Julie's Quest

A Challenge ......... Are You Up To It?

2012-01-25T08:00:00.002Z

When you were a child, in order to coax you to do something you didn't think you could do or didn't want to do, did your parents or guardians ever bet you that you couldn't do it? Or maybe your school friends would dare you to do something and in order to not loose face you did it anyway to prove them wrong? It happens in our everyday adult life too. I have to prove to my boss that I can do my job, I have to prove to an editor that I am not only capable of writing the article that I have pitched to them, but I am the best person to write it.

Sometimes, particularly when having to do something new, we don't always have the confidence to do it. We think that we lack the skills or knowledge to do it and it is fear of failure and embarrassment that stops us from even trying. We manage to convince ourselves of our shortcomings without recognising our potential before we even give ourselves a chance! It can be a difficult obstacle to get ourselves over - and I'm the first person to admit that sometimes I don't approach a new editor of a potential new market because I have convinced myself that they won't be interested in my work, that I'm not capable of writing anything they will want and there are hundreds of other writers out there with more experience and expert knowledge than me that there's no point in bothering. I know, I know, someone slap me.

So, as February is known as the month of love thanks to dear old Saint Valentine, and, in honour of it being a leap year this year, I am challenging you all to fall in love with your writing all over again and love and trust in your own abilities to get that new commission. So, if you wish to join me, I am asking that interested parties do something positive for their writing everyday during February. You can choose one or more or all of the challenges below:

1. Pitch a new idea a day to new markets.
2. Write and sub a short story every week during the month.
3. Write a short blog posting each day with some inspiring and/or motivating advice for writers.
4. Write a reader's letter a day and sub one different one to a different magazine each day.
5. Write something, anything, for at least ten minutes a day - invest that time in your own writing and see how much you can actually get down on paper during that time. Challenge yourself to increase your word count each day by the end of February.

You can even make your own challenge up - only you know what you can manage to do and what is likely to keep you motivated. Do keep commenting throughout the month on how you are getting on with your challenge and any advice you have that you've discovered during the month.

Don't forget to spread the word - let's see how many writers we can get to take up the challenge!

Happy valentine!

Julie xx

Getting to the root of it

2012-01-20T08:00:00.001Z

I had a wonderful find the other day as I was perusing the books displayed outside a PDSA charity shop. Nestled between the Barbara Taylor-Bradford's and the Dan Browns were two books that I couldn't resist. I love books that inform me about writing and writers. I also love books that delve into the English language, quotations, for example, and how words are formed. So profound is my love of words that my husband marvels when I sit down and read the dictionary. He says I'm the only person he knows who does this! Okay, so I'm a bit strange like that, but I can't help it. Some people knit, some people go sky diving, while others cycle, do cross stitch or go hill working. I read the dictionary and I'm proud to admit it!

Anyway, the books. The first one was The Penguin Dictionary of Troublesome Words by Bill Bryson, published in 1984 and the second, Words of a Feather by Murray Suid, published in 2007. It was as though fate had drawn me to that shop as I rarely shop in that area of town but I'm so glad I made a detour this time. The books are brilliant! Bill Bryson looks at words that are sometimes misspelled or used in the wrong sense - the book gives the right way to use them and how to spell them. Murray Suid's book is about etymology and gives the origins of words related words such as acrobat and acronym or deadline and linen. It made for fascinating reading and will be useful for my writing.

So next time your in town, head for the second hand or charity shops and peruse their book shelves. You might just find yourself an interesting read that will improve and enhance your writing.

Happy perusing!

Julie xx

Time

2012-01-15T17:18:00.000Z

We all have days when time just seems to fly away from us. Recently the days and weeks have just gone by so fast I feel as though I've been sucked up by a tornado and spat out the other end! One minute it was the run up to Christmas and here we are in the middle of January. Where did the time go?

We live in a time orientated world - we can't do anything without consulting the clock god. Time is so tight sometimes that something has to give and it can be tempting for that thing to be our writing. But, if we want to published and carry on being published then that time we have to write is precious and as essential to our writing as a computer or pen and paper.

So next time you're feeling frazzled with your back against the wall, children screaming for attention, partner grumping around because he can't find the car keys, mother-in-law on the phone complaining because you haven't visited for a week, your boss demanding you have that report on his desk by Monday, the carpet taking a life of its own with all the dust and debris on it, remember your writing because no-one else will. You owe it to your writing to put it higher on your list of to-do things. Get your partner a key rack to hang his keys on so they're always kept in one place, give your children an activity to do (hoovering the carpet is a good one if they're old enough - well they have to do something to earn their pocket money don't they?) Then get yourself off to do some writing. It's the one activity that no-one else can do for you - the household chores, shopping, child entertainment, etc, can all be done just as well by someone else for a while. So let it go and give yourself some writing time. It's not being selfish, it's investing in yourself and your writing and that can only be good for you and your family and friends.

It's something I've been struggling with for a few weeks as other things have taken priority. I've been doing the typical stiff upper lip English women's thing of trying to do it all, which, I have found out, you can't ! So I intend to take my own advice and let it go and get back to my writing because I'm never truly happy unless I write. I have a few articles in the pipeline that have been commissioned and a couple of short stories that I want to get edited and subbed so I need the time to do them justice. And you need time for your writing too.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Every experience counts.

2012-01-09T16:38:00.000Z

I sometimes hear writers bemoaning the fact that they have nothing to write about. I must admit when I'm in the doldrums I do on occasion tend to strike a pose akin to a child wailing that they are bored - but it doesn't happen very often as I know that writing ideas are everywhere and are hiding in every aspect of our lives: home, family, friends, pets, distant relations, work, hobbies, health, everywhere you can think of, just waiting to be found.

If you keep your mind, your eyes and your ears open and ask lots of questions about the world you inhabit and the people/things you know then you should never be without something to write about. It can be hard to extract a short story or article idea from your life experiences due to the many facets of that experience. But it is possible to narrow that experience down to a couple of points - this way you will get several pieces of work from one experience, for example:

A trip to the Dr's could give you:

a) What to expect from your GP
b) How to get the best out of your GP visit
c) Your GP surgery isn't just for ailments -what else can your surgery offer you?
d) When things go wrong - What can you do?
e) How to cope with .......whatever ailment you or a family member is/has gone through.
f) How to get over the fear of going to your GP
g) Waiting room anecdotes/humour
h) Five things you should see your GP about.
i) How to broach embarrassing health matters with your teenager with help from your GP
j?What can the nurse help you with?

There are loads of them. I only chose this subject as my dad had a GP appointment today and I used to work as a nurse in a GP surgery so I know a lot about them!

Another subject might be Getting a new cat:

a) How to choose the right cat for you.
b)Buy from a breeder or cat rescue?
c) How to deal with a stray cat.
d)Keep your cat in tip top condition.
e)Keeping your cat entertained.
f) Top five cat ailments - what to look for and how to help.
g) Bereavement: how to help your surviving cat(s) through it.
Bereavement: Is getting another cat the answer?

Again, there are many, many, many possibilities. Yes, people have written on these topics many times over but YOU haven't and YOU have a unique take on it - so go for it! Never think that your experiences are not good enough to write about, because they are.

Make a list of some of your experiences that you've had and under each experience's heading write a list of the possible issues to do with that experience that you could write about.

That should keep you (and me) busy for a while!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Sort it out

2012-01-03T10:57:00.000Z

It's only three days into the New Year and I've already had a sort out. The aim was to get most of the re-organisation of my writing business done over the Christmas holidays but time just flew by and that was that! Anyway, I have sorted out my two main Work in Progress folders. I have one for short stories and one for articles. They both have an index and dividers so I can gain quick access to whichever piece of work I need to rather than search through towering piles of paper which not only wasted my valuable writing time but also meant things got lost and I had a few more grey hairs by the second.

Having my work organised in this way allows me to see what I have on the go at any one time and where I am with each piece, ie, how near I am to submitting them. It's saved me precious writing time and I feel more relaxed about my writing as I know exactly where it is!

It's the last day before I go back to work and it's been lovely having more writng time for a couple of weeks but I will have my writing time reduced again through my day job(s). Looking on the bright side, however, the money I earn from my day job(s) helps pay the bills and I can save up for a new computer too, not to mention I have contact withreal people in the real outside world that provide me with writing fodder! There are always positives and in the current recession I realise how lucky I am to have found work at all.

Right, today I'm in article mode. Over Christmas I actually managed to finish assignment six of the journalism course I've been doing forever and submitted it to my tutor. I do hope the shock won't be too much for her ;0) There are rather long gaps between the assignments I send to her.

Happy writing and getting organised

Julie xx

The right direction

2011-12-31T09:00:00.001Z

How has your writing gone over 2011? Are you happy with your achievements and are you clear about where you heading with your writing in the coming year? If your answers to these questions are no, then take heart; you have a whole 12 months coming up to rectify the situation and turn that no into a yes. The New Year of 2012 could be the year where you finish the first draft of that novel you've meaning to write, or the year you make your first short story sale, or sell a story to a new market. You could take a writing course, book yourself in to a literary festival you've never attended before, book a place on a writing holiday or treat yourself to a writing retreat. But these things will only happen if you make them happen.

I haven't achieved half of what I wanted to do with my writing but instead of seeing this as a negative and letting it drag my determination down I am treating it as a positive - I've achieved a lot but I can do better and the coming year will give me the opportunity to do just that. It's my own fault I haven't got the writing projects that I wanted off the ground and I know I need to work harder at focusing on what I really want to achieve as a writer.

What will your focus in 2012 be? And how are you going to go about it?

Happy New Writing Year!

Julie xx

Are You Positively Productive?

2011-12-30T20:41:00.000Z

I had a surprise parcel delivered to me yesterday. It contained a rather large kick up the bum! It was a copy of Simon Whaley's marvellous new book The Positively Productive Writer which is out in January 2012. Now I know Simon very well and it is largely down to his frequent kicks up the bum that I ever get any writing done at all! His latest book looks at how thinking positively can kick start your writing and gives many, many tips and advice on how to be positive in the face of countless rejections and how to be more productive as a result.

The book also contains contributions from myself, Diane Perry - both of us members of the same writing group as Simon Wrekin Writers, Viv Hampshire (I can't find you on Blogspot, Viv, sorry - if anyone knows of a link I can put here to Viv's blog/ website please let me know, and Lynne Hackles. It was such a privilege to be asked to contribute and it was very exciting to see Simon's finished book on my door mat!

As you know I am a positively productive writer myself but sometimes even I need a well targeted kick to get me going! And Simon's book doesn't disappoint - it did to me exactly what the title suggests and I was suitably moved to action. So far today I've finished the second draft of an article and written the first draft of a 1,200 word short story. I'd recommend you read Simon's book - you will be too afraid not to write, less he come after you with his boot!

On another positively productive note the fourth article of mine on writing groups is in the February 2012 issue of Writing Magazine in the Writers' News section along with Simon Whaley's article based on a section from the book. So being positive about your writing and ability to write does lead to more productivity and publication!

Thank you Simon! Bu,t as Simon says, being a positively productive writer only works if you're prepared to do the work and I so am. I hope you are too otherwise Simon will get his boot out again!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Fighting Talk

2011-12-26T12:37:00.000Z

Well, it might be Boxing Day, but the gloves are off as far as my writing are concerned. Having enjoyed the festivities over the last couple of days, it's back to business for me. I've given myself a stern talking to and as actions speak louder than words and I dare not disobey myself I've finished that assignment for the Writers Bureau Journalism course I'm still doing, which I shall post forthwith, and I've done the first draft of another article that will be sent by the end of the week.

Also, surprisingly, I've had a shower of short story ideas descend on me over the past few days. This happens quite frequently to me. I'll go for weeks without having a single ide and just when I've finished moaning about my lack of imagination and creativity out they all come. It's like the old Pringles advert: once you pop you can't stop! Some of my ideas are Christmas based but most of them aren't. I shall look forward to following these up in the New Year.

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, although the feature in February's Writing Forum on various writer's goals for the coming year made for interesting reading. But I do have a clear idea of how I want to progress with my writing in 2012. It's taken me some time to realise that writing and getting published are a slow process and the current economic climate, which is likely to remain in recession for a good few years yet isn't helping! But if I look back to 2007 when I started writing and to know - I haven't done very badly at all - but the work has to go on! And it is! Pull your finger out - enough mince pies - put down the chocolates and get writing.

Good luck

Julie xx

The eve of possibility

2011-12-24T09:00:00.001Z

I love Christmas Eve. It's my favourite day of the festive season. The Christmas shopping has (hopefully) been done, the children are (hopefully) in bed and it's time to sit down, relax and unwind and consider what has happened since last Christmas. For some of us it has been an amazingly successful year in regards to our writing, but, for others, they have yet to be published.

Getting published can take a hell of a long and frustrating time! I've been there, got the t-shirt, DVD and special edition CD with bonus tracks and I'm still there trying to get published as the hard work doesn't stop on your first publication. So remember, if you haven't yet managed to get any of your work published, or you have but not as much as you would have liked, that you are not alone and you are doing the right things by writing lots, reading lots and learning lots about the writing, editing and publishing process.

So, today, once the day is settled and you are sitting there with your mulled wine and mince pie, have a look back at your writing achievements and your near misses (we won't say the 'R' word today,) and think about how you are going to move your writing forward next year. It's no good stopping at the thinking part of the process, though. You have to move on from there and actually take steps to improve your writing and publishing prospects - so next Christmas you can sit sipping your mulled wine and nibbling your mince pie with a greater success list than last year!

Have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy the moment and look forward to an exciting, prolific and successful writing year in 2012.

Happy Christmas and happy writing

Julie xx

Never say never to good advice

2011-12-17T09:00:00.001Z

When I look back to 2007 when I took up the challenge to get serious about my writing, I read lots of books on writing and scoured the magazine racks for writing magazines that would tell me how to write. I also did a writing course with the Open University. This was my big test. I thought that if I could pass a writing course then I would start sending my work out. I did pass and I did send my work out and promptly got many, many rejections! But I stuck at it and I'm so glad I did.

So, in the early months of my foray into writing, what advice did I find most useful? I've compiled a list of the writing tips that were passed on to me that I found most useful at the start and that have helped me along the way. I hope they will help you too. But if you've got any to add that have made you the writer you are then feel free to add them.

* Keep writing no matter how down hearted and tired of rejection you get. This was a key piece of advice for me.
*Read as much as you can in the genre of what you wish to write.
*Find out exactly how editors want to be approached, ie, by initial e-mail with a pitch/idea or the complete manuscript and do it - if they don't say you can do it in their guidelines then you can't!
*Join a writing group - there's nothing like face to face contact with other writers to get your creativity flowing and to realise that you are not alone and all writers face similar issues.
*Get yourself known on-line in writing forums and blogs, social networking, etc. A problem shared is a problem halved and you can not only get your own questions about writing sorted but you can help other writers too which is the best bit.
*Write lots and lots and lots and lots and lots.
*Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it - no-one will think you are stupid a part from yourself!
*Celebrate your successes no matter how small.
* You won't get published if you don't send your work out in the first place - so be brave!
*Enjoy the writing process. There's no point in doing it if it isn't fun.

