Ready, Steady, Go...

Hooray!  The short story 'Blisters and Baskets' I have been working on has finally made it into the postbox.  I have written it with the one page story slot in mind, thus the word count is 940.  I am really pleased with the final piece.  It has certainly been worth all the editing, ink and paper and I have learnt just how important editing and revision is.  In the past I have become too fond of a paragraph or line of dialogue and been reluctant to take it out.  Now, having been ruthless with myself I can see the advantage of not hanging onto prose that doesn't do anything for the story, whether I love it or not.

Good news - Swanwick Writers Summer School is looming and I am becoming quite excited at meeting my swanwick friends again, plus any newbies.  I made so many wonderful friends last year and the experience was just the lift I needed.

Satisfied

Now this is unusual for me - updating my blog in the afternoon rather than the evening.  I have tried a different writing routine this week, suggested by Carl and must admit it has worked wonderfully.  I have managed to catch up with those poor neglected writing projects, revise and 99% complete a short story ready to be sent out into the world of WOMAG and manged to keep the house looking nice.

Some of you may shrug but a comment Carl made last week really got me thinking: 'Are you are writer who also has domestic chores? Or, are you a housewife whose hobby is writing?'  Well, that certainly made me think about where my priorities should lie - and you guessed it, writing came out on top.  Through using my time carefully I have managed both and I'm a lot happier for it.  Now I'm not saying I have become house proud but the way the house looks now I wouldn't be mortified if an unexpected guess turned up.

And as for writing, I love it.  I am feeling so enthusiastic at the moment even the rejection for a 'TAB Readers Tip' which arrived this morning didn't get me down.  Onwards and upwards fellow scribblers.

Feedback

My reading at Watford Writer's went better than I expected.  Although I did blush, a friend said that nobody noticed due to the bad lighting.  How kind he is.  The feedback I received was really insightful, it's good to get constructive comments plus it proves that they were listening!

I have implemented some of the suggested changes and the story does read more fluently now.  I know I should get into the habit of reading my work aloud but I always feel very silly, especially if Carl is at home and overhears me.  Having said it is something I should make myself do regardless of who is in the house.

There are a few interesting competitions around at the moment which I fancy entering but before I start anything new I need to complete my outstanding lesson for my Guru.

The Guru...She Say Yes

I summoned up my courage and spoke to my Guru about my lessons.  I had become so caught up in other issues that I had not paid them the attention they deserved.  Once I realised this I felt awful because in a way I was showing her disrespect which of course I didn't mean.  Anyhow, the long and the short of it is that she has agreed to continue which is great news for me, I can't wait to get started once more.

The short story I have been working on will get an airing tonight at Watford Writers.  I think it is perhaps 95% cooked but it will be interesting to see what others think and to hear their comment, good or bad.  It's a while since I have read anything to them so I'm hoping I shan't stammer or blush - wish me luck.

What A Week

Writing wise I have had  really good week.  I wouldn't want to bore you with all the nitty-gritty but I have been editing again.  It really is quite remarkable how selecting the right words can change a story, from just a bunch of words and sentences to a tight and hopefully, well written piece of work.  Although I'm sure there is still room for improvement.  I am gradually catching up on all the writing tasks I have neglected and no doubt driven my Guru to distraction.  I have a nice weekend to look forward to which should put me in good stead for another fun-filled, hardworking week.

Back on the Wagon

Well, that's the best day's work I have done in a while and I really enjoyed it.  The housework needs doing and I got soaked on the school runs but I am still happy.  I did the final amendments to a short story I have been writing and sent it out into the world.  In spite of the fact that I know shan't hear anything for a number of weeks, I still have that excited feeling and know I will be stalking the postman yet again.

I have begun a rewrite on a story I wrote several years ago.  If I bring it up to date and tweak it a bit here and there it should be ready to be sent out into the world of WOMAG.  Talking of such things I am missing my writing guru very much.  She hasn't been having a good time of it lately but hopefully the worst is behind her.

On a more positive note I am pleased to see some of my blogger friends have been having some success including the lovely Diane Fordham, congratulations and long may it last.  Although I yearn for a success for myself I am always pleased to hear about others who are out there and making it happen.  You are all a great inspiration to me and I hope to follow in your footsteps one day.

Bank Holiday Confusion

I don't know about you but all these bank holiday have put me in a right muddle plus the half term holiday too.  I have done absolutely no writing although I have thought about it plenty.  I am looking forward to the kids going back to school so I can try and get back to so some kind of normality and being able to sit down and get some writing done.  That's not to say I haven't enjoyed the family time I've had but my little routine has been pushed right out of the window.  On a very favourable note it is only 9 weeks until Swanwick Writers Summer School - yipeee.