'Little Gems' (And...It's Done)

Well, it's out there, floating around in cyber space hoping to be downloaded to any kindle device willing to give it space.

The collection of short stories I have been working on has eventually been uploaded to Amazon Kindle. I am so excited. To date it has been downloaded 7 times.  Its not about the money its about getting my work out there, people I don't know and will probably never meet reading my stories.  Its such a good feeling, for me, a real achievement.

What's next? NanoWriMo. For some reason unbeknown to even me, I have opted to complete this crazy challenge again.  Back in 2013 it was both the best and worst month of the year. A complete novel in 30 days, yes its possible but not easy.  If you're up for a challenge give it a go.

And don't forget my collection of short stories 'Little Gems' is available on Kindle right this minute.

School Holiday Over

Hi - yes the school's are back at last !!
Normality can now resume, which for me means getting my short story collection ready for publication on Kindle.  At last, the end is in sight.  There really is light at the end of the tunnel. For those of you unaware of my little project, its a collection of  my favourite 10 short stories to be unleashed into the world of electronic publishing, Amazon Kindle to be exact.  A sample of my work to share with short fiction lovers, to keep them company on the train, bus or at coffee/tea breaks.  We all like a break from the day to day trudge, don't we?
As soon as I've opened the door to the cage you'll be the first to know and who knows maybe you might even buy a copy.  Fingers crossed and watch this space.

Writing Groups

You know, Essex is a big place.  But can I find a writer's group even remotely local? No I cannot and its driving me mad. The group I did belong to have decided to remove me from their members list as my attendance is sporadic. Fair? No, I don't think so. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell them that its quite difficult to drive with one hand when you have a shoulder injury, but then what's the point? They've made their decision and I can't be bothered to argue about it and I'm certain;y not going to beg!  Anyway the point of this post is that in such a vibrant county as Essex the lack of writers groups is astonishing, if I widen the search any more I'll be in Kent!

Ho-hum these things are sent to try us.  Wish me luck with my search and believe me if I find a group I'll let you know.

A Change Is As Good As A Rest

Hi

I've just returned from Fishguard Writers Holiday and wanted to tell you what a fabulous time I had there.  As you may remember the last four years I have attended Swanwick Writers Summer School but this year I wanted a change.  Anyway, back to Fishguard (which by the way took me 6 hours to drive to from Essex). The tuition there was brilliant.  You choose 2 courses for the week, so for Tuesday/Wed you do your first course and only the first course.  Thursday/Friday you do the second course.  The good thing about this set up is that the tuition is continuous and not interrupted by anything else.  Of course there a mini workshops after tea but nothing that will distract from the days learning.  It makes such a difference, whatever you are learning goes in and stays in clever and constructive way to open ones mind.

The people were friendly, I had a lovely room (with a TV), the food was good and plentiful, so all in all I had a great time and have returned refreshed and ready to go.  Once my short story collection is uploaded onto kindle I will be concentrating all my efforts into novels.  It really is about time but I get so tempted by the short story comps - well not from now on!

Finally, I'd like to thank Ann and Gerry Hobbs for arranging such a great holiday particularly Ann who made me laugh everyday.  Brilliant hosts.

Nearly There...

Hi Guys - now for those of you who remember me talking about a collection of short stories I was planning to publish on kindle, well I'm almost there.  My collection should be complete and ready to go by the weekend.

Am I complacent about it? No, I'm scared stiff.  But on the other hand who is to say that at least a few copies will sell and that's a few more copies than will sell if I don't get my work out there.  Yeah, I know I'm babbling now but honestly I can't decide whether I'm a little excited too.  Ok I am excited, a little bit.  I suppose even great authors must have felt as I feel right now.  What's that book called? Oh yeah 'Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway' - good advice (but still scary).

Shoulder Injuries and Netflix

Hi All - Yes I know I've been gone a long time again.  But now I'm back.  The reason for my long absence is due to a shoulder injury which had me almost passing out in pain.  Obviously it was impossible for me to write, type or even dress myself (too much detail?).

