow as I have now caught up with my housework.  I am going to start work on a story I have an outline for ready for the Mslexia Short Story Competition.

Energetic. Let's hope it lasts

I couldn't update this blog last night because there was a problem with the local Virgin Media.  Thankfully this morning it seems to have resolved itself.

Feeling really positive today and I have really enjoyed my writing.  The story I sent to my Guru I have put to one side until I receive feedback.  I am interested to know how she thinks I have improved it, or not but hopefully that won't be the case.  I didn't make it to Watford Writers after all on Monday evening due to unforeseen upset children.  Although all is resolved now.  I did receive an update email from WW outlining the programme for the next four weeks.  A 300 word flash fiction competition on the theme ''Games'' has been set and all stories need to be handed in next Monday. 

I still have two stories which I sent out to two different magazines and a pen portrait sent to Mslexia which I am waiting for a decision on (they were sent tail end of last year).  I am expecting both the stories to be rejected bearing in mind what I have learnt over the past few weeks.  The pen portrait I am more hopeful about.  It's just a case of wait and see, so watch this space.

Seeing things in a new light

Having received a wealth of feedback on my current short story I set to work.  There was masses of editing and rewrites to do but actually I couldn't wait to get started.  My professional tutor really knows what she is talking about and how to put it across in a way which avoids any upset.  The best part of three hours I spent re-jigging, fiddling and , I have to admit to groaning too until I was pleased with the result.  Don't get me wrong, the story is still not the finished article but reads a lot better.  I'll just wait and see what my Guru thinks of the changes I have made.  I have also completed the first lesson she sent me which seemed easy enough but was tougher than I thought it would be.  As I said before if you are ever in a position to seek professional tuition, do it.

On a personal note my cat Ryker is not a happy cat at all.  He had a scratch on his leg which wasn't healing at all so he had a visit to the vet.  Now he is sulking because he has to wear a buster collar (lampshade) to stop him from licking it.  I'm just glad he can't talk. I dread to think what his language would be like.

It's Watford Writers tonight, manuscript night again but we will also be discussing the programme for the next few months.  We often have speakers, workshops and competitions so all that needs to be scheduled in.  I am hoping to persuade my good friend Linda to perhaps give us a talk or even a workshop sometime.  If I ask her very nicely she might agree.

Best laid plans...

Today I was hoping to dedicate the whole morning to writing and organising the competitions I want to enter into date order.  I find it easier to organise my workload if it is organised.  Just after 10 o'clock I received a phone call from Lisa's school.  She was very unwell and could I come and collect her.  Thankfully Carl was at home so I was able to take the car to get her.  Once she was home I popped her into bed and got my work out again.  About half an hour later she called for me (aww bless) so I put my writing away and adopted my Florence Nightingale role, but without the lamp. 

I have been fortunate enough to be able to have some professional tuition and today I received feedback on a story I have been working on and my first lesson.  I can't wait to get started now.  I am finally learning to take feedback on my work rather than taking it personally.  A wise lady once told me that feedback, good or bad, is a valuable tool in the world of writing.

Sock it...

Socks.  Quite innocent items, easy to wash, often necessary to keep your feet warm and very inoffensive.  So why are my socks behaving so badly?  Yesterday when I was out walking I could feel my sock (ankle socks) slipping down under my heel.  When I got home and took off my boots sure enough my sock had made it's way to the sole of my foot.  I couldn't understand why this had happened.  Also the back of my ankle was rather sore having been rubbing on the back of my boot.  Obviously I examined the sock and could see no difference whatsoever compared to the other one. 

Then today, whilst I was working in the shop my foot (the same one as before) began to feel uncomfortable again.  I sat down and took my boot off to see what had happened this time.  This time my sock had twisted itself around so that the heel was sitting on top of my foot !  Before you ask, yes it was a different pair of socks, the same foot and the same boots.  Now, I have been wearing these boots since last Winter and had no problems last year.  The socks?  Just normal socks and purchased from different shops, not too old and not brand new.  So why is this happening?  My foot looks the same as it always has and there isn't anything amiss with my boot, inside or out.

Tomorrow, I am going to wear my new boots Hubby bought me for Christmas to see if anything weird happens.  Watch this space !!

A full nights sleep...please

It's getting to the point where I cannot remember the last time I slept through the night.  What with feeling unwell, kids having bad dreams and the cats, I am starting to flag.  Last night I was up and down about three times, in the end I almost gave up on sleep in favour of the ironing pile.  Ironing isn't my favourite pass time so I opted to try for a bit more sleep.