Have fun writing!

Get in the mood ......

2011-12-10T20:28:00.000Z

It's time to get in the mood for Christmas - well it's only 15 days away. But I don't mean get ready for this year. Oh no! I mean get yourself prepared, in a literary sense, for Christmas 2012. It's far too late now to even consider subbing a short story or article for this Christmas. In the world of publishing, it's all done and sparkly, magically Christmas dusted. But, there's no need to get despondent about it - save it all for next year.

While the tinsel is up and the Christmas lights are twinkling, sit yourself down and let the spirit and atmosphere of Christmas wash over you. Let all that embodies Christmas fill your head and let the mulled wine flow and let those ideas come flooding out of you on to the page. Then put them away in a draw or folder and let them rest for a while. You'll then have probably six to eight months to edit them to your heart's content and get them subbed in plenty of time for next year. Most items need to be subbed a good four to six months before the big day itself for them even to be considered. I know most seasoned writers know this, but a beginner might not.

So look about you this festive season and write it all down: the smells, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the textures and use it all to full effect in your writing. But don't just look at the usual or the ordinary because every other writer will be doing that as well. Open your eyes and see things from a different perspective - the unusual and original will whet the editor's appetite for your work. Think laterally and about what Christmas means to you and your family, whilst taking it in its wider context. Do you have any experience or knowledge of Christmas traditions in other countries, for instance, that you could bring into the mix - something that's different but familiar with readers will be a hit. If you can write something that has that illusive little bit extra, that special sparkle that editors have their eye on then you'll be one step ahead. It's finding that special little extra that's the problem. But if you keep yourself open to knew experiences this Christmas and new ways of thinking about the festive season you'll be well on your way.

Happy Christmas thinking and writing!
Julie xx

Christmas is coming .......

2011-12-03T22:06:00.000Z

........The goose is getting fat. So are you ready for the Big Day then? What do you mean, no? Don't worry, neither am I! I did attend Much Wenlock Christmas Fayre today which was wonderful as ever and I have started to write my Christmas cards, but I'm still recovering from NaNo and my 'orrible virus thing I had, so I've not done much writing. I have, however managed to get my accounts into some sort of order and I'm well on my way to planning my writing programme for the coming year.

I like to take time over the Christmas and New Year period to look back over what I've achieved with my writing over the past 12 months and where I want to take it in the next 12 months. It helps to give me direction and an idea of what I want to try next. The trouble is that there is so much I want to do writing wise that I find it hard to pin myself down and choose which project I want to do next! I'd rather have it that way round than not have any writing projects to do at all. It's going to prove to be more challenging this coming year due to my writing time being reduced - I'm going for quality over quantity in 2012!

Have a look back at your own writing and take the time over Christmas when you've had enough of the repeats on the TV to plan your next move. It's better than watching your nearest and dearest fighting over the remote and the last Quality Street.

Happy planning

Julie xx

Done It!

2011-11-28T21:21:00.000Z

Just a quick post this time as I'm all written out - yes I have completed the NaNo challenge - 50,500 words and two days to spare - that's despite my job and life getting in the way! It can be done if you set your mind to it. And, believe me - there has been some pretty serious gnashing of teeth and setting my mind to it. It's the family motto - stubborn virtue conquers all!

Well done to everyone else who has done (is doing) NaNo - Not long to go now. You can do it - head down and get typing!

I also have another article in Writing Magazine (Writer's News bit,) In the January issue, advising writing groups on how to go about critiquing their member's work.

I think I need to go and lie down in a darkened room for a couple of days now to get over NaNo! If only, eh? Far too busy for that. A writer's pen is never idle for long and I'm gagging to get the story finished! 75,000 words is the next target.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Taking chances

2011-11-26T21:59:00.000Z

It's been a fast week this week and I can hardly believe that here I among a Saturday morning again. Well done to all those NaNo bods who have completed their 50,000 words. It's a great feeling and I hope I shall be celebrating with you soon. I am currently at around 40,500 words so now back on track to be finishing on the 30th (even if it might be at 23:59 hrs!)

But, of course, November 30th isn't the end for our NaNo novels - then comes the longer, more sedate but intense period where the NaNo novel is unravelled and digested and edited. I think that as NaNo-ers we owe it to our efforts and sacrifices and determination to finish the novel that that is exactly what we do. We've taken the time to write it so now we have the chance to whip it into shape - to tease out the real story hidden in those hastily written words. So I would advocate that we take that chance and after a few weeks of letting our NaNo novel breathe we inhale deeply, read through the NaNo novel, and see where we are with it. It might not be pretty and might make for some uncomfortable reading, but hidden somewhere will be a few sentences and paragraphs, a few plot strings and the beginnings of great characters that will a story make! So don't be afraid to take that chance.

If you haven't done the official NaNo then why not do your own mini-nano? Take a weekend or an evening, a week and commit to write some words and see what happens. One thing that is for sure and that is the best thing about NaNo for me is that it makes you write. You have a few thousand words that you didn't have at the beginning of November. You can't work with what you haven't got down on paper and even if those words are not the best you've ever written at least you have something to work with. Take your own chance.

I have good news to report. I have short story in this week's issue of The Weekly News which, incidentally, has three stories this time with mine being the shorter one. I'm also doing a series of articles about writing groups for writing magazine, so things are good on the writing front. After NaNo - which I'm aiming to finish this weekend, I'll be going back to my short stories as I don't have many out there now and finishing assignment 6 and 7 for the journalism course I still haven't completed (to my shame!)

So I'm going to pretty busy with that and my day job - but I'm happy with my NaNo efforts so far and now I can see the tape of the finishing line flapping in the breeze in the distance I can feel my vigour renewing itself as we speak!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Writing - a pleasure or a curse?

2011-11-20T21:36:00.000Z

Nano is in full swing and so congratulations to those who are taking part - we are on the home straight now with a week and a half to go til the big finish. I'd also like to say sorry to those who aren't doing NaNo this year and well done for putting up so well with those of us who are obsessed with it! It can't be easy.

I've had a few days off from the NaNo frenzy as I've been on a sleep over with the beaver scouts which didn't lend itself to writing as we were on the go morning til night. What with that and my chest infection it hasn't exactly been conducive to writing. But I've managed to type a few words today and I'm just over the 30,000 word mark which I'm pleased about.

I love writing, but there are times when I wonder why I do it and there are other times when it's not such a pleasure to write: when I'm feeling unwell, when there are 101 other things I need to be doing and times like these. We all have them! But for the majority of the time I love to write and can feel quite grumpy or out of sorts when I can't write. I enjoy most of the other things I'm doing and the scout sleep over was excellent, but it means I'm behind with NaNo!

So I find writing both a pleasure and a curse, particularly when writing ideas come at the most awkward moments and I can't write them down, ie, when I'm out and about or in the middle of the night when I'm trying to sleep and I have to get out of bed to write them down but I'm too tired and I know that if I don't write them down I'll forget them.

So how do you view your writing? Is it a pleasure or curse for you, or a bit of both? And what do you do to get your writing ball rolling when you're not in the mood?

Happy writing

Julie xx

NaNo - not just for November ......

2011-11-12T22:52:00.000Z

As a lot of you know I am once again partaking of the annual madness that is NaNoWrimo. From a bit of slow start due to me starting a new job which meant a reduction in my writing time, I am catching up at a satisfying rate. At the moment, if I carry in with my current word count per day, I will finish the 50,000 goal on 2nd of December! So I am close to the 50,000 word goal by November 30th and with a big push I'm sure I will get there on time.

There's a lot of controversy over writing like you have to for NaNo: no going back to edit until you've finished the 50,000 words, writing fast with no time to plan, plot or polish. It's a numbers game which puts quantity over quality and a lot of writers feel that by writing part of a novel in this way means you have one hell of a mess to sort out after. There are grammatical and spelling mistakes galore, dreadful plot mistakes and problems with continuation, the characters change names half way through and you don't have time to go back to chapter one to check the name of a character who's name you've forgotten by the time you want to give her an airing in chapter four!

But I have to say, no matter how flawed writing a NaNo novel may be, it's so toe curlingly (is that even a word?) addictive! I said to myself, after two years of doing NaNo that this year, I'd spend the time editing one of my previous NaNo novels. Did I? Did I heck. I decided, on a whim, with no previous experience or yearning to write in this genre, to attempt to write a crime novel. Now, I read lots of crime novels and watch a lot of crime programmes on the TV - more than is probably good and healthy for me if I'm honest, but I'd never considered writing one. That's what NaNo does to you - it opens your eyes to new possibilities. Some one I know has decided to use NaNo as an opportunity to write a 50,000 word pocket novel for either My Weekly or People's Friend I think it was and they have never done that before. I think that's admirable.

So, by the end of November I will have three NaNo novels waiting to be edited and polished. And in the rest or 2011 and into 2012 I will be doing just that. When you consider that pre-NaNo the thought to write a novel had not crossed my mind and here I am with almost three to play with. Funny how life turns out isn't it.

I just wanted to say good luck to all the other NaNos out there and I hope you're having great experience with it. Don't give up and don't worry that what your writing is a load of rubbish because it's supposed to be! I quite like fact that what I'm left with at the end of November is utter chaos - it'll give me something to do over the dark, cold winter months.

Keep going! And if you couldn't face doing the complete NaNo challenge this year then why not have a go at a smaller one of your own - do a short story over a weekend or 10,000 words a fortnight - whatever fits in to your schedule. NaNo is not just for November - use its philosophy to set your own target and enjoy the process of working towards it.

Keep writing

Julie xx

Getting Away With Murder ......

2011-11-05T22:07:00.001Z

No, I haven't killed an one - although I might be in the mood to kill something by the middle of November and I'm still NaNo-ing! What I'm referring to is my decision to steer away from writing NaNo novels in the older children/teenager age range, towards a more adult audience and the crime genre.

I know they say you should write what you know, but I assure you that I haven't committed a crime or murdered anyone, but I do read a lot of crime/thriller novels and crime related programmes like Waking The Dead, CSI, The Body Farm, DCI Banks, etc. So I thought I'd use NaNo as an opportunity to give writing a crime/thriller novel a go myself.

I'm excited as I had the idea for the crime novel before I started NaNo and had written down a fair whack of the plot and characters before hand. (I also came up with an idea for another crime/thriller novel at the same time!) This could be a new lease of writing for me.

I do fear, however, that I'm fast becoming a writer who doesn't finish their novel projects! But I am determined to get my other two NaNo novels polished. I am currently on draft two of both. My aim is, once I've got this year's NaNo over and done with, to go back to the first NaNo novel I did and get it finished. This way, I'll still have another novel to polish while the first is doing the rounds of agents and publishers - I won't be sitting down twiddling my thumbs (not that I get time to do that anyway!)

So what do you intend to do with your NaNo efforts? Are you writing it for fun? It has to be fun to write a NaNo novel - any novel, really, if you are to go the distance with it, or are you going to try and get it edited and published?

Happy NaNovember ;0)

Julie xx

Brace Yourselves - It Starts Today!

2011-11-01T08:00:00.001Z

So, how many words, on this the first day of NaNoWriMo, have you written? If you've on target you'll need to write approximately 1,666 words a day - sounds a lot, but it isn't once you get into the flow it's relatively easy to achieve - it's not impossible anyway; I know because I've done it twice already. One of the great gadgets on the NaNo site is a graph that shows you, daily, what your target is and how much you've actually written. I found this a great help.

I also find it better to split my word target into smaller chunks throughout the day, rather than do it all at once. And don't panic if you fall short a couple of times - you can catch up when you have more time to write. But don't get too far behind - the pressure might kill your creativity. It's important to keep writing whether you think you've got something good to write or not. I found that I ended up with two novels that were both in a tangle and took me ages to unravel at the end. In fact, I haven't managed to get them completely sorted yet! So I intend, this time, to make a few notes before I start and at the end of each writing session plot it on so I know where I'm going the next time I sit down to write it.

It's easy to be super enthusiastic and go off half cocked at the start of NaNo, but that drive can soon wane, particularly in the middle of the month, until you can see finishing line of November 30th. So I'd like all my fellow NaNos to, as we go along the NaNo journey, to give their tips for NaNo success and what they are finding difficult - whatever you want - whatever gets us all through!

Happy NaNo!

Julie xx

Winter Writerly Woes

2011-10-29T08:00:00.001+01:00

Nights are drawing in fast. The temperature is getting cooler by the day. The clocks go back tomorrow - oh yes, it's that time of year again. I can't believe that it'll be winter very soon. I don't know about anyone else but I always start to feel a little sad this time of year. It's nothing serious and I can't put my finger on why, but, thankfully, the feeling is only short lived, because as soon as winter starts proper, I start to feel better! I call them my Winter Writerly Woes.

It's not long til Christmas and New Year when the whole world seems to grind to a halt, including editors, so you know there's little point in sending pitches and you're not going to get any verdicts on your manuscripts that are already out there. It can be hard to keep writing over the winter when there is so much else to do (Christmas preparations - need I say more?) When it's dark by five o'clock and I'm shivering from the cold all I want to do is get in the warm, eat stodge and get into a warm bed and go to sleep! The last thing I feel like doing is getting my computer out and typing.

But type I must! And I will be, like a writer possessed, over the month of November, when I embark on NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month - Yes I am doing it again!) This will be my third year and I do recommend that you try it: particularly if you've got writer's block or you've been saying you've always wanted to write a novel but have never got round to it. Believe me - by the middle of November you will have recovered from writer's block!

So, when the snow and ice come and the dark nights make you lethargic and listless, put the light and the heating on - put a woolly jumper on and get writing - come on, you know they'll be nothing much worth watching on the telly so you might as well spend the time writing. Just think of the short stories, poems, novels and articles or plays you'll have written by the time the evenings are lighter for later again!

Come on. Lets banish these winter wobbles!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Imagine if writing didn't exist

2011-10-25T08:00:00.000+01:00

I was watching Stephen Fry's wonderful programme Planet Word last night and in it there was a nation of people who, historically, never wrote anything down. They remembered all the important things from their ancestry and passed it down, verbally, through generation to generation. They had fantastic memories as a result. I'd be no good living amongst them as if I don't write something down I'll easily forget it! It made for fascinating viewing.

Imagine, though, if writing didn't exist at all. How would we survive? The root of a good story is in the telling, so maybe our language skills would have become more advanced. The Vikings were brilliant story tellers, along with many groups of people - we have an inbuilt need to hear and tell stories. Even young children love to hear stories from an early age and we all know how good it is to read and write stories. It is an essential part of our culture and communication. So I found it hard, when watching the programme, to imagine a world without writing - how different we would be now.

One of the older members of this nation was keen to encourage the younger generations to learn to read and write - he didn't want them to be left behind in this ever changing world. And I guess he wanted to record their history, their legends, their stories so they can be preserved for future generations. And part of the reason we write must be that we want a piece of ourselves to survive to the next generation. We want to leave something of us behind in print. We want to tell our stories.

How happy I am that we do have the ability to read and write and enjoy our and other people's stories. But there are people who can't read or write and I think that this is really sad. I'm all for these special education programmes that help people to learn how to read and write. Having this skill opens so many doors and gives us so many opportunities.