So, other than feeling sorry for myself whilst being laid up I struck up an intimate relationship with Netflix.  She's been good to me and kept me from climbing the walls, yes one handed, and crying into my tea. Against my better judgement I allowed my daughter to introduce me to 'Pretty Little Liars' and Oh dear, I am hooked.  Its supposed to be a 12 but I'm not sure it should be as it contains murder, blackmail, theft, hit and run, kidnap and oh so many lies.  Its not so much as a 'who dunnit' but 'who is it'.  There are five seasons, of which I have watched twice and still cannot work it out.  Give it a go if you have the spare hour here or there.

But today I am back on track and almost done with my collection of short stories which will soon be available on kindle.  I just thought I'd pop by and touch base with you and to say, although I'm not always around you guys are never far from my thoughts.

A Change of Plan

Hey Guys - I didn't realise it had been such a while since I spoke to you, but you know what I'm like. Anyhow, last time I was telling you about a ghost story I was writing and how much I was enjoying it, not having written one before. And I was - but then something happened.  Do you ever have those 'deep into the night conversations' with your other half? You know the ones, sitting up until 3 in the morning.  Well me and hubby did just that.  He was encouraging me to put together a collection of my short stories to publish on Kindle.  It's something we've discussed before but I've never been that keen.  Always thinking that people wouldn't like my work and leave negative reviews.  But hubby helped me to see that it didn't matter what some people might think, after all every author/writer on this earth has at sometime or another had negative feedback.  I suddenly realised he was right and why shouldn't I give it a go, which of course I am.

Almost two weeks in and I'm almost there, with the stories that is.  Revision, editing and polishing are being done religiously and I'm really excited about the whole thing.  So what if some sad person feels the need to leave a negative comment?  It's all part and parcel of life isn't it.  But I will never know unless I put myself out there.

As ever Guys, wish me luck.

Spooky

I've often thought about writing a ghost story but have never actually put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.  But a writer friend of mine sent me the details of a ghost short story competition and I decided to give it a go.  Why not?  Its good to step out of your comfort zone now and again.  To date I have written 1,238 words and surprisingly have enjoyed every minute of it.  I'm certainly not saying I'm the next Stephen King but its great fun and what's more I still have two weeks before the deadline and a few more twists up my sleeve.

On a different note I also entered two erotic short stories into the Ann Summers competition - don't even ask how I discovered this competition.  Its not what you're thinking, believe me.  All in all I'm pleased at how well the new year has started for me regarding writing that is, long may it last.

And We're Off

I didn't do any writing over the festive period, not a jot.  So I'm pleased that since I opened my laptop last week I've written two and a half stories.  For me, who is a slave to procrastination, that's a good start.

I've decided that this year I'm going to enter more competitions and not just wish I had.  Mslexia magazine has a short story competition coming up, deadline is 16/3/15 which gives me plenty of time to prepare.  I had planned on giving it a go last year but I left it too late.  A lesson learned there I feel. There a so many competitions out there if you look.  You can find them in magazines or on-line, not just fiction either.  Some requests essays and articles I even saw one for song lyrics - not my strong point though.  Having just received my Writers  Forum through the post I'm tempted to enter their monthly competition too.  The possibilities are endless - as are the words I will need to type.

2015

Hooray - first post of the year.

How many of you made new years resolutions? And how many of you have broken them already? Quite a few I think.  Rubbish aren't they, why does it have to be a new year for us to take stock of our lives and initiate a change?  The simple answer is that it doesn't, most of us just get swept up in the festive season and its old, old traditions.

I have made some changes in my life but not because its a new year but because they have been a long time coming.  There are people who, well I thought, were friends but turned out to be just the opposite in fact.  I've decided to no longer quiz myself on what I may have done wrong but why they did whatever it which caused a rift.  I'm very much a 'take me as you find me' person and I view most people in the same way.  After a lot of soul searching its become obvious that if people can't accept me the way I am then tough.  I'm no longer going to try and change for people, if you like me then you'll accept me the way I am, warts 'n' all - not that I have any warts of course!!

So what about writing?  I could waffle on about this and that and the whys and how's but the hard truth of the matter is 'bum on seat' and work, work, work.

I'll keep you posted.