About Me

My photo
A fiction writer and mum to three great kids, also lucky enough to be married to the man of my dreams. In spite of that mushy comment I do not write flowery romance - I like a nice helping of real life grit in my work. I have a Diploma in Literature & Creative Writing from The Open University and remain a member of the wonderful Watford Writers, despite moving on several times. I am a big fan of Swanwick Writers Summer School which has taught me a great deal and where I have made many great friends. I have yet to reach the dizzy heights of becoming a published superstar but will continue to send my work out into the world.

Tuesday, 18 March 2014

Juggling

It's been an odd few days for me.  I have five short stories on the go plus I need to put some time aside to rewrite parts of my novel. I've never had so many projects on the go at once before.  But it's fun.  I have competition deadlines looming but for once I don't feel panicked by them.  By working on more than one project, as a friend suggested, I find my imagination is much sharper as my time on each piece of work is restricted.  Okay, I don't use any sort of alarm  my brain just seems to know when or if its had enough of a certain story.  So instead of being disappointed and beating myself up for not putting the time into my work I can simply move on to another story waiting in the wings for some care and attention. 

As you will know I had no luck with my novel 'A Different Corner' in the Richard & Judy competition but after trawling through the internet and my writing magazines I have found a few other novel competitions.  I just need time to read through them and choose the competition which best suits me.  I am not ready to give up on my novel yet and I certainly didn't put all that effort only to give up at the first hurdle.  

Monday, 10 March 2014

Win Some, Lose Some

Well, the results from the 'Search for a Bestseller' (Richard & Judy) were announced last week and I wasn't lucky.  To be honest I wasn't surprised.  The amount of entries must have been in the thousands.  The out and out winner still needs to be announced but I wish all the short listed writers the very best of luck - and there's always next time.

I am still waiting to hear from two short story competitions and hope to have better luck as they are not as well known as Richard & Judy's.  I did mention I may have a shot at the Mslexia short story competition but changed my mind.  I left it too late.  I've learnt that lesson well.  Not to enter on impulse but to allow yourself the time to craft a well written piece of work.  If you rush you will more than likely regret entering.  I try not to recall some of my unpolished entries.

Another reminder that the booking is open for the Swanwick Writers Summer School 2014 - if you have not heard of it before take a look at the website.  It's a fabulous week.  Something you will never regret.