It is Hubby's birthday today and he treated us all to a Chinese for tea which went down well with everybody.  I am sworn to secrecy on his age, but I will tell you it starts with a 3 !

I am pleased with my finalised 100 word flash fiction piece and I am thinking of expanding into a short story.  I think it has potential and very romantic, usually I don't do romance but there is something there screaming to be played with.

Puss in Boots pt 2 (Please see pt 1)

My laptop seems to have a mind of it's own today and has not published my full post.  I was saying about the 100 words flash fiction piece inspired by a song/video in You Tube, it's harder than it sounds, in this case a 100 words is not a lot.  I have managed it, after a good few attempts and will give it the once over tomorrow before submitting it as it needs to arrive by 11 Jan.  Wish me luck.

Puss in Boots

As some of you may know I own two cats.  Callie is scared of her own shadow and very timid but Ryker is quite the opposite !  He decided to follow me on the school run as he often does but today for some reason he didn't stop and wait by the post box, he came all the way and even ventured into the school playground.  He found a bush to hide in and waited patiently for me to appear.  He quite enjoyed being petted by some of the mum's and walked just behind me all the way home again. He must have canine genes somewhere!

I am gradually getting back into my writing routine but I am getting cross with myself when I haven't allowed myself enough time to really get stuck in.  I am considering making myself an old fashioned 'school-like' timetable but I think about that for a while longer.

I have been working on a flash fiction peice of 100 words inspired by a song of my choice, it is a challenge set by

Tonight is the first Watford Writers meeting of 2012 and I am hoping I will be able to get there.  Carl is in Sussex and is not sure whether he will be back in time or not, fingers crossed.

Not as I planned

I had share the occupancy of the sofa with Cerys today as we were both feeling under the weather.  To be fair she had been coughing most of the night and was complaining her chest was sore.  To be honest I had been in two minds as to whether to venture into the shop or not, but in the end the decision was made for me.

Whilst Cerys was sleeping on the sofa I got stuck into my writing tasks.  I have expanded my new story a little.  It's probably better suited to flash fiction as I don't want to lose the essence of the story.  By padding it out too much I must just do that.  I also researched a few competitions which looked interesting and have jotted the details down.  Time depending I might try my hand at two of them.

I planned to do some reading this afternoon but instead found myself exchanging Z's with Cerys.  I will have to schedule an hour or so tonight to get that done. 

The best thing about today was that I have a new follower (that makes 9), a lovely and very inspiring Australian lady.  It is exciting to see my once lonely solitary writing life getting bigger and being able to converse with other writer.  Which of course includes my very dear friend Linda.

What a day

I up and out of my sick bed after a horrible dose of food poisoning.  Thankfully, Carl looked after me very well so I am feeling better today, just tired is all.

Anyway, before Christmas I composed a short story in my head and by some fluke managed to keep it floating around in there.  Today I typed it up, padded it out a little and am quite pleased with it so far.  It's odd you know, but all of my stories (barr one) have a twist.  I don't set out thinking of a deliberate twist its just the way my brain plans things out.  Its like (well I imagine) creating a joke with the punchline first then adding the start and middle section in order for it to make sense.  Is that the case with any of you?

Also our boiler broke down yesterday and although an engineer came that afternoon he couldn't fix it.  He said he needed to order a couple of parts, which should arrive tomorrow (today) then he would come back and fit them.  Lady Luck must have been looking my way because he returned this afternoon and within half an hour we had heat.

Back to Reality

What a long Christmas break I have had.  For the first time in over ten years Carl (Hubby) has been able to have a good chunk of time away from work over the festive period and it has been great.  However, back to reality for us all tomorrow,  Lisa (daughter no. 1) is back to school, Carl is back to work and Cerys (daughter no. 2) is back at school Wednesday.  I am quite looking forward to picking up the old routine you know regular mothers meetings, a good expanse of time to get in some worthwhile writing and of course that not so loved task of housework.

I have gradually got used to my new phone but it certainly takes a while.  It was a gift from Carl who is keen for me to not get stuck in the past bless him, there are several things I will never change but I will raise to that challenge when I need to.

Three big competitions to get ready for in the next few months so I will have my work cut out so no daytime TV for a while and no Phil & Holly - still, sacrifices need to be made.