Faithful Followers and New Followers

Thank to the regular viewers of my blog, it's good to know I'm not always talking to myself.  A warm welcome to my new followers.  Thank you for joining and I hope I don;t turn out to be a disappointment.

Almost There

Well, working in the conservatory has proved a success.  I wouldn't be happy to move back into the lounge at all now.

I have been working on two stories this week.  The romance one and the story for the competition which asks that Agatha Christie be mentioned at least once.  First the romance - I think I said before that despite my initial doubts I have enjoyed writing this one (it is resting at the moment).  I never thought that passionate kisses, hand holding, roses or intimate restaurant's could be so much fun to write.  I am lucky in that my Hubby is a romantic man so the subject is not completely alien to me - thanks Carl, you've given me more than a few ideas.

Agatha Christie story - I have reached the point where I feel it is 90% finished so have emailed it to my favourite proof reader (mum-in-law) for her to read it through, identify any weak parts and typos.  Helen, that's her name is so good at it - she has a keen eye for detail and is never too harsh with her criticism (thank goodness). 

This afternoon I will be trawling through the web to find other competitions to enter.  Having a deadline, or even better a theme, encourages me to work so much harder.  There are plenty to choose from out there, have a look yourself and see what takes your fancy.

A New Place To Work

To cut a very long and involved story short, I have moved my desk into the conservatory (it was in the lounge before).  At first I thought it would be too cold but Hubby reminded we have underfloor heating in there.  I like it, it's cosy, it overlooks the garden and I am not distracted by the postman, delivery people or the neighbours antics.

I am working on two stories at the moment, something I have not attempted before.  It seems to be going well, I suppose it has something to do with them being so very different. 

My romance story has progressed well and I am really pleased with it.  It's almost ready for me to send to my favourite proof reader (my mum-in-law).  Pure romance is not something I have ever really focused on before but I have really enjoyed myself with this one.  My story for the competition where you have to mention "Agatha Christie" twice is also going well, as it is much shorter than the romance one it is well on it's way for its final edit, although I should get it proof read too.

So, this week so far has been a good one as far as getting writing done.  I am pleased with my new working space, its very atmospheric with the rain beating down on the roof.  If it stays warm in here I may well stay.

Towcesters Treasures

Some of you will remember that after moving to Milton Keynes in the summer, I was finding it difficult to find a writers group to suit me.  Writers groups are a bit like the cut of a pair of jeans.  There is a style and cut to flatter all, you just need to find it.  I digress.  I went along to Towcester writers last night and had a great time.

They really are a warm group of people.  Amongst the writers there are children's writers, fiction, poetry and even memoirs.  I am so glad I have found them.  They meet once a month in the library and although I miss getting together with other writers on a weekly basis, I am looking forward to the next meeting.  Obviously the next meeting is the Christmas one and will be held in a pub.  Double Wammy!

Romance And Murder?

Well, my romance story is going very well.  Lot's of passionate kisses, intimate dinners and far flung places.  While I was reading one of my magazines I came across an competition asking for short stories which include the name 'Agatha Christie' - quite unusual, I thought.

I really enjoy writing with a given theme so I have drafted an entry.  Of course, wherever Agatha Christie is you will find at least one dead body, a poison dart or two and a brilliant twist.  I want to make my story quite humorous too, that 'different slant' notion again.  It's coming along well but it is quite difficult to remove the romance hat then adorn the murder hat.  Still, it's a challenge and I do enjoy a challenge.

I have submitted my Christmas story and just need to wait to see what happens.  They organisers have said that all winners/runners-up will be contacted by November 30th.  You can guess I will be staking out my inbox on that day.  What a wonderful Christmas present that would be, to be a finalist.  Finger crossed!!

Love, Love, Love

I did say I wasn't good at luvvy-duvvy stuff didn't I. 

Well, to be honest I am quite enjoying myself with this current story.  I have found that, if I concentrate, my romantic tendencies come to my aid.  There is something quite sweet about red roses, long passionate kisses, handsome men and moonlit walks along the river.  Not to mention eating out in intimate restaurant's, going to the theatre or weekend breaks in the country. 

But, on the other hand I am being careful to also keep the story real and up to date.  In the real world, love is often a game of ups and downs and never a bed of roses.  There are still bills to be paid, worrying issues which arise and dare I mention the current economic climate.  See, it's a balancing act.  One which I am coming to understand the more I write.  Whoever it was who first said 'we learn something new each day' certainly knew what he was talking about.

Cheating?

Is it cheating to totally re-vamp an old story in favour of writing a new one on the same subject?  I'm not sure, but I've done it anyway.

What with my Christmas story complete, polished and edited within an inch of it's margins, I found a another competition I want to enter.  Not a Christmas one this time.  I had this story, which had been rejected by Woman's Weekley Fiction Special (looking at it I am not surprised).  The idea was good but the delivery of it wasn't.  So, for this romance competition I dug it out and have almost completely re-written it.  It's looking a lot healthier, but as always, there is still a long way to go.  Getting romance across as opposed to something sickly-sweet is a tricky business, if I'm honest I'm not that good at luvvy-duvvy (?) stuff.  I quite like a bit of grittiness in a story.  A good dose of realism but hey-ho after my encounter with the dark side, perhaps romance, love, windswept beaches and long lingering kisses will do me good.

Online Wonders

Some of you will know that I have been struggling to write a personal profile.  To be honest my first few attempts were pathetic.  The profile has been requested by the organisers of a competition I am entering.  As the submission date is looming I thought I had better stop playing around and produce something worth reading. 

Oh, Google, how wonderful you are!  I found a site which not only makes suggestions but also gives you examples - a small find but so appreciated.  I would like to say that I now have a short profile/bio, whatever you choose to call it, which is, I think, actually quite good.  Why, oh why did I not think to do this before.  Still as the old saying goes 'you learn something new everyday'.

While I was lurking in the shadows of Google I also found details of a short memoir competition.  Memoirs are not a genre I have had a lot of practise with.  But I quite fancy giving it a shot, it's being organised by Fish Publishing.  If any of you out there are interested, give it a go - a change is as good as a rest. Watch this space!!

Thank Goodness for That

Thank goodness half term is over.  The amount of meaningful work I achieved last week you could print onto your little fingernail!!  Yes, yes I know, I could have made more time for myself but then I'm an old softie.  I can't deny I enjoy spending time with the kids when school's out.

My Christmas Story is finished, well, barr the odd tweak and I have made a start on the personal profile which is required.  Now that is going to take practise.  My first draft was so bad I nearly sent myself to sleep.  The second was a little better and the third even had a shred of humour injected into it.  The fourth?  Well, I'll have to let you know.  It's odd having to write about yourself in 150 words or so.  What is interesting to others and was is not.  Sure like most people, I could tell you a tale or two, but would it make interesting reading - hmmm, still needs a lot of thinking about.

Now that project is almost complete I am searching for new outlets.  There is so much out there competitions, submissions, on line sites it's actually quite a task to decide upon.  I have no experience of any on line sites although I have heard of a few.  'Alfie Dog' seems to be one that pops up quite a lot and seems relatively popular but right now I don't want to research, I just want something to sink my teeth into and get writing.  If any of you reading this have any suggestions feel free to leave a comment.