Gardners & Writers

I once heard, or read, Alan Titchmarsh claim that 'a good garden is never finished' or words to that effect.

Well I'm finding the same with my novel.  The deeper in I get the more work I realise there is to do.  Now it's not that the work bothers me because it doesn't but I have to wonder when does it stop.  When will I know that I have edited and revised every chapter, rounded my characters enough, sewn threads into my main story line?  Does that ever happen?  And as for imagery don't even get me started!  Obviously in a novel as opposed to a shorter work there is much more scope to linger on description and imagery.  But just how much is enough?

This morning I have been working on describing a hall decorated for a wedding reception and to freshen up my ideas I used Google images.  Mistake? Well now I feel I am back to square one as the images have filled my head and made my former description look naff, at the very least and badly in need of  re-writing. Actually I quite enjoy it.  I used to scoff quietly as those writers who confessed they'd spent years writing their novel but slowly I am starting to understand why.

As much as I admire Mr Titchmarsh I do hope his theory on gardens isn't true for writers.

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.  

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.

Getting There

So to date I am working on three short stories.

Not the way I usually work as I easily confuse myself but after speaking to a fellow writer who offered me a few tips, it isn't working out too badly for me.  As I mentioned before I have three competitions to submit to, hence the multiple stories.  All three are new to me, in fact I'd not heard of them before.  It just goes to show just how brilliant the Internet can be.  Talking of which, I was struggling to describe something today so on the off chance I used Google images - hey presto I found heaps of images which brought my description to life and added more depth to my story.

Talking of short story competitions I may have a shot at the Mslexia competition this year.  For reasons unknown, even to me, its a competition I have avoided before.  So what's changed? I don't know but I do know I am enjoying getting my teeth well and truly stuck into my writing once more.

Did I tell you that booking was open for Swanwick Writers Summer School?  No, well it has.  Get those bookings in fast guys.  It's something you will never regret.

Thank You Dr

I don't usually include aspects of my private (intimate) life on here as I like to keep to the subject of writing - but I didn't want you to think I'd left you again.

On Monday 10 February I had an operation to remove my gallbladder.  Thankfully it went very well with no complications and it was key hole surgery too.  As much as I wanted to last week I couldn't muster up the energy to post here.  But now I am feeling so much better (just a little sore) I can't wait to get back to my writing and to share my news with you all.  Don't panic, the postman is safe for another week or so.

I've had a few short stories on the go ready to submit to competitions of which I hope I haven't missed the deadline and I also have an outline for another novel.  So plenty to be getting on with over this coming week.

As ever, wish me luck.

I'm Home !!

So sorry to have neglected you once again but I had problems getting into my blog.  Although it appears I was the only one.  After wrestling with the problem myself for several weeks I eventually gave in and asked Hubby for help.  And guess what?  Within a minute, yes a minute, he'd fixed the issue.  How does he do that?

So, where are we?  2014 submissions do far is 2.  Doesn't sound a lot does it but compared to this time last year I'm miles ahead.  As you know I submitted my novel 'A Different Corner' to the Richard & Judy Search for a Bestseller and have entered a short story competition too.  As I am not expecting any results until next month I have left a note for the postman to assure him I won't be stalking him for a while yet.

Today booking for Swanwick opened and already I have completed my booking form and I'm ready to run down to the post box.  It's so exciting.  For those of you who are not familiar with the school the website address is www.swanwickwritersschool.org.uk - have a look, try it out I can assure you it won't be something you will ever regret.  New to writing or not, published or not there is something at Swanwick for everybody.  Go on...give it a chance.  It opened up so many doors for me and I met so many fantastic people I cannot recommend it highly enough.  If finance is an issue there is a competition to 'Win your way to Swanwick' - details are also on the website.

A New Year

Happy New Year to you all.

This year I have decided on less dreaming and wishing and more action.  More of a positive attitude towards my work.

'A Different Corner' the novel I wrote originally for NaNoWriMo has been sent of to Richard & Judy's search for a bestseller.  I could fib and say it was my first submission of 2014 but it had to be submitted by 31 December 2013 - so I won't.  I won't hear anything if at all until later in the year so at least the postman is safe for a while.

I have my eye on a few lesser known short story competitions and an idea for another novel.  Plenty to keep me busy.  NaNo was such a great experience for me and has indeed helped me find my writing mojo again.

Of course any offers, wins you will be the first to know.