So, even when the going gets tough with our writing and we're fed up with rejections or we can't find the right word or our sentences aren't coming alive on the page and our words aren't sparkling, at least we can read and write - and that's a gift worth having.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Thank you, Lynne!

2011-10-20T17:00:00.000+01:00

I was lucky enough to attend a wonderful workshop presented by Lynne Hackles last Saturday as part of the Wellington Town Council Literary Festival. In the morning we floated through the interesting subject of ghost writing and in the afternoon it was the turn of short stories. I've never considered ghost writing as I have enough trouble getting my own writing done, never mind anyone else's! But it was a fascinating insight into the world of the ghost writer.

it was the short story writing section that really helped me, though. My hit rate for short stories is relatively low still, even though I work hard to write the best stories I can and sub as many as I can. So I was hopeful that Lynne would give me some pointers on how I might improve them and she didn't disappoint. I'm much closer to having my own 'lightbulb' moment, where I figure out just what it is that pleases editors enough to make them say yes to publishing my short stories!

I had the good news a couple of days before the workshop that The Weekly News had accepted another of my stories, so I know that I can write the stories editors want sometimes. I just need to write them in the right way for the right editor at the right time more often. And Lynne's workshop gave me the motivation and encouragement to carry on trying to achieve just that.

So thank you Lynne!

I'd recommend that as a writer you get out to as many writers' workshops as you can as they are well worth the effort and you do learn so much great information and advice through them. Who knows - the next writing workshop you go to you might get your own 'lightbulb' moment!

Happy writing

Julie xx

What's Up Doc?

2011-10-12T08:00:00.001+01:00

You know what it's like when you've got a virus brewing: first comes the scratchy, tickly throat, the sore head, the chills followed by raging temperatures and a hacking cough. the sneezing and the runny nose - then, to top it all off you get the bone numbing fatigue. It's a similar feeling you get when you know one of your stories isn't working. It's that almost imperceptible shiver that fleetingly shoots down your spine when you're halfway through a story and find yourself running out of steam. The characters you once loved and couldn't stop raving about now leave you cold and itching to push them aside so you can start a new and exciting love affair with another character.

You develop an allergy to your characters and the plot seems to have deserted you as your story grinds to a flu induced halt. You can't see a resolution to a conflict through your watery, red eyes. The conflict you thought was exciting and original now seems well worn and feeble as it shuffles off to its bed in search of a lemsip and rest.

So how can you turn it around? Is there a wonder remedy that will have your story back on it's feet within the hour? Is there a medicine that will unblock the story's nose and allow it to take a deep breath and clear it's sinus's? There's no miracle cure - but taking the Dr's advice on beating the flu won't go amiss here either: plenty of rest is usually high on the list. Let your story rest so it has time to shake off the chills and recover from what ails it. Then, when it's feeling better (and you've had time to calm down and put some distance between yourself and your malaised story) you can sit down calmly and find the solution to your story's problems that you couldn't see for all the swelling, inflammation and horrible, clogging, cloying, sticky, germy secretions (yuck, yuck and treble yuck!)

Just as you would (reluctantly) rest with a bout of some nasty virus in order to let it take its course , you must rest your story to let it recover. I know it's frustrating to put your story away but it's for it's (and your) own good.

You really should listen to your doctor!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Speculate to accumulate

2011-10-08T08:00:00.001+01:00

As you know, I've been thinking about short stories a lot recently, in between pitching and writing articles. I'm doing better with the articles than the short stories but I love writing both as they each use different sides of my creativity and writing skills - which is no bad thing; it's good to flex different muscles.

One of the things I've been experimenting with is the use of a spidergram or mind-map to help me to plan my stories better in the hope they will be better stories. A side aspect to this is speculation: who, why, where, how and when. I've found that writing these as headings, and noting my thoughts under them, is helping me to get a better sense of what and who the stories I am writing are about.

There are so many possible avenues you can go down by thinking about these headings that you can quite often get a couple of stories out of the same idea, just by changing a few details: changing the view point - from a male to a female character, for instance, or moving the action to a different place, changing the age of the characters. I find it helpful to think along the lines of if character A did this and this, that would happen, but what if character A did that instead? something else would happen. It's good fun to play around with your characters and story like this as what was your original plan can turn out to be better if you tweek it into a totally different story.

If you speculate in this way you're more likely to stumble on something more original. I read somwhere once that if you're entering a writing competition with a theme that you should discard the first few ideas you come up with as it's likely most other writers wanting to enter the competition would think of those too. By chosing your third or fourth idea you are more likely to have a fresher angle and avoid a well worn theme.

So, when you're trying to come up with ideas for stories, stop and think about Who, why, when, how,and where and don't go for the first thing that enters your head. Let me know how you get on - I'm hoping it will spark some great stories.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Short Story Week Audio Book

2011-10-05T08:30:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post here to urge you to go on The National Short Story Week website. You may remember that I was invited to the launch of their new audio book a couple of months ago in London but I was unable to go. Well I'm very pleased to say that the audio book is now available to buy! If you are interested in the book, or want to see what's happening in the world of short stories then do visit their website as it's packed full of info.

Coming soon on this blog ........ an interview with the people who make Short Story Week happen.

Happy writing

Julie xx

That Elusive Sparkle

2011-10-04T08:00:00.001+01:00

I've read many books and magazine articles on writing short stories. I've also read and written a fair few short stories too. And the one enduring criticism that I've heard from the authors of these books/articles and from editors is that many of the stories they receive or read lack sparkle. They are missing that vital but elusive ingredient that makes them stand out from the rest, that makes them shine and resonate with readers.

We've all read stories that have have touched us in some way: made us laugh or cry or wonder why we didn't write it! But what was it about those stories, what elements had the author incorporated to make it connect with the reader? I haven't found it yet - well I have on a couple of occasions when my stories have been published, but if I were asked why I thought those stories were published but my others weren't, I'd be hard pushed to give you a definitive answer. I don't really know is the short answer and I'm sure, if you asked other short story writers out there the same question, they wouldn't always know either.

A story you have written might not feel like a publishable one to you but will be snapped up by an editor, yet stories you feel are sure winners are rejected! It does feel like a lottery sometimes and pot luck if your story gets published or not. I suppose, to a certain extent it is: one day an editor may have already accepted a story similar to yours and so yours gets rejected, but the next, a story you'd sent out months ago and given up hope for will suddenly appear in a magazine! You can never tell.

I'm hoping to find out more about that sparkle when Lynne Hackles comes to do a workshop at a local Literary Festival later this month (Wellington, Shropshire, on the 15th October,) so I'll let you know if it becomes any clearer for me!

What would you say that sparkle is?

Happy writing

Julie xx

Super shorts

2011-09-30T08:00:00.001+01:00

No, I'm not referring to the sudden change in the weather bringing people out in their legless trousers, but short stories. I heard the wonderful news over on Bring Back Fiction to Women's Mags on Face book that Women's Weekly are increasing their specials from 10 a year to 12 a year and they've issued updated guidelines - see face book page for details. This is excellent news and to be celebrated!

I have to say that I've been mostly concentrating on articles over the past few weeks, although I did send two short stories I'd had rejected and I'd rejigged off to other magazines, so we'll see what happens. Part of the secret to successful short story writing and getting your publication numbers up seems to be that the more you write the more you improve and the better your chances of publication are. I read somewhere that Della Galton once had something like 90 short stories published in one year - and she would have had many more rejected. This gives you some idea of the prolific writing she did to become so successful. So far, with only about three months left to the year, I haven't even written or subbed a quarter of that amount. And it's probably why I've only has a couple published this year, lol! I'd better get a wriggle on! How many have you written and subbed so far this year? And what are you going to do to try and increase your publication rate?

For me, getting my backside down in my chair and typing would be a good start. I have many, many ideas but need to get down to writing them up, subbing and editing them - it's all very well having ideas but if I don't write them they won't become publishable stories. So that's what I'm going to do.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Check and double check

2011-09-25T09:00:00.001+01:00

When I was new to this writing game there were a lot of things that I was not up to speed with. One of the matters I was very slow about was the fact that some magazines expect you to supply an invoice to them before they can pay you. I don't come from a very business or money minded family, so all this was alien to me. Even now, this week, I've had two reminders to send in invoices - tut,tut. It's a good job they did as I had forgotten about them. It's not good business sense to forget to request payment is it?!

But my brain just doesn't work in a logical, business manner. And although I can be super dooper organised when I need to be, I am a creative type, after all, and most of the time the money end of game flies out of the window and gets lost in the ether. I have to take myself in hand and reign the business part of my brain back in again.

So, what do you put in an invoice? Well they are common sense usually: Name, address, contact details, name of company the invoice is for, date of invoice, date/issue your work was published in and amount to be paid is usually sufficient as if you've been published by them before, they should have sent you a form to fill in re: your bank details, so they know which bank to send the cheque to.

You will need to keep copies of invoices sent for your accounts and to be able to fill in your tax return too. So it makes good business sense and practice to ensure your invoices are sent and recorded.

Don't forget now!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Writer's comfort

2011-09-21T16:03:00.000+01:00

We all have things, as people, that make us feel comfortable. Things that make life just that little bit better. As a writer, one of my main comforts is my office - well, it's a luxury really as I could manage without one, but I like to have all my writing stuff all in one place - it just makes my writing life that much easier.

Another of my comforts is being able to curl up on my sofa, two cats sitting at my feet with either a novel or one of the writing magazines I subscribe to. This afternoon, after I'd sent a couple of invoices and had re-edited and resubbed two rejected short stories, I treated myself to a cuppa and I sat on my sofa with the cats and read Writers' Forum. My article about NaNo was in it, so that was a nice surprise - we'll I knew it was pencilled in for November's issue, but I wasn't quite sure until I saw it in print with my own eyes!

I know of a lot of writers who don't read any of the major selling writing magazines: Writers' Forum, Writing Magazine or The New Writer. But for me, they were an essential part of my writing education when I first started out and they remain so today, even though I now have a bit of experience under my belt and my articles have appeared in all three of these magazines (something I never thought would happen!)

These magazines are crammed full of helpful advice and interesting insights into the world of writers and writing, so I cannot reccommend them enough. They certainly helped me! If you don't read any of them, I would suggest that you at least try one or two issues of each - you might be surprised at what you learn.

So far, this week, I've subbed two short stories that were previoiusly rejected but I've been feeling a little under the weather, nothing major, but enough to zap my strength a little, so I haven't done as much as I would have liked (why is it, as writers, that we are never satisfied with what we achieve?) But sitting down this afternoon perusing the pages of Writers' Forum has helped the healing process somewhat.

Happy writing, whatever you're writing!

Julie xx

What do You Know?

2011-09-16T14:42:00.000+01:00

I picked up the Autumn 2011 People's Friend Fiction Special today. I haven't subbed to People's Friend for a couple of years now. I gave up after many, many rejections . I know, I know, the general advice is to keep going and it's great advice that I generally follow. But in this case I couldn't bear to! But, I'm not one yo say never say never and I'm going to read through it and see if I can write something the editor might like. Part of me is telling me not to bother - I didn't get anywhere last time, so what's changed that makes me think I'll be able to do it now?

Nothing really, other than I've written a fair few stories since the last attempt at writing for them and I've has a couple published by other magazines. So I know I can do it. It's just a case of buckling down to it and subbing again. We'll see what happens. I can't state enough the importance of reading your chosen market over and over again, many different issues. Get a feel for the atmosphere and essence of the stories each magazine favours and then go away, think up some story ideas and write them, edit them and sub them. Chances are it will get rejected but there's always that smidgen of a chance it will be accepted. You just have do what I didn't do - keep going!

On the article writing front, I've been pitching to some new magazines that I haven't tried to pitch to before. So far one has come back with a no, but I live in hope! I have a lot more pitching left in me. I've had a mot more success with my article writing than I have with my fiction so I'm trying to expand on that by attempting to get published in new magazines. So it's just been a case of choosing the magazines I think I could write for, reading through them, jotting down my ideas, finding out how and who to pitch to and pitching away. I'll let you know how I get on.

Tomorrow morning I'm doing workshop on genre at my local writing group and I have some fun and games planned for that! No we won't be putting our hands into a tub of jelly or tub of cold tinned spaghetti like we did as part of my last workshop -but it should be fun nonetheless. I love doing workshops - especially when they kick start someone's imagination and motivates them.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Who do you think you are?

2011-09-14T10:11:00.000+01:00

I was watching some TV programme recently, I forget which, where someone said that if you want to be successful in your chosen field you should dress as the person you want to be not who you are now. The psychology being that if you look the part you'll feel the part and therefore be the part! So if you want to be a successful writer then you should act and look like a successful writer. And that's where the ship sinks.

What does a successful writer look like? Are they tall, short, wide, narrow, blond, brunette, old, young, dress in jeans and a sloppy sweater, wear tailored suits and have a manicure every week? Writers are as diverse as the colours in the rainbow so one size, or one defining description does not fit all. But I see where this person was coming from. I know I feel more confident and more professional if I dress smartly - I know I mean business. If, for instance, I'm going to interview someone, I always make an effort to look smart. I think it makes good business sense. And how we present ourselves can have a direct impact on how we are perceived as people and how people interact with us.

It's the same when we are writing. I find that if I'm being sloppy and slouching at my desk in my pyjamas or jeans and a t-shirt - I don't feel like I'm at work. In my mind, because I'm dressing down my mind-set follows and my work suffers. If I dress as though I was going out to work in an office, I immediately feel the click in my brain that signals I'm working. I did feel a bit daft when I first did it, slipping on my smart trousers and blouse just to go upstairs to my writing space where no-one was going to see me all day! But it works. You look smart and business-like therefore you are smart and business-like. It's interesting that on the days I dress smartly I get more writing done!

In your mind - what does a writer look like? If (when) you become a successful writer, how do you envisage yourself to look like? How will you behave/ What will you wear?

Happy writing

Julie xx

Give us a clue

2011-09-10T20:49:00.000+01:00

I was reading the new issue of Take A Break Fiction Feast the other day. Once I got over the disappointment that, yet again, several of my short stories that I had subbed to this magazine had been rejected, and I wasn't going to see one of my stories in there, I started to analyse it again. One thing that struck me this time was that if you look at the one or two sentence pop up text in the stories, usually in a bigger font size, you can find out a lot about the story before you read it.

Possible examples could include:

     'Jude was sure he'd get the big promotion this time, but who was trying to stop him?'
      'Mike wants to emigrate but will meeting his first love again make him change his plans?'
      'Carla promised James that she'd change, but will she?'
      'Will Anna ever get away from the life she hates to be with Joe?'

It then occurred to me that if I could create a 'pop-out' text for my own short stories, when I come up with a short story idea, it might help me to better plan out my story and help me to see what my conflict is and what the possible resolution might be. Trying to layout the crux of my story in this way, rather like the blurb on the back of a book, but a lot shorter, might help me to write better stories, ie, stories that I have thought about: are they real stories or just a sequence of events? Is the story an original idea with that special spark editors are looking for? Or could I tweak it to make it better?

