Strange Inspiration

It is often said that a writers inspiration hits them at the most unexpected times.  On a bus, standing in a que or even in the shower.  I will spare you the details but my hubby suggested I enter a competition for which the word count is 4000 words.  I've not written anything that long, well not one long story anyway.  So, I was wracking my brains for an idea, having read an anthology of the previous winners and runners-up I knew I had to come up with something very different from my usual style.  Fed up I slumped on the sofa and put a Primeval DVD on - and there it was!  I would write a 'what happened after' about two characters from the show.  For those of you unfamiliar with Primeval Abby and Connor are both members of a secret government department, over time and many near death experience they confess their love for each other (awwww).  Yes, its quite soppy amongst dinosaurs and scary creatures from the future!!

So I had my idea.  Due to copyright I couldn't use their character names or anything relating to Primeval so more thinking was required.  Now I have an good outline for my story, have changed names, disregarded secret government departments and  dinosaurs - but in my head I see Abby and Connor.  How soppy I am, I admit I do love a bit of romance.  Okay so my initial idea had to be shelved but I still have what I hope will be a great story and if Im honest, a little out of my comfort zone but a change i8s as good as a rest, or so I'm told.

Please forgive any typos my spellcheck function on here is not happy and is refusing to come out and play !!

I've Made Up My Mind

Cerys is much better after her Tonsillitis and has gone back to school today.

So, the story I was debating where to send, either TABFF or the Australian magazine That's Life Fast Fiction.  I have decided, after much deliberation, to submit to TABFF.  I haven't ruled out the Australian market but I need to do a little more research and write a new story tailored specifically for them.  That's not to say it will be full of Australian cliche's (G'day Mate) but there are certain things that have a different name/meaning there.  I want to create a good impression.  I have read comments from magazine editors commenting on writers (not by name) who obviously haven't bothered to research their market.  I am not going to be one of those.

Anyhow, on the back boiler there a three more stories waiting to be shaped, moulded and twisted into shape.  It's not a simple case of choosing one to get on with - the story chooses its time.  In other words it stomps around in my head demanding I spend time with it.

Little Steps

Well, today I have managed an hour and a half of writing, bearing in mind I have a poorly 10 year old at home I don't think that's too bad.  Good news in the post this morning, I have been invited for an interview for one of the jobs I applied for.  Yay - fingers crossed, I've been told it's unlucky to say too much but inside I am jumping up and down.

I am still tinkering with two stories, one is ready to go but I'm not sure where to send it - what I mean in TABFF or That's Life Fast Fiction (Australia).  I already have a story with TABFF awaiting a decision so maybe I should give our Ozzie cousins a try.  Problem is I just cannot make up my mind.

Also, I need to be working on a story for the Swanwick Writers School competition.  The theme is '65 not out' which celebrates the 65th years of the school.  Idea keep popping up but I have been unable to grab one and develop it into a real idea.  Ho-hum.  Tomorrow I am hoping for a longer expanse of time to write maybe then I can pin down and idea for Swanwick AND decide which market I will send my latest story to.

Chickens, Eggs and Counting

Where to begin?  What a messed up week or so I've had since my last post here.  It's like the world has gone bonkers and it wants to include me in every aspect.  Well, it can push off because I have my own agenda!!

The only typing I have done since last week is job applications and CV's - you know it's really tough out there these days.  I heard, on the news, that over 2000 people applied for a General Assistant job at Starbucks.  How on earth do you read that many CV's?  Lord knows if they even get read or a chance to see daylight.

Today is the third day Cerys hasn't been to school due to a nasty case of Tonsilitis and yesterday I stopped smoking!!  I am trying out the e-cigs and to try and rid myself of the tobacco taste I have chosen 'grape' flavoured filters - honestly, the water vapour you inhale taste likes grapes.  Other flavours are vanilla, strawberry, banana, bubble-gum, menthol and blueberry.  So far so good, yes, it is early days but as we all know Rome wasn't built in a day.   After my hairdressing appointment tomorrow I intend to lock myself in the conservantory for the afternoon and write - but then, perhaps I shouldn' count my chickens before they hatch.  Alas, the spell-checker on here is still not playing ball so please pretend not to notice the typos.

Getting On

Well, yesterday I had a bit of a disaster.  My computer wasn't saving any changes I made to my current stories.  Of course living with a genius helps and Carl came to my rescue.  He giggled things around and pulled faces but within half an hour the problem was resolved.  It was as well I had a hard copy of the story I was amending.

With one story submitted to TABFF and another entered for the choc-lit short story competition I still have lots to be getting on with.  I have one story almost ready to go out, just a bit more brewing time I think.  I really want to try my luck with the Australian market and I might test the water with that story.  Its a style I've not tried before so why not? 

I have another two on the go and one which is still in draft mode.  So as I say, plenty to keep me busy!  I'm just hoping the gremlins in my laptop don't start to play me up again, its very frustrating.  Its seem I may have wished too soon as the spell check seems to be hiding somewhere, so please forgive any typos.