About Me

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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.

Friday 30 January 2015

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.


Monday 19 January 2015

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.

Monday 12 January 2015

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.