Along with the mind mapping for my stories I started last week, I'm finding that this other technique of reading the pop-up texts and writing them for my own short stories is also helping me to get a better and much clearer picture of what my stories are about.

I haven't done much short story writing this week as I've been trying to get two assignments for the journalism course I'm doing finished. But I do have several short stories at various draft stages to get my teeth into in the coming few weeks. I'm taking it slower than usual and really taking the time to let my stories rest in between edits and allowing myself to think a lot more about what my stories are about and how I can improve them. It's been an interesting exercise and I'm hoping my stories and publication rate will improve as a result. It's not easy getting published but we have to give our stories a fighting chance by doing all we can to raise our own standards.

What are you doing to improve your chances of publication?

Happy writing

Julie xx

New school year, new way of thinking/writing

2011-09-07T06:00:00.001+01:00

The kids to go back to school for the new school year. Many of them will be moving on to a new school or even leaving to go to sixth form or college or take their first tentative steps into work. Some will be just starting out on their educational journey or moving up a year. The time just seems to have flown and it doesn't feel like it's been 7 weeks, but my diary says that it has!

Although I've enjoyed having my daughter at home and doing the many activities we've done (the most memorable being the scout camp - but that's a different story), I'll be glad to get back into the old school routine. So it's a new start for me too. I've been thinking a lot over the past few weeks about how I operate as a writer. I've been analysing how I write, when I write and trying to figure out what changes I can make to ensure that my writing life is more efficient and successful.

At the moment, short story wise, after another flurry of rejected short stories, alongside reading more short stories and reading about how to write short stories, I've decided to go back to basics and take a good hard look at my stories and why they just aren't quite hitting the mark. Rejections can be soul destroying. They can demotivate and lead to a severe loss of the imagination and a drought of impetus to carry on. But when you've had as many rejections as I have (probably in the 100s), you won't view them as a negative entity. They are an opportunity for growth as a writer.

I've gone right back down to the planning stage and I've started to mind map my short stories. I put a working title in the center of the page and put PROBLEM at the top and RESOLUTION at the bottom. I then mind map the story (putting any thoughts about the progression of the story into little clouds as I move around the page) until I've got the beginnings of a fully rounded short story that I can build on.

The funny thing is, though, since I've started doing this I've discovered some interesting things about the way I write and my stories: some of my 'stories' aren't, in fact, stories and are just sequences of events, some of them are weak stories where either the characters are too wishy- washy or their problem isn't worrying enough for them which means the story is missing that spark that editors want. A lot of my stories start out promisingly enough, but peter out in the middle to an unsatisfactory ending. And when I read other people's stories that are published, I can see that some of my stories just didn't have that elusive quality that they have.

Now, you would think with all those negative points that I would be shoving all my stories into the shredder and never be writing again. Well you'd be wrong. Far from being discouraged, because I know where my stories fall down, I now know what I need to work on to get them into the premier league of short stories - where I might see two of my stories in the same issue of a magazine - the 'holy grail' of the women's short story writer! Other writers manage it and so can we - if we are prepared to work hard, learn from those who do it on a regular basis and listen hard to what our own stories are telling us.

I also know that I've had short stories published before, so I must be doing something right some of the time (I just wish I knew what it was that I was doing right so that I could do it more of the time!) There are lots of reasons why short stories get rejected, of course: too long/short, on a similar theme to one the magazine has has just bought,etc, but sometimes it's just because our stories are rubbish and we have to accept that - but it's something we can work on and nothing to get disappointed about.

I'm also writing down tips on what makes a good, publishable, short story and here are some of my favourite:

1. Make sure your character(s) have a problem/conflict that they need to overcome/resolve.
2. The resolution must come from the main character - no knights in shining armour please.
3. Give your character(s) a plausible problem that they have to resolve - make sure it's something they would encounter in their everyday lives.
4. Make the setting familiar to the reader; supermarket, Dr's waiting room, office, shop, restaurant, etc, where they will have been themselves and can identify with.
5. Stay true to your character(s) in their actions, thoughts, dialogue, appearance - don't make an upper class judge speak like a rap star from the ghetto, (unless it serves a purpose to the story or it's for comedic effect.)
6. Give your character(s) a problem/conflict that many readers will identify with: relationship issues, work issues, learning, community issues, etc - this will make it easier for readers to identify and sympathise with your character's(s) concerns.
7. Pull the unusual from the usual - don't go with the first thought you have for a short story - chances are that you and a hundred other writers have had the same idea. So think outside of the box and attack it from a different angle to give your story that edge - originality.
8. Give a realistic and satisfying ending - too many stories don't have this and it lets the whole story down.

10. Most important is this - read the submission guidelines and the magazines you want to write for - not just the short stories, every page including adverts and reader letters; It's amazing what you can learn from them.

I now have eight of these mind maps so I'll busy over the next month expanding on them and shaping them into short stories I'll sub. So why not give the mind mapping a go yourself and see what it shows you about your writing. It could take you a step closer to publication.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Stop Reading and Get Writing

2011-08-31T09:00:00.001+01:00

I'm a sucker for books. From a small child I would sit for hours reading, getting lost in my own little world of the author's making. It was fabulous - and it still is! But, now I'm a writer I find myself torn between reading the books I love and getting my own writing done.

I'm particularly into books about how to write at the moment - and although almost all of them say that the best way to learn to write is to try it yourself , I find myself reaching for my book case every time I hit a snag in my own writing, or it's time to sit down and write! I think it's an elaborate form of procrastination. And one I must get over.

But, before I ban myself from reading when I'm supposed to be writing, no matter how tough the going gets, I wanted to point you in the direction of a book on writing I found at my local library.

Robert's Rules of Writing: 101 Unconventional Lessons Every Writer Needs to Know.
Author: Robert Masello.
F&W Publications. Inc. 2005
ISBN 1-58297-326-1

It's an American book jam packed full of interesting anecdotes and advice for writers. Chapters include: Don't Overinflate the Balloon, Take the Prozac, Pick Your Poison, Overcome Your Separation Anxiety, Strip Down to Your Briefs, Buy the Smoking Jacket, Pass the Scalpel, Gather ye Moonbeams, and Stop Reading, you know you're in for an intriguing and informative read. It's certainly helped me!

So, take Robert's advice and stop reading - not all together - I wouldn't be that cruel. Just stop reading things that are close to what you're writing while you're writing it, otherwise you might start to adopt the voice of the author you're reading and lose yours.Of course, reading other writers' stuff is essential for research purposes, but not so good if it prevents you from writing or puts you off your stride. He advises to read something totally different: fiction if you're writing non-fiction and vice versa. And don't use reading as an excuse to stop you from writing: that's one form of procrastination you, and I, can do without!

This week I've been editing a book for younger readers that I'm writing and I'll continue with that over he coming week. I've also been doing some research for an article I'm writing for a new market I haven't written for before which is exciting!

I Hope your coming writing weeks and those after are both productive and enjoyable.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Anyone Know What's Going on at That's Life, Australian mag?

2011-08-30T12:02:00.000+01:00

I've just sent for the current guidelines for fiction submissions to That's Life (Australia). Everything seemed pretty straight forward until I got to the near the bottom of the guidelines and read that they are not accepting e-mail submissions unless they've asked you specifically to submit by e-mail. Now, I've always submitted stories to them by e-mail! Is this a new thing, does anyone know?

It could be one of the reasons why I've had nothing published by them since the last two I had around a year ago. Maybe they automatically reject any subs coming in via email that they haven't asked for? Has anyone subbed to them via e-mail as usual and hasn't been told by them to sub that way and had a story accepted recently? It's going to cost a ruddy fortune to sub to them if we have to it via snail mail! It will stop me subbing to them at the moment if that's the case.

If you're interested, you can obtain their guidelines from fictionguidelines@pacificmags.com.au
They give an address for subs:

Anthony Lambert
That's Life! Fast Fiction Magazine,
Media City,
8 Central Avenue,
Eveleigh,
NSW 2015.

It's reminded me, though, always to check the guidelines again just before I sub - don't rely on 'old' guidelines. This is particularly important when there's been a change of editor! A new broom and sweeping comes to mind!

Let me know your thoughts/experiences

Julie xx

ATTENTION! Night Out in the company of writers opportunity!

2011-08-30T10:48:00.000+01:00

I've been invited to a book launch in London, and, regretfully, I can't go (has a tantrum on the floor!) So, I was wondering if any of my fellow bloggers would like to go in my place?

It's on the evening of Friday 23rd Sept 2011 in London E1 for the National Short Story Week audio book launch. You'd need to be available on that date and be able to get to the venue under your own steam.

Carole Matthews, Judy Astley, Katie Fford, and Sophie King, amongst others will be there too!

If you're interested, please let me know asap as I need to inform the organisers.

Julie xx

Make the most of it

2011-08-26T09:00:00.001+01:00

If you follow me on Facebook, you'll be aware that I've started to write within regular hours. I'd been getting rather lax in the amount of writing I was doing. This was due to a mixture of laziness on my part, a knocked confidence and the summer holidays with a six year old to entertain (there's something to be said about the school term - two weeks to go is all I'm saying ;0)

But, I've turned the corner and I am now working withing irregular - regular hours - if you get my meaning. It will all start to make sense in a moment, I promise. Because my poor husband (he's poor because he has to put up with me and my writing) works shifts that alternate between days and nights, I have to alternate my writing hours to fit in with him and looking after the kiddo.

I'm aiming to write for six hours a day when the poor husband is off, and 4 - 5 hours a day for five days a week when he's on nights or days. This will allow me to get a fair bit of writing and the associated admin (Facebook and blogging) done!

It's working so far. I shut myself up in my office and get writing. editing, emailing and I'm well away. I've achieved a lot more over the past few days then I have all of the summer hols! So I'm happy with that and intend to continue for a month's trial - will keep you posted on how I get on. The poor husband has even risen to the challenge (don't start Whaley!) and has thrown himself into his new role as my secretary by answering the phone to one of my potential interviewees this morning! He knocked on my office door and in the style of Parker from Thunder birds announced that I had a phone call! He's very good, bless him.

Got another short story rejected today, though - boo hiss!It's so going to be sent out again asap! Boomerang short stories - send 'em out, back they come rejected, throw 'em out again is my mantra now - If I can take my time, increase my output and send out new and improved stories, who knows what will happen!

Ever the realistic optimist me!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Happy writing

Lucky Mascot

2011-08-22T18:22:00.000+01:00

When I was doing my exams as a teenager (a long time ago I know), I had a lucky mascot while I was revising. It was a tiny teddy bear that I used to grip in the palm of my hand when I was trying to remember facts and figures, strategies and mathematical formula that I can no longer recall. I suppose most people have something like that. Something that gives us comfort in times of stress. Something we can hold on to, that gives us courage and hope.

It's the same now I'm writing. I have a collection of pebbles that are placed around my writing room. It may sound a bit daft but I feel that just having these stones near me helps to ground and calm me. They are various sizes and shapes and colours - all are beautiful to me. I collect them from beaches that I visit and they remind me of the sea I am obsessed with. I must admit that I don't get to the sea as often as I'd like. Living in the Midlands, probably the furthest away you can be from the sea in mainland Britain, means a good two hour journey at least. This might not sound a long time in the grand scheme of things, but it is when you're locked in a car with a six year old shouting, 'Are we there yet?' every five minutes for the entire journey - talk about a great form of torture!

When I hold the stones I can feel their strength and they remind me that although they are strong, time and the sea have eroded them down to the size they are now. They remind me that they are thousands of years old. Compared to them our human lives seem not so significant!They remind me that all things must change and nothing lasts for ever. On that thought, as a writer and human being, I must change and adapt and roll with the waves, just as the pebbles have before they were beached. Just as we must ride the waves with our writing. It's so easy to be knocked off our writing surf board as the rejection wave comes crashing down upon us. But the best thing to do, I find, is to climb straight back on and ride the next wave. It might be the one to carry you in to shore and writing success. It may be an unsettled time in the economic world, and magazines and other publications are feeling the pinch as much as any other industry - but if we can allow ourselves to go with it, and keep our eyes on where the writing opportunities are, rather than focusing on those we have lost we might do a lot better.

So, my advice for this week is to find your own lucky mascot and get writing. Try, try, try again and I hope you get the writing success that you are working so hard towards.

Happy writing

Julie xx

So much writing, so little time.

2011-08-17T06:00:00.003+01:00

I really could spend all day writing for months, years maybe, and still not get down to the bottom of my to-do list. I have half finished short stories strewn all over my office, ideas for countless more scribbled everywhere. I have article ideas coming out of my head faster than a rat up a drain pipe and my novels are languishing somewhere in the depths of my cupboard. My office is heaving with creativity. Yet, due to my butterfly mind and indecisiveness, I never quite know what to tackle first. If only I could get organised and stop flitting about so much, I might actually get along a lot further and better with my writing. I'm not doing too badly with getting my articles published but imagine what I could achieve if I was more organised and more blinkered in my approach - no more getting sidetracked! I wonder how many first draft short stories I would get down on paper in a month if I focused?

Time for a bit of re-organisation me thinks. I may be some time.

Happy writing

Julie xx

A fine example of self-publishing at its best

2011-08-13T13:56:00.001+01:00

I had a jaunt into Newport, Shropshire today. It's only about twenty minutes up the road from where I live and it has a book shop called The Book Nook. Now, I've never been to this book shop before, but the name intrigued me so I thought I'd better check it out. I also had another motive for going. Children's author Carole Anne Carr was going to be there at one of her many book signings.

Honestly, the woman's here there and everywhere! She does local shows, book shops and local schools - she never stops. She also is in her 70s and does it all herself: writing, editing, computer stuff to get it all ready for publication, marketing, selling - you name it she does it, with a little help from her grandson who designs and runs her website for her. She is a human dynamo! So, I decided that my family and I would pay her a surprise visit to see how her signing was going. It was wonderful to see her again.

We first met at a Wrekin Writer meeting a couple of years ago and I'd interviewed her for one of my Writing Magazine articles. She's since been a source of inspiration, motivation and friendship for me and her tenacity, determination and prolific writing never ceases to amaze me. She has self published several books now including First Wolf, Candledark and her latest Thin Time. I've been lucky enough to read all of them and they are all cracking reads. Do visit her blog and website.www.caroleannecarr.co.uk If you want to know anything about self publishing she's your woman. She's also great at giving you a kick up the bum when you need it!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Get it Right But, More Importantly, Just Get it.

2011-08-13T06:00:00.001+01:00

I was reading the September issue of Take A Break's Fiction Feast when something struck me. No, I wasn't physically hit by anything - it just occurred to me that even though I've read many, many short stories and written many, many short stories myself, I still haven't got a very good success rate with short story publications.

It's a different story with my articles, and that's something I'm very proud of. But in this current climate of the dwindling short story market it means that standards have gone up considerably and there is a lot more competition as writers fight for the same publication shots. With this knowledge spinning round my head, I had a wobble and I wasn't so sure that my writing could ever be good enough to compete.

I read the excellent stories in Fiction Feast, and the stories in the recent Weekly News and for a panic ridden moment I had convinced myself that I can't do it. There was no way I could write stories that are in the same league as those. Luckily that moment didn't last long as I pulled myself together sharpish and sat quietly for a while, thinking. Then the ideas began to pop into my head - ideas that I can work with to turn into short stories that will be every bit as good as the ones that I've read that I didn't think I could match!

It doesn't matter how many short stories you read, if you don't write them and practice writing them, you won't get published. At some point you have to stop reading short stories for a while and get on with writing them. You also have to stop being intimidated by the excellent quality of the short stories that are published. That is the standard that the editors expect and want, and so that is the standard that you are going to have to produce. It can be done and you can do it. Don't be put off: fear is a great cause of writer's block. You have to feel the fear, channel it, use it to your advantage and write your stories anyway.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Get A Grip!

2011-08-09T06:00:00.001+01:00

How do you go about your daily writing business? Do you have a grand master plan with every minute of your writing day meticulously accounted for down to the finest detail? Or do you have a more gung ho approach - you'll write something when the mood takes you? Maybe you're somewhere in between? You have the best of intentions, making an effort to plan but when it comes down to it all your best laid plans go out the window and you end up writing something, though not as much as you'd wanted.

I would argue that you need to make plans if you want to get anywhere with your writing, ie, be published. I must admit, though, that although I am a brilliant planner, I'm not so good at carrying it through! I chop and change my plans as I go along and I usually get some writing done somewhere along the way. But I know that if I stuck to my plans I'd get a whole lot more done.

What I'm trying to say is that if you are a writer who never plans, or one that does plan but does so half-heartedly and doesn't finish what you set out to do, then it's time for a change! I have a white board in my office that I use to write my writing plans for the month on, broken down into weekly tasks. Urgent things are written in red, not so urgent things are written in blue and more longer term goals, ie, the novels are written in green. It helps me to see the whole picture as to where I am in my writing - and the white board serves as a visual representation of where I want my writing to go. It also reminds me of how much I have achieved and it's a great feeling to wipe the things I've done off the board!

At the moment my board is clear as I decided it needed a revamp - I still had June's list up, LOL! But, tonight it will be back in business as will I. If I don't plan, even if I do play around with the plans, I get nothing done. So, for me, the white board is essential. You might prefer to keep a spreadsheet style plan on your computer, or print it out and keep it on your desk. You have to find a system hat works for you. If you don't keep an eye on your submissions and publications: what you want to do next, it's easy to get in a muddle and your output will suffer.

Happy organising and writing

Julie xx

Hummmmph!

2011-08-08T12:54:00.000+01:00

Three rejected short stories landed with a thud on my mat from Take A Break today. Hummmmmph! I haven't got a lot to say about the matter other than .......... back to the drawing board!

Time to up the ante me thinks. It's a tough old game, but the motto of the day has to be onwards and upwards.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Firsts

2011-08-06T06:00:00.000+01:00

I had some interesting news yesterday in that a short story I had entered into the NAWG competition has been commended. I was quite surprised but elated as because I hadn't heard anything until then, I'd assumed my story hadn't been chosen. It was the first time I'd entered this competition and the first time I'd written a story for older children. So, for me, to get anywhere at all is a bonus!

It made me think that maybe I should have a go at other writing projects I haven't tried before. I'm a fan of firsts now! We all remember the first time we tentatively put pen to paper to write our first piece. Then there's the first time we admit to ourselves that we are a writer, the first time we walked through the doors of our writers' group or a writing workshop, the first time we allowed others, apart from our family, to read our precious words, the first time we shakily read out our words to a group, the first time we approached an editor, the first time we submitted our work, the first (of many) rejections, the first acceptance, seeing our work in print for the first time. A writers' life is full of firsts!

So what's going to be your next first? Where are you going to take your writing? Somewhere it's never been before? Be a fan of firsts - you never know where it may take you.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Bring Back Fiction - the campaign continues

2011-08-03T19:07:00.000+01:00

Viv Hampshire's excellent article on the declining fiction slots in women's mags is in September's issue of Writing Magazine. It outlines both sides of the coin with opinions from editors who have kept fiction in and those who have either reduced it, stopped it completely, or are only taking submissions from authors they've published before or famous authors who have novels out. It makes for interesting if worrying reading. But it's also encouraging.

Even despite the dwindling market pushing up competition and standards it is still possible to get your short stories published - I've done it, as have countless other blogspotters. It has never been so important as it is now to follow the guidelines and come up with an original and sparkling short story that will outshine the rest of the submissions out there. Don't be mediocre or flat - give your stories some umph. Read what is currently being published out there and write to the same or higher standard.

The time is right for diversifying too. Countless businesses outside the realm of writing have had to: some farms have had to open tea rooms or put on children's activities, rather than just farm, some restaurants have had to be more inventive in their menus, pubs, etc, have had to serve food when they previously just served alcohol. Why should it be any different for writers? If you only write short stories, have a go at articles and vice-versa. It's sink or swim time - I'd take any life raft that's thrown to you.

The bar has been raised and writers have to jump higher to be published. This is not the time or place for half hearted attempts, poor grammar or complacency - you have to strive to be the best. It's a challenge, but one I'm happy to take on - care to join me?

Happy writing

Julie xx

Working Party

2011-08-01T06:00:00.002+01:00

Writing is said to be a lonely activity. We hide ourselves away, furiously tapping out our WIP, growling at anyone who should dare to interrupt us when we are in mid flow. But we do crave company sometimes (good news for our family and friends!). But what if we could combine our love of being alone, writing, with our need to get out more? Maybe we can. Have you ever thought of forming a working party? Could gathering some like-minded writers together on a regular basis to look at each other's WIP be the way to go for you? I wonder what the technical term for a group of writers is actually called, btw? All suggestions gratefully received!

I started something similar with some writers from my own writing group. It went well to start with and we met in each other's homes and occasionally at a local pub. It seems to have petered out now as we all have conflicting commitments and trying to get everyone who was interested in meeting together at the same time and place was a bit of a nightmare, if I'm honest. But I do miss it. I miss the discussions about writing and the support we all gave each other. It ended up with just two of us meeting, but even that is few and far between now - I'd love to start it all up again, but time and my own writing needs, as well as my family's needs make it difficult.

I also go out for coffee sometimes with two other writing friends. I look forward to that (as well as the scones) as we allow ourselves to talk about writing. It's such a gift. There has to be balance, though, between meeting up with writing friends, going on Facebook, Twitter and Blogspot and getting our own writing done. Tempting as it may be to socialise either virtually or in reality when you're struggling with your writing can spell disaster for your writing, unless you are seeking advice from your friends on your WIP and it doesn't degenerate into something irrelevant.

So do get out and about but don't use it as an excuse not to write and get your WIP finished. You know, deep down inside if you're doing it! You'll feel better if you get your writing done and then socialise - you'll at least have something to talk about then!

Happy writing and I recommend the scones in the Priory Tea shop in Much Wenlock!

Julie xx

Where are you?

2011-07-28T06:00:00.000+01:00

I'd like to ask all you womag writers out there to stop writing and think for a moment. Where are you with your short story writing? We have just nudged past the half way mark for this year now and while you're enjoying the sunshine, or enjoying wherever you are on your annual jollies, take a minute to consider whether you're on target with where you wanted to be with your short story writing, or not.

I know I'm still a long way off where I want to be, but I have made some serious inroads to get to where I want to be. I broke into the UK market this year and just to make sure it wasn't a fluke I got two short stories published in the same magazine in the UK! But I was hoping for more (aren't we all?) There are various reasons why I haven't achieved as much as I would have liked (and they are mostly, funnily enough, my own fault: I haven't written or subbed enough short stories, the stories I've written haven't quite hit the mark, there's more competition as the markets diminish, I have a life and responsibilities that take me away from writing, I can't just spend all day sitting on my bum typing (this is probably a good thing as I don't want my bum to get any bigger!)

When I ask you stop writing and take stock of your short story situation, I don't want you to dwell on the negatives, what you haven't achieved, and get depressed. I want you to concentrate on the positives, what you have done, and what you are happy about. There will always be competition out there - I know a lot of writers, both in blog land and in in the flesh who I count as friends, but lets not forget that they are chasing the same fiction slots as you and I am in the women's magazine - they are the competition, but that's not a negative point, as we aim to support each other and nurture each other's writing projects. We are happy for those writers who get a short story sale, who get a book published, whatever their success is. Well I am! I find that other writer's successes spurs me on to write more and to write better short stories. By reading the short stories that make it into publication we can improve our own.

So have a seat in your garden, or a park, when the weather's nice and raise a toast to your writing achievements and the achievements of other writers. Make a vow to turn the corner and have your own success in the future. Work hard, write hard, learn hard and submit hard and you will get closer to your writing goals. But don't forget to kick back occasionally, take stock of where you have come from in your writing and where you want to be and make firm plans to bridge the gap.

Happy writing and cheers to your future writing career!

Julie xx

Is a writer ever off duty?

2011-07-24T18:14:00.000+01:00

When I was a nurse I knew what my duty rota was. I knew exactly when I was due to work nights and when I was due to work days. I also knew when my days off were (yay!) Okay, so it was rare to finish my shifts on time, (you can't just walk away from a poorly patient) and there was constant pressure to give up my days off to cover shifts, but I always knew at some point I wouldn't be at work.

But for a writer it's different. As a writer can we ever be off duty? Ideas don't stick to a 9-5 pattern, or, indeed a shift pattern. Writers must always be alert to inspiration when it strikes - whatever time of day or night it may come. We must always be on the look out for a short story idea, a good topic for an article, or a line of conversation we hear that we can use as the basis of a poem. Writers have a certain amount of freedom in their occupation, unlike other jobs, but it can also be a shackle. If you have time to write but the muse doesn't show, you can waste a lot of time! The perfect time for a writer to write, varies from writer to writer, so any time the writer feels comfortable with is optimum.

It can be frustrating when we're woken up with a story line running through our heads, or we hear a line of dialogue while we're out shopping and we have nothing to write it on. It's happened to me more than once. But even though I am thinking about writing a lot, and I feel as though I'm never 'till closed', I still think that it's one of the best jobs in the world. We are allowed to lose ourselves in other people's worlds and fantasy worlds for a while and we sometimes get paid for it! How wonderful is that! We are paid for using our imaginations and story telling and telling other people's stories/writing about places, etc. We share our information and research with other people who are interested in the subject/story we have written about and what we have to say.

Remember, wherever you are, whatever you're doing there will be something you can turn into a story, poem, play or article. So happy writing and long may the inspiration keep flowing - you know you wouldn't want it any other way.

Julie xx

National Short Story Week

2011-07-20T10:51:00.000+01:00

I found out on Facebook that Radio 4 are planning to reduce their short story slots (there goes another one!) There was also a link to the National Short Story Week web site where there is an on-line petition and campaign to try and change Radio 4s mind. I went on the web site www.nationalshortstoryweek.org.uk and was amazed by the wealth of information and writing opportunities for short story writers on there including:

Listen to or read a selection of short stories.
List of magazines that publish short stories.
List of writers' groups.
Competition details.
How to write for radio by Ian Skillicorn.
And much, much more!

It's a wonderful resource for short story writers. And although we have some time to go before Short Story (Week November 7th - 13th 2011), have a look on the web site and join the campaign! There are ways writers can get involved with events during that week too.

Take a look, also, at my facebook page https://facebook.com/groups/savefictioninwomenmags too where we are discussing the diminishing short story market and campaigning to bring it back!

Happy writing - while we still have markets to write for ;0)

Julie xx

The writing taboo

2011-07-16T06:00:00.001+01:00

Every writer has a limit to their writing. There are subjects and lines they will not cross. For some writers that line is quite low, but for others there is little, if nothing they will not write about. Writers write about a lot of things and target a lot of different markets, the aim being to match their work to the right market. It's no good, for instance, writing a story with a high sexual content for People's Friend, or a gentle romance for a sexually explicit publication.

It takes all sorts to make the literary and publishing world go round and different people like reading different things. It's not a writers' job to be judge and jury and moralistic, (or is it?) but what would you never considering writing about? Where is your writing taboo line? Is every thing, every topic fair game? They say write about what you know but is what you know worth writing about? How do we judge what is appropriate to write about - can we judge? People write stories that offend some, yet delight others - it's all down to personal taste but, as a writer, how do you gauge what the reader wants? Research would be a good start, reading authors that have already been published in the genre you want to be. But writers are always pushing boundaries and taking risks, pushing the line - how far is too far?

Something to think about!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Don't Put it Off

2011-07-12T06:00:00.001+01:00

Procrastination. I do it (a lot). I'm doing it now. You do it. Everyone, at some stage in their lives, does it. There's no shame in it. We all need a rest from our writing and most of us have busy lives that often take priority over our writing. There's the cleaning, cooking, day job, children, pets, elderly relatives, doctors appointments and dental appointments etc - there's no getting round these. But then there's the Internet: e-mails, blogging, twittering or tweeting or whatever you call it, social networking, browsing Amazon, browsing anything at all that doesn't have anything remotely to do with writing. And by the time we've done all of this, where is the time to write?

I'm guilty as charged when it comes to procrastination and here are the main reasons I, and a guess a lot of other writers, do it:

1. We are afraid to start writing as we think we can't do it and our efforts will be complete and utter rubbish. (Thinking like this is complete and utter rubbish!)
2. We con ourselves that watching the CSI series on DVD is good idea. (It may well be so once in a while as it's a cracking series, but not if you do it every day!)
3. Everyone says that networking is important for our writing careers so we are doing ourselves good by spending lots of time on-line. (But you can get too much of a good thing!)
4. We'd much rather clean out the fridge, clean the oven, de-fluff the tumble drier, than write. (These jobs need doing but delegating some of them to other people so you don't end up doing all of them is a good idea.)
5. We have lots of projects on the go and can't decide which to finish first so we help ourselves decide by sitting down in front of the TV with a cuppa and some chocolate - we will decide later! (Just pick one, look at it and start working on it - it's the only way. The sooner you make a start, the better. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Pick straws or toss a coin if you have to!)
6.By not writing but actually thinking about it as we are doing other things, we help the creative process and allow the information to stew in our brains to come up with that perfect ending, or help us to become unstuck on a seemingly sticky plot. (But it's not a good idea to think too much - you have to write something at some point!)

So, switch off the Internet, step away from the chocolate, ignore the state of the fridge, get your bum on the seat and write something. Anything. No matter how rubbish you think it will be. You can work on rubbish but you can't work on nothing.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Think Happy, Be Happy ......

2011-07-08T06:00:00.001+01:00

I've been thinking a lot recently about the things that affect the quality and quantity of my writing. It's no surprise to learn that when I'm happy I write better. When I'm feeling low, for whatever reason, my confidence in my writing ability also dips which then has an effect on my writing output. Luckily, I don't feel low very often and I am aware of when I am and how it affects my writing and I can do something about it.

It's worth looking at what affects your own writing. I know lack of time is a biggie for most of us and another one is too many other commitments, but if you can pin down what's going on in your life and your head when you're writing well and when you're writing not so well, it can help you to plan your writing time better. You can also make allowances for when you know you're not going to be able to write, or be in the mood to write, although I do advocate that you should write if you have the time even if you don't feel like it. I've had a few short stories written when I didn't feel like writing - it certainly lifted my mood!

A happy writer = happy writing

Julie xx

Good days/bad days

2011-07-04T06:00:00.001+01:00

Writing is very much like a roller coaster. I'm not a fan of fairground rides such as these as they make me dizzy and nauseous. Writing doesn't make me dizzy and nauseous, but it does tend to go up and down and spin me around. The hard work, the feeling of being unsure, the sending work out, the rejection, more hard work, the feeling of being unsure, the sending more work out, the acceptance ........ and so on and so on. One minute you're on top of the world, the next you're teetering over the edge wondering why you bother to write at all!

It's an unsettling and unsettled business this writing game and not for those who are easily spooked. We all have a good days and we all have our bad days. The trick is to not see your writing life as negative. The downs will come but you have to retrain your brain to view them in a different, more positive light. That way, they won't hurt so much.

It's great when we have lots of acceptances and the trick to coping with rejections, or days when my writing is not going as well as I'd hoped it would, I find, is to just continue writing, even if you think what you are writing is rubbish. It invariably will be. But you can improve on a page full of rubbish. You can't improve on nothing.

I really didn't feel like writing today. I just wasn't in the mood. But I got my laptop out anyway. It wouldn't hurt just to get that out after all - no harm in it. Even though my brain was shrieking, "I don't know what to write about. I don't want to write. It'll be terrible. You'll regret it! Wait until you're in the mood, wait until you get an idea." I stuck to my guns and just got on with it. And what do you know? I got a 1000 word story out of it. Admittedly, it needs a lot of work doing to it. But I'm 1000 words closer to having a short story subbed and possibly published than I was this morning!

It's worth just giving it a go even when you're adamant it won't do any good! Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Happy writing!

PS: Has anyone had anything published or accepted recently - we need your good news! It keeps us all going.

Forward Motion

2011-07-02T06:00:00.001+01:00

The best writing is fluid. It flows effortlessly from your pen or appears on your screen as if by magic. There's nothing more satisfying than being in your own personal writing zone where your whole being is fully engaged in the writing process and all of your senses have been deployed. It's a magical and exciting experience - and it's a shame it doesn't happen more often.

I can lose myself for hours in my writing sometimes, so much so that when I come out of my writing space I become a little disorientated. I've been so immersed in the lives and problems of my characters that it takes me a moment to come back to reality. I love it when that happens, when the characters have become so real to me that I can get to the heart of them. My husband knows when I've hit this stage as when he asks me a question he either gets no response or a gurgle that signifies I'm not really listening! He's a very patient and understanding man!

When you're in your writing zone, be very thankful and enjoy it. Don't waste it. Let your characters in and they might surprise you but they won't let you down.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Sense and sensibility

2011-06-30T06:00:00.001+01:00

We writers tend to be sensitive little souls. The slightest thing can send us out of kilter and we either stomp around sulking or retreat into ourselves to brood. There are many reasons why our writing might not go the way we planned: someone else got a similar pitch to ours into a magazine first, we open the pages of a magazine to see a short story similar in theme to the one we've just submitted, we've received our third rejection in one day. It's so easy to become despondent and let that negativity eat away at us, rendering us unable to write another word. But where is the sense in that? What good does it do us or our potential commissions?

A critic might say what you feel are harsh words about your latest book, or you might get a less than flattering letter from a reader published in a magazine about an article that was published of yours. The world is full of bitterness and cynics and people who think they could do better than you if they only had the time. It's also hard to see articles or short stories you could have written published in magazines by someone else. But instead of letting it get to you and stop you from functioning, I'd advise you to let it go and move on. There's no point in doing a post mortem or grieving for your loss. Vowing to get there quicker next time or to write a better article or more original short story next time is better therapy.

At least, if the magazine has published an article written by another author that you also had thought of, you know you are on the right track! As my late father- in- law used to say, "'Don't let the Bu****s grind you down!"'

It's not what you know......

2011-06-28T06:00:00.001+01:00

Writing, it is said, is a solitary activity. Writers spend hours cooped up in their writing spaces, hunched over their computers, diligently typing away at their latest Work In Process. It's no wonder we are all more than a little eccentric! But hiding ourselves away in our turrets, although great for our word count, isn't brilliant for our social lives (or waistlines.)

It's important that writers get out and about - and not only for the sake of their sanity and double chin. A fellow writer, friend and Wrekin Writer (who doesn't have a double chin, I hasten to add) mentioned recently that he'd gone down to see an author who was doing a talk/book signing at his local bookshop. He ended up going for lunch and having a good old chin-wag with this author! What an excellent networking opportunity.

And that's what it's all about. You can know a lot about writing, have considerable talent in that area but if you don't get out and about and tell people about your writing or meet with fellow writers who may have contacts in the publishing world, then your work might never get the advertising it needs. It may sound two faced to seek out the company of other writers just to get to their contact! But that's not what networking is about. It's about getting your name and work known - of course it is - but it's also about nurturing friendships that will last you through the ups and downs of the publishing process. And those friendships are priceless, and are not found easily, so hold on to them when you've found them.

So get yourself out there and networking to your heart's content. You never know where it might lead!

Julie xx

Z is for ..... Zenith

2011-06-26T06:00:00.001+01:00

The dictionary definition of Zenith is: the highest point. Which is quite appropriate as this is the last of my A-Z postings. I can't believe that 26 days ago, I embarked on this mammoth, and some may say, crazy task. But we got there together!

What I want to leave you with is this question: What has been your zenith so far in your writing career? What has been your highest point? For me it was getting a short story in a UK magazine. When you've had a think about your Zenith, think some more about what would be the zenith in your future writing career? What do you aspire to? How far are you from attaining this and what do you need to do to get there?

Everyone has dreams. Some of these we know will never be fulfilled. I'm never going to marry George Clooney, but a girl can dream ;0) But there are dreams that we can make reality if we work hard enough, learn and adapt. We can become queen of the women's mags short stories. We can make it into the top ten best seller book list. We can get our own column in a magazine. We can do anything we set our mind to if we believe that we can. Other writers have done it and so can we. It might take a long time, a lot of work, a lot of talent and a lot of rejection, but the only way we will fail is if we stop writing.

So have fun reaching your zenith!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Y is for Yellow Belly

2011-06-25T06:00:00.001+01:00

I'm not the bravest of people. There are a lot of things out there that freak me out - wasps being the main culprits. I couldn't believe it when the housing officer told me they'd had a wasps' nest removed from the roof space of my dad's bungalow that housed approx 700 wasps! Yikes! If I'd have known that my dad wouldn't have seen me for dust. The mere thought that I had been sitting drinking coffee, dunking my biscuits with 700 wasps living just above my head makes my blood run cold!

Different people are scared of different things, and everyone is scared of something, whether they admit it or not. For some of us, it's the big stuff: dying, becoming incapacitated through a dreadful illness, losing our marbles. But, for others, it's the small stuff, like spiders, insects, and flying. Most of us can overcome our fears and although we are still afraid, we learn to live with that fear and not let it overtake our life. For instance, I can tolerate wasps up to a certain extent and I don't let my fear of them stop me going out of the house between May and October! That would be plain silly.

It's the same with writing. I held off from submitting any of my work to editors for a long time when I first started writing - too long! And it was the encouragement from a fellow writer that pushed me into making that final step. The thought that someone, other than my husband and closest friends would actually like my work and want to publish anything I'd written was totally alien to me and prevented me from having the courage to do it. I was a real yellow belly, a cowardly custard. It takes a lot to send your work out there but send it out you must.

Even now, I squirm sometimes and I'm reluctant to approach editors or send them my work. I have no idea why. Some of those first time nerves have stayed with me I guess. And they'll always be there lurking, ready to throw me off balance, crouching, ready to do a ninja attack on my confidence. The only way to beat them is to send that work off anyway and gloat in their faces when you get something published - they hate that! It's worth it then to see your fears scuttle off under the rock from whence they came!

Paint your belly another colour - the hue of courage, and send your work out there.
Happy writing

Julie xx

X is for .........X-ray vision

2011-06-24T06:00:00.001+01:00

I want to be a super hero. Not just so I could dress up in a lovely costume and make believe that I could save the world, it would have a lot more uses than that. If you were a super hero, what special powers would you have? Would you heal the sick? Would you be able to fly? Would you be able to produce and throw fire balls from your hands? For me, I'd have to have X-ray vision and be able to read minds.

Think about it. If you had X-ray vision you could look through editor's walls and see how far along the process your manuscript was. And if you could mind read you could find out exactly what the editor wants and give it to them perfectly presented on a plate! How great would that be? To know exactly what an editor wants to publish - it would save a lot of heartache and solve a lot of problems.

Ahh. But for now, as having these super powers is impossible, we shall just have to rely on our own market research and reading the magazines to see what the editor does publish. It's very hit and miss as we can't ever really know what goes on inside an editor's head - but if the hits outweigh the misses then you're on to a winner!

Mind you, I'd quite like to have the fireball thing going on to - it could come in handy if someone annoyed me!

Happy writing

Julie xx

W is for .......... Will it Happen? And if it Does, When?

2011-06-23T06:00:00.001+01:00

Writers are not a patient lot, generally. The moment we ping off a submission via e-mail we are there, hunched over our computers, nervously tapping our fingers on the desk, waiting for the reply. And we wait ...... and we wait....... and we wait. Then we wait some more. If your sensible, while you're waiting for the verdict on your latest manuscript you will take your mind off the wait by getting stuck in to another piece of work. It's terribly frustrating waiting for news of your submissions so the more you can do to distract yourself and have something else ready if, God forbid, your manuscript is returned unwanted, the better.
It took me 40 short stories before I got one of the ruddy things accepted, so I wasn't an overnight success. And now in my third year of writing short stories, I've still only had four published. But they've been published - I didn't think it would ever happen. I've fared better with my articles. It can be soul destroying when the rejections start rolling in, though. I don't think anything prepares you for them. And with each rejection you get a bit more of your resolve and self confidence chipped away until you begin to wonder if all the effort you are putting into it is worth it.

It is worth it. Well I'm still here and still writing and sending out manuscripts: that makes me either mad or dedicated - there are some days when I'm not sure which it is! No-one can tell you if or when it will happen - when you will get published and when you'll get published again after that. The only way you'll find out is to keep writing and keep subbing. As far as I can tell there is no logic to it. You can get twenty rejections and then, suddenly, out of the blue, two acceptances.

So keep writing and subbing - your next submission could be the one.

Julie xx

V is for ............ Versatility and verility

2011-06-22T06:00:00.001+01:00

In the current economic climate, where magazines are going under and everyone's feeling the financial squeeze, writers must adapt to these restrictions and make like a waffle and be 'waffley' versatile (do you remember that advert?!) Expanding your writing repertoire might be the difference between publication and rejection and the only thing that stops your writing business from going under.

When you're feeling a little low about the state of the publishing world in general due to the cuts then remember this: the world will always need writers and why shouldn't you be one of those who makes it through this troubling period? All you need to do is look for markets you haven't considered before and keep pitching. Magazines will always need content, and it can't always be written in-house. You have unique skills and experiences that the in-house writer might not have, making you the ideal person to pitch and write that article. Your short story will be unique because you are. So get it written and get it sent out there. As a fellow Wrekin Writer said to me today when I whinged to him: he said the only way you'll know if your writing or idea appeals to an editor is to pitch it to them - simples really when you think about it! Thank you.

Virility, no I'm not referring to you know what, how's yer father here. I'm asking you to consider how virile is your writing? Does it make editors stand to attention and take notice? Or does it leave them feeling deflated? To keep your writing fresh and relevant and enticing to editors you have to breathe new life into it. It goes hand in hand with versatility. If you can't adapt and keep going with your writing, you may find yourself the victim of the survival of the fittest theory. So keep adapting and keep your writing up!

Happy writing

Julie xx

U is for ....... Unicycle, Unimpressed and Under the Radar

2011-06-21T06:00:00.001+01:00

No, I haven't gone mad, I promise you. But what could unicycles possibly have to do with writing? I hear you ask. Well, it's all a question of balance. When you first start out trying to learn how to ride a unicycle you are naturally going to be a little unsteady. You may well fall off a few times. But once you've practised a bit you'll get steadier and steadier until you're bombing around without a care in the world.

It's the same with writing. You start off a little unsure, a little unsteady. You wobble a bit, deciding whether to write and send the piece off. But once you've written a few things and sent some off and had something published, you gain more confidence, and so you keep going. You may well fall off here and there, but you get back on that writing unicycle and you keep trying to gain your balance. So have fun with your writing and if you fail, don't be afraid to hop right back on and keep practising.

I've realised, since turning 40, how more unimpressed I've become with things in general! I'm a very tolerant person and easy going, but if pushed to far or if people try and take advantage of me,to their shock, they soon find out my displeasure! It's the same with writing. If something isn't working in your writing, or if you're unimpressed by how editors are treating you then instead of moaning about it and letting it fester, I'm a true believer in making your feelings known.

If you're not getting responses from editors, then don't be afraid to ask them why. If you've had a manuscript under consideration for a long time - longer than they say they take to read manuscripts, then you are quite within your rights to contact them to find out what the delay is. If an editor of a magazine has accepted your work but you've seen no payment or even a hint of a publication date, then you should contact that editor and ask them about it. In writing, if you don't ask you don't get! Remember that you are a business and if you are business like and professional with editors, they will extend that behaviour back to you.

Ever feel as though you're not getting to where you want your writing to be? Ever think that every e-mail pitch you send is just pinging into the great in-box of the ether? I've been feeling a bit like I'm moving just under the radar of editors recently. There's something in my short stories that's just not hitting the mark, not showing up on the editor's radar. This negativity can lead a writer to a very bad place - you start to wonder why you're even trying when all you get is no answer or a no all the time. Well the remedy to this is to keep trying. Keep reading the magazines you want to pitch for. Keep honing your pitching skills and sending the pitches out there. I had a pitch turned down recently as the editor had just accepted an idea along similar lines to my idea - no-body's fault, it happens. But at least I know that my idea was right for that magazine but someone just happened to get there first with it - better luck next time!

Get yourself on the radar!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Tantrums, Twists and Technology

2011-06-20T06:00:00.001+01:00

Toddler tantrums can be scary - the full force of a tantruming toddler is hard to contain but if you're still having tantrums in adulthood - it's not a good look! But with the frustrations and endless waiting, the no thank yous, the maybes that turn into no thank yous after a long, long period of waiting, you would be forgiven for throwing your dummy out of the pram! This writing lark would try the patience of a saint!

But instead of throwing your rejected manuscript on the floor and then stamping on it before throwing yourself on top of it, beating the floor with your fists and screaming like a banshee (or is that just me who does that? ;0) ) That smiley looks like it's got a double chin! Anyway where was I? Oh yes, before you regress to your child hood and let rip, use that energy in a more constructive and positive way and harness it to improve your writing so that you get a hit next time. There's nothing sweeter than having a previously rejected piece of work accepted by another editor!

Twists. They are brilliant if done well, but a bit of a turkey if mishandled. The twist should not be contrived or come out of thin air. There must be subtle clues left for the reader throughout the story. This is not an easy thing to achieve and I take my hat off to those writers who not only manage to to it but do it well. But practice makes perfect! So practice we will!

I often wonder what it was like for writers pre- type writers and computers. We don't know we are born today with all the marvellous time and effort saving devices we modern day writers have at our disposal. I can't imagine peering through candle light over a table with a quill and paper in my hand. What happened if you made a mistake? No delete button or tippex then! So embrace what the world of technology has to offer you and recognise and respect the really hard work those early writers had to do!

Happy writing

Julie xx

S is for ............ Schedule, Statistics and shoulder to cry on

2011-06-19T23:03:00.001+01:00

Do you write to a schedule, or just as and when the mood/circumstances take you? Most writers have other commitments that prevent them from writing. This can be annoying when you've got a story burning a hole in your brain and you can't write it down because you're in the middle of Tescos or knee deep in nappy changing! If you write in an ad hoc way it can mean your writing becomes disjointed. If you're only committed to writing once in blue moon, then you're not giving your writing the best chance you can. The key is to write regularly: whether it's 500 words a day or 3000 or more - it doesn't matter. What does matter is that you write regularly to keep that writing muscle supple and strong. Schedule some writing time into your day and you'll soon see the results.

What are the odds? I wonder what the probability of getting your short story published is? It would be interesting to find out what percentage of short stories that magazines receive are actually published. I think it might make for frightening reading! But the only way to beat the statistics and be the one in 100 or whatever stories that make it through is it write and sub them.

If you get a rejection you know where you can come for a shoulder to cry on. Your blogger friends are always here to chivvy you up and get you back on the writing road. A rejection, although disappointing, is not the end of the world - we shall overcome! So don't hold it in - let it all out - you'll feel better for it! I don't know what I'd do sometimes without the support I get from here and from my writing group. No writer is an island.

Happy writing!

Julie xx

R is for ..... Reduce Rejection and Rate your own writing

2011-06-18T06:00:00.001+01:00

Rejection. I'm not going to bang on about it. You all know my feelings on it as I've gone on about it many times before! A lot of writers see it as a negative issue and I can understand that. I've been there many, many times. You've done your very best, toiled and sweat blood over your precious work. You've sent it to an editor/publisher/agent, your heart full of expectation and excitement that this time you must have cracked it - only to have that rejection ping in your in-box or drop on your mat. It is disheartening and upsetting. I know I've felt that there is no point in carrying on writing as what's the point when all you get is rejections?

Stop right there! Rejection is a normal part of the writing process. You can't eliminate the risk of rejection completely but you can reduce it by doing thorough market research and learning as much as you can about the craft by reading, and practising your writing. Rejection is absolutely nothing to worry about. Turn it into positive: it's not a rejection, it's a re marketing opportunity. Enough said.

If you don't believe in your ability to write good stuff then no-one else will. So rate your own work - learn to love it and don't be afraid to try writing something new. It's hard to love what you write but if you do it will show through in your writing and your writing will be better for it.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Q is for ........ Questions, Queen and queues

2011-06-17T06:00:00.001+01:00

A fiction writer, well any writer for that matter needs to ask lots of questions. We are an inquisitive bunch, or should be. It's the only way we can find out what our story, article, novel, play or poem is about. We ask questions as part of our research, when we are interviewing people, and we question our plots, characters, settings and dialogue. If something isn't working in a piece of our writing we can ask questions to get ourselves unstuck. So ask lots of questions - it pays in writing to be nosy!

Queen! No, I don't mean The Queen, or Queen the rock band. I am referring to The Queen of Short Story writing in women's magazines. Actually, there are several of them: Teresa Ashby and Della Galton to mention just two of them. They have their short stories in the Women's magazines time after time after time. Now, it can be disheartening to see the same names in the women's magazines all the time. But I think it's encouraging. They had to start from nowhere, just like you and me. And it's only through hard work, determination and talent that they have such a high publication rate. We can learn a lot from them. Keep writing and subbing and you will get there, if you are prepared to work hard and learn the craft. Remember even they get rejections so don't be put off!

Queues - we spend a lot of our time standing in them and waiting. It's the same when you're standing in the waiting for a verdict from an editor queue too. It's frustrating but necessary! There's no way round it - you have to wait, sometimes for several months. But remember, good things come to those who wait!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Bring Back Fiction in Women's Magazines Update!

2011-06-16T19:33:00.000+01:00

Well the group that I set up on Facebook is well and truly up and running and gaining new members by the second! We've messed around with the settings and it's an open group so anyone can request to join if they wish. If you write short stories for the women's mag's market or enjoy reading them (maybe you do both!) then come and join the campaign to encourage magazine editors who have or are considering dropping their fiction slots to reinstate them or keep them!

A lot of folk are going on the magazine's websites to comment on fiction so if you're willing or able to do this then please do! Your comments can make a big difference. I'll be writing letters to the magazine's letters pages to request a rethink on the fiction front too -so do join me on that too. If we don't campaign for it we might lose even more markets!

You can comment on some of the mags content on face book or on the links below
www.takeabreak.co.uk

www.goodtoknow.co.uk/magazines/woman

Happy commenting! We might not be able to comment much on Blogspot but we can elsewhere!

Julie xx

P is for ........ Pull Your Finger Out, Posteria, and Staying Positive

2011-06-16T06:00:00.001+01:00

I could do with following my own advice today. I have been rather lazy on the writing front. Other things have got in the way today - it happens sometimes (frequently!) but today has been particularly slow on the writing front. What I really need to do is Pull My Finger Out. The short stories won't magically scribble themselves. And hearing that Helen Hunt has written one new story and edited and subbed a couple of others has put me to shame!

The only way to get any writing done is to Pull Your Finger Out and get on with it! No excuses. If you make the decision not to write, as I have done today, you won't have anything to sub and you will only have yourself to blame. That said, I have suitably chastised myself and will be Pulling My Finger Out tonight.

Bottoms. I have to say mine has become a bit broader since I started writing. It's all that sitting down and writing we writers have to do, you see. It has to take it's toll somewhere and, for me, that somewhere is my posterior. You could call it an occupational hazard. The more time you spend sitting on your posterior, the bigger it gets. And you have to spend a lot of time sitting on your posterior, writing, if you want to be published.

My advice here, is to remember that when your bum is in your chair unless you spend sometime out of your chair, you'll end up with writers' bum. So instead of sitting down on your posterior to write, I implore you to get off your bum, get out there and do some research. Go for a walk, do zumba, tie yourself in knots doing yoga, or whatever else you do to make you sweat ;0) My personal favourite at the moment are exercise DVDs I can do at home. Your bum will thank you for it.

Mmmmm difficult this one, staying positive, when you've had umpteen short stories rejected and no editors will take or accept your article proposals. But staying positive is what you must do! Grin and bear it. If you get down about it you're not helping anyone, let alone yourself. Once you get into that negative spiral, it's very hard to dig yourself out of that mindset. It's so easy to get into the rut where you think it's not worth writing anything because everything you submit gets rejected. But don't fall into that rut in the first place. Keep yourself on the wheel and keep writing and subbing. You will break through eventually.

Happy writing!

Julie xx

O is for ........................Opinion

2011-06-15T06:00:00.001+01:00

Is writing subjective? Well, yes it is to a certain extent. One person's idea of what constitutes good writing isn't necessarily someone else's. A short story you sumbit to one editor might be returned to you, rejected for many reasons: wrong length, wrong characters, wrong theme for the particular magazine issues they are thinking about. But it might be just right for another editor. This has happened to me twice: a story has been rejected by one magazine only to be accepted a couple of months later by another magazine's editor. And in the second case the story was rejected by an editor but when that editor left, I sent it in again to the new editor and it was accepted!

It's all a matter of opinion! So don't be disheartened if an editor rejects your short story. Revamp it and send it out to other magazines until you've exhausted all your options (which the rate short story markets are disappearing won't take you very long ;0). Don't judge the standard of your writing on one person's opinion as although your story might be unsuitable for that one editor, it might be perfect for another editor. Don't give up!

Happy writing

Julie xx

N is for Nab it while you can, Narrative and going Native

2011-06-14T06:00:00.000+01:00

Opportunity. That's what I'm talking about when I say Nab it while you can! Opportunities can be: Inspiration - seek it whenever and wherever you can and you shall find it. And don't forget to write it down as soon as you get it or you will forget it!
Writing time - never, ever, ever, miss an opportunity to write. If you have some time floating about, bag it and get on with it.
New Markets - always be on the look out for other writing outlets. There is always a new opportunity somewhere!
Rejection - Turn it into a re marketing opportunity. How can you edit your rejected piece to fit another market?

Opportunity should never be wasted. We all have choices to make in life as to how we spend our day and if you struggle for writing time or to be published then it may be helpful to rejig your time and commitments so that you can free up more time for your writing. Impossible! I hear you cry. But if you want to be a published writer you might have to!

Narrative. What's your story? Where do you want to take your reader to in your story? Is there a big difference in the destination where you have envisaged your reader to end up and where they actually end up? Sometimes, the narrative we have in our head as a writer doesn't translate to paper very well and when we read what we have written back to ourselves we can't see what the problem is. This is because we are too close to our story and we interpret what we have written differently from other readers as our narrative is still playing in our heads as we read what we've written. So we add bits and see bits on the page that aren't there! Think about your narrative and where you want to take the reader. Does your story do on paper what you think it does in your head?

Going Native. When in Rome ..... as they say, do what the Romans do. So if you've set your story in France, Belgium, India - wherever, immerse yourself in that culture (over the Internet will do) so that you know what the Romans, French, Belgium people, Indians do which will give your story some authenticity and believability.

Happy writing

Julie xx

M is for Moving on

2011-06-13T06:00:00.003+01:00

So, you've written that short story, poem or novel. You've had the audacity to send it out to magazines, agents and publishers. You've received enough rejections to probably re-paper your whole house, let alone the toilet. What do you do next? If you've come to a dead end but you still believe in your work, where do you go?

It happens. That's the first thing you need to remember. Sometimes (well, quite a lot really!) a story is stubborn and just won't sell, or no agent or publisher wants to take your book on. You've sat down and reworked it to within an inch of your life and you are at the end of your tether with it and you are stuck as to where to take it next. Does there come a point when you have to shelve it and move on? How long do you keep flogging at it before you throw in the towel? Have you come to the end of the road and it's time to move on?

It's a very difficult decision to make and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. But here are a few things to think about if you think you're nearing this point:

1. Put some distance between you and your work. Time can heal and you may come back to it with fresh eyes and fresh ideas.

2. Markets change, publishing trends change. With a bit of time your work may be in demand in the future so sit tight with it!

3. Consider paying a company to critique your work - make sure they re experienced and have a good reputation. It may be expensive but it could mean the difference between getting published and not.

4. Look for other markets/agents/publishers - you can't have exhausted all of them!

5. Start something new while you're struggling to get your current work published - keeping your eggs in one basket lowers your odds. If you can show editors/agents/publishers that you're not just a one trick pony and you have something else to bring to the table if you do decide to move on, they may be more favourable to future submissions.

Moving on needn't be negative - everything you've learned from the work you're moving on from can be taken with you and make your next piece of work better.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Face book campaign to bring back fiction in women's mags!

2011-06-12T10:40:00.000+01:00

Right! The recent decision by TAB to ditch their weekly magazine fiction slot has grated somewhat. It seems that magazines are getting rid of their fiction slots in favour of more 'true-life' stories and more celeb dross! Now, if you like true life stories and reading about celebs that's fine - we all do to a certain extent. But I feel that these magazines are ignoring the thousands of women who actually quite like to read the fiction too. There has to be a balance and losing the fiction slot upsets this balance!

I'm not just saying all of this because I write short stories and if the market is dwindling it reduces my and all the other short story writers' chances of publication. I'm saying it because I love reading the stories too. I read them long before I even considered trying to write them and I think it's such a shame that there are less stories about.

Stories, for me, are as essential to my well being as breathing is! As a human race we have told stories right from the start of our existence on the planet. It's an ancient art that we cannot let die out. I know the pressure is on for the mags to keep up with the times and, at the moment, the trend is moving towards celebs and true-life stories.

This is why I have set up my new Face Book page to try and Bring Back Fiction to magazines before it's too late and we lose them for good. So, have a look at the page and, if you feel like I do, do join us - tell your friends about us, spread the word! The more names we have the better chance we have of the mag editors listening!

It's worth a shot!

L is for Look, Listen, Live and Learn

2011-06-12T06:00:00.001+01:00

When you're going about your daily business: taking your kids to school, commuting to work, shopping, going to the cinema, whatever you do, how closely do you pay attention to what is going on around you? Do you run around on auto pilot, arriving at your destination without realising how you actually got there? Or do you take it all in? Do you savour each sight, sound, feeling, emotion, aroma and taste? Do you listen in to conversations (discreetly, of course!) Do you watch how people move, interact, speak, look? If you are writer you should do!

It's amazing what you can pick up on in your everyday life, if you just tune into it. I know that it's hard to pay attention to what's going on when your brain's frazzled and you're in a rush, but if you just try and slow down a bit and let the outside world in, it can really inspire you and help your writing come alive on the page - give it some realism that the reader will identify and relate to.

So while you're busy living, don't forget to look and listen and use what you learn for your writing.

Happy writing

Julie xx

K is for Keeping The Faith

2011-06-11T06:00:00.001+01:00

Nothing unsettles a writer more that hearing whispers along the grapevine that this or that market is, or has folded. If that particular market is a good source of income for a writer, what is the writer to do when it's gone? But in someways it can be more frustrating for the writer who has tried to get into that market but failed as the opportunity and challenge is pulled from under them. They may feel a though they've been wasting their time? Losing markets also puts the pressure on because it forces more writers to move to those markets that are left and the competition increases. Is it then harder for new writers to get a foothold? And do more established writers find themselves losing sales because the competition has suddenly heated up? I've considered giving up myself on several occasions!

This is why keeping the faith is important. It's easy, now that the cuts are biting and everyone is feeling the bite, magazines are going under or restricting their submissions to existing contributors or doing it in-house, to feel it's not worth the effort to even try submitting. I've certainly found myself thinking this over recent months. But I still believe that it is worth trying. While there are still markets out there taking short stories, there are still opportunities for our short stories to be published! Consider overseas as a potential market and some of the smaller magazines - think laterally.

It's not all doom and gloom, so keep going and remember:

Yes, there are many, many, many other equally experienced and competent writers as you, more experienced writers than you and writers just starting out, all vying for that all important sale/publication but keep this in the back of the mind: Out of all those writers WHY SHOULDN'T IT BE YOU who gets published? Perhaps writing a pros and cons list and answering that question you can come up with a plan that improves your chances. You are an individual with unique life experiences and that is your unique selling point that only you can bring to the table.

Good luck!

Julie xx

J is for Jack In The Box

2011-06-10T06:00:00.001+01:00

The twist in the tale: that elusive style of story that can be difficult to pull off. Read any of the women's magazine fiction and you'll see how popular they are. There are some really, really good ones that leave you gasping 'Ah! So that's what it was/who it was.' But done sloppily they can leave you thinking, 'eh?'

The trick is to leave subtle clues throughout the story so when the reader gets to the end they can look back and see that the answers were there all along. What you don't want to do is for the conclusion to be contrived or to bop the reader on the nose out of nowhere. The importance is in what you don't say, rather than what you do. Allow the reader to fill in the gaps.

This is one style of story that I would suggest you really do need to plan. You need to know your start point and where you are heading, whilst knowing how your characters are going to get there. And remember to leave clues along the way, signposts that gently steer the reader where you want them to go. It's a fine balance to make but you have to make sure that the clues you leave aren't so subtle that the reader misses them completely, or too in their face that they guess the ending without having to read to the end of the story.

I love trying to guess the end of the story in this style of story but I find it so disappointing when I succeed. For a reader, the brilliance in these stories is not having a clue how it's going to pan out until the ending comes, then you can back and find the clues - heavenly satisfying. They are the kind of stories that make you sigh, 'I wish I could write like that.' Well you can - if you put your mind to it.

Don't be a Jack In The Box writer by staging a ninja attack on your reader. No-one likes too much of a surprise or to be left feeling confused after reading your story. Subtlety and careful planning are the order of the day to leave your reader satisfied.

Happy twisting!

Julie xx

Worry re: Take A Break Mag

2011-06-09T21:31:00.002+01:00

Has anyone else noticed the distinct lack of fiction in the new look Take A Break mag? Have we lost another market? I didn't see anything anywhere saying they were cutting it? Or is this a one off?

Mmmmmmm.

Julie xx

I is for ......... Imagination and Ingenuity

2011-06-09T06:00:00.001+01:00

We're an imaginative lot we writers aren't we? It never ceases to amaze me when an idea pops into my head, seemingly out of thin air. I mean where do our ideas come from? I think it comes down to being extra observant (or nosy!) We notice things other people miss. We see stories where other people don't. I know that there is a story in everything, in every experience, in every encounter, if we look hard enough. The world is abuzz with untold stories and it's up to we writers to tap into them and get those stories honed and polished and out to editors/agents/publishers.

It's all very well having the imagination to do all this, but sometimes this alone is not enough. What we need is ingenuity: a bit of gumption, a play on words, a twist in the tale. Our initial idea might not actually be the best story there so it pays to use the old grey matter to consider our options - find the best story we have.

Some stories flow out of us as though they are coursing down the river. Some need a little gentle teasing to be coaxed out of their hiding place. But other stories need to be chased over moor and hill a be wrestled to the floor before they'll give you their tale. What you do with that idea when it comes is up to you.

Use your writing as a good excuse to lie down and imagine and then imagine some more and use your gumption to come up with the story you know you're capable of writing.

Happy writing!

Julie xx

For The Love of Blogger - A polite and respectful request!

2011-06-08T11:38:00.000+01:00

Now, I am a very, very patient and tolerant woman. But for goodness sake, Blogger, GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER! This problem with not being able to comment on some other blogs as myself, only being able to comment on some other blogs anonymously and not being able to comment on some blogs at all is starting to grate a little (well, a lot if I'm honest.)

I have neither the time or the inclination to run the pointless gauntlet of blogger asking me to choose a profile, having to sign in and then being directed back to the blog comment box to do the word verification thing, only to be redirected back to sign in again! And so it goes on and on and on and on. Now, I love the film Ground Hog Day but I don't necessarily want to be in my own version of it!

I do appreciate the wonderful site that is Blogger and I think it gives us a valuable and lovely platform, but for the love of custard can you please, please, please do something about the problem!

Please sort the problem out - it's been going on for far too long and I ain't getting any younger.

Julie xx

H is for Have a Think About it.

2011-06-08T06:00:00.000+01:00

Writers are a lucky bunch. I think this because at some point in their working day they have to sit and think. This may involve sitting in their office, staring at the wall or the view from their window. It may mean them getting out into the fresh air, sitting half way up a mountain, thinking. Or they may be at a family gathering or work meeting and suddenly go off on one into their own little literary imaginative world and think. What other job would it be acceptable for you to just sit and think and make things up? Well, yes politicians maybe ;0) but we'll disregard them.

Thinking is essential to the writing process. It allows us to conjure up ideas and catch them before they float out of minds and are forever lost into the ether. Thinking helps our creative brain to stew the ideas around. Given time, a problem with a chapter of your novel, or a character who refuses to come to life on the page will be sorted if left to the inner workings of your brain.

So stop and think every once in a while and see your literary problems disappear.

Happy writing!

Julie xx

G is for ...... Get On With it and Get Over It

2011-06-07T06:00:00.001+01:00

One of the most annoying comments that anyone can make to a writer is that they could write a book if only they had the time, or if only they could think of something to write about. Well it's all well and good thinking that you can write a book, but it's no use to anyone unless you actually sit down and get on with it. The only difference between a failed writer, a wannabe writer and a writer that becomes published is that the published writer got on with it where the other two didn't. Something to think about ;0)

Today I received two short story rejections in one e-mail. So how do I feel about that? Did I wail and gnash my teeth and vow never to write again? No I did not. My first thought was who can I send them to next and what was it about them that missed the mark of this particular market? How can I improve my chances next time? I wasn't too worried as I know I have around 20 other stories still out there waiting for a yay or nay. The rejections don't tend to bother you as much when you have other stories circulating as you know one of these might hit the mark. But if you have no more work out there a rejection can grate.

So get on with it and send your stuff out there and then get over the rejections and get on with it some more!

Happy writing

Julie xx

F is for Freedom and Farce

2011-06-06T06:00:00.000+01:00

I love writing. It can be exhilarating getting that first draft down on paper. I love the sense of freedom writing gives you. It makes me feel that I am capable of anything. But after the fizz of first draft love has gone phutt, and what you first thought was beautiful has turned ugly, this is the moment when you really find out if you want to be a writer or not.

Some writers can barely bring themselves to read their first draft. They peek at it through their fingers, afraid of this atrocity to writing they have unleashed. Other writers read with gay abandon, still reeling from the heady, passionate first fling and send it out as it is (never, ever, ever do this btw. It's like getting a tattoo when you are drunk and regretting it the next morning when you are stone, cold, sober - not that I'd know anything about that, of course, cough.) Some writers banish it to solitary confinement in the bottom of their drawers never to be paroled. Buy fear not, I say. Read your first draft with confidence. Recognise and accept that it's supposed to be a bit ropey. But it can and will be improved on with time, hard work and patience.

Writing is also a farce, isn't it? I mean who else in their right mind would spent a large portion of their time writing stuff that they have no way of knowing will sell or not? And who would keep doing it over and over and over again, rejection after rejection? We real writers that's who! But are we just kidding ourselves? Are we really cut out for this job? Are we just masochists? Only you know the answer to those questions.

Be free with your writing and don't give in to the farce!

Julie xx

E is for eagle eye

2011-06-05T06:00:00.001+01:00

You know how it is - you 've checked, re-checked, double re-checked, treble re-checked your manuscript to within an inch of its life. You print it out and decide to read it one more time for luck. Agghhhhh! you gasp. There it is. A misspelling, a glaring grammatical error, a missing speech mark, a repeated word. How in the name of custard did I miss that? You wail and gnash your teeth. But find it you did. At least you did find it. There's nothing worse than finding the error after you've sent the manuscript out!

Errors are so easy to miss, particularly when you are stressed or tired. I've done it many times and cringed when I look back over the manuscript that was returned, rejected, to find mistakes. To err is to be human after all. It's unprofessional but it happens. If you take a look through any magazine you like you'll find errors in the finished product - so it's not just you, the hopeful amateur, who gets it wrong - we all do. It doesn't matter how long you've been writing, or how much you've had published, it can and will happen to you.

So how do you lessen the odds? I'm a great advocate for breathing space. When you think you've dotted the last 'i' and crossed the last 't' it is tempting to send your gleaming manuscript out. DON'T! Resist the urge at all costs. Put it away somewhere for a couple of days - a week if time allows and then get it out and go through it again with fresh eyes. You might be surprised by what you find.

If possible, I always get someone else to read the manuscript through before I send it out. This person doesn't need to be another writer but they do need to have a sharp eye and a passion for and a knowledge of spelling and grammar. You've heard the phrase 'two heads are better than one,' well in this case four eyes are better than two.

This works because you, as the writer, are too close, too emotionally involved in your own work. You've read it many times and your brain reacts to this by skimming, so you no longer really see what's written on the page as you begin to learn it and read it in your head rather than with your eyes on the page. Gaining someone else's perspective on your manuscript can highlight issues you haven't picked up on: pace, spelling, grammar, flow, etc.

So back away from your manuscript and give it some breathing space! Work on something else while it's resting. You'll be so glad you did, as will any prospective editor/agent/publisher.

Keep 'em peeled!

Julie xx

D is for determination and daring

2011-06-04T06:00:00.001+01:00

One thing that has got me through the dark days of rejection is determination. When I first started writing, when I hadn't been published and all I was getting was rejection after rejection, it was so hard to keep going. But keep going I did. Why? Why would any sane person keep sending out their short stories, unsolicited, when they keep coming back rejected? I kept going because I had no other way of knowing whether my short stories were publishable or not. The proof was in the eating of the proverbial pudding. Once you've been published, you know you can do as the evidence your story and name) is right there in front of you in a magazine. But when you haven't been published, you've no reason to believe you really can do it! That's hard to swallow.

Rejection is hard, but I think giving up is harder as you'll never know what you might have achieved if you hadn't have kept going. What makes rejection difficult is a lot of the time you don't know why your stories were rejected, or how close to the mark you were. Editors don't have time to tell you. So it is a lot like taking pot shots in the dark, sometimes. You can read the magazines, study the submission guidelines, write what you think is a cracking story that fits the magazine's remit only to have the story returned to you a few months later. It's tough, but that's the way it is. Determination is part of the key to your success as a writer.

Daring. Humph. You have to have the bare faced cheek, the audacity to think that you can write and write well too. You have to dare to try something new, dare to keep going despite the knock-backs, dare to write outside of your box and your comfort zone. And then you have to have the damnation to send your work to editors (gasps - pass the smelling salts!) But it's worth it in the end (honest.)

Be determined. Go on - I dare you!

Julie xx

Courage and a 'can-do' attitude

2011-06-03T06:00:00.001+01:00

I don't want to hear any excuses as to why you aren't writing, why you're not sending your work out, why you're not trying new markets. I have enough excuses of my own. What I do want to see is you grasping the nettle, as it were, and pushing you and your writing forward, expanding your boundaries, dare to be different and give it a go.

There should be no such words as 'can't do' in a writer's vocabulary but one word you do need is courage. You need the courage of your convictions and sit down and write. Don't let that weedy little voiced creature that looks and acts like Kreatcher or Dobby the house elf, or Smeegal, (otherwise known as the Writer's Wraith or The Inner Editor that lurks deep inside your writer's brain put you off. It's no use wailing that you don't know how to do this or do that - you don't know how to submit short stories or how to present them, how to write them, who to send them to - LEARN! And then put what you've learned into practise. I've been writing for three years now and I'm learning all the time. I don't always hit the mark. In fact it's more miss than hit if I'm honest, but my success rate is going up.

Have courage and never say can't do.

Julie xx

News flash

2011-06-02T21:08:00.000+01:00

We interrupt your normal viewing to announce that Julie has a story in this weeks issue of The Weekly News (4th June - the one with Simon Cowell on the front) - Sweet Smell of Revenge. I only know it's in as I walked up to my local shop to get a paper, saw that they now stocked The Weekly News, bought one and saw my name! I knew it had been accepted but didn't know when it was going in. I like nice surprises like that - could do with a few more.

Julie xx

B is for Belief

2011-06-02T06:00:00.002+01:00

As a writer you need to believe in:

*Your own abilities as a writer.
*Your characters.
*Yourself.
*Your story telling ability.
*Your ability to self-edit.
*Your ability to self-market your work.
*The fact that you will get published no matter what.

If you don't believe in yourself or your writing than how do you expect an editor, an agent, a publisher or reader to believe in your work either? It's all in the mind! You can and will do it. There are days when my self-belief takes a battering but I stand up, dust myself down and get back on that writing pony - yeee har ;0)

Don't be afraid to stretch yourself - try a new angle, try a genre you've not written in before. If it's not working for you, change tack and find a way that does work. Believe in yourself and your writing ability to get published.

BELIEVE!

Julie xx

A is for .......

2011-06-01T06:00:00.001+01:00

Ambition: As writers we must want to write and have something to aim for. It's no good writing to be published if we don't fire on all cylinders or set our sights on the right targets. Market research will help us take aim more effectively, but we must also aim a little higher than the highest bar we think we can reach. That's how we stretch ourselves and grow as writers.

Start small and work your way up: a reader letter leads to a small filler - a joke, a tip, an anecdote. A small filler leads to a mini article. A mini article leads to a full length article or a short story. A short story or full article leads to a novel or non-fiction book or even a series of books. The sky really is the limit! Think big and aim high but take it slowly and enjoy the writing/learning process.

For the first 26 days of June (or for however long I remember to do it!) I'll be giving my own A-Z of the qualities/skills I think writers need in order to get published and continue getting published. So do join me and chip in with your own ideas.

Happy writing,

Julie xx

PS I am feeling well chuffed as this month I have sent out more short stories than I ever have in one month before - I've worked hard on these stories and it's taken up a lot of time, but even if they don't get published I've had fun writing and editing them. I've learned that I really can cut a story down from a 1000 words to 700 when I have to!

So What Are You Going To Do?

2011-05-22T11:58:00.000+01:00

Since embarking on this writing journey with you I've learned a great deal and I hope you have too. It hasn't been easy but one of the things that has kept me going is the thrill that writing gives me. I think that you have to enjoy the process of writing because if you don't it is quite likely that it will show through in your writing.

I know that most people would have given up long before now, but I haven't and won't. It took me a lot of writing and two years to get my first short story published. I thought about giving up, many times. But I didn't. I'm not sure I understand completely why I didn't. But when I'm writing, when I'm even thinking about writing, I get this feeling. It's like a prickle of electricity running through me and it makes me smile. I have all these characters and plots running through my head. I have characters talking to me and each other. Everyday when I wake up I have the opportunity to make new worlds and explore people's relationships and motives. I can help them to resolve conflicts and to move forward in their lives. I do this all from my own home.

I can visit new places, live other people's lives for the few hours it takes me to write my story all without leaving my living room. And if I need motivation, inspiration or company I have all my fellow blogger friends, my writing group and writing friends. I can even go and sit in a cafe and people watch while I'm writing. I can read magazines in the name of research. It's a fantastic job! Of course I want to carry on doing it, despite the rejections. I intend to carry on doing what I love - writing short stories.

So what are you going to do then? We are almost half way through the year and even though I still have far more short stories rejected than accepted I still love writing and reading. Do you? What are you going to do for the rest of the year to take your writing to the next level?

Just something to think about while you're writing.

Happy thinking and writing

Julie xx

Happy days

2011-05-20T12:35:00.000+01:00

I am over the moon today for these reasons:

1. I sold another short story to the Weekly News. It's even more of a sweet feeling as it's a story that was previously rejected by another magazine. It's definitely worth sending rejected stories out again to other markets.

2. I spent a wonderful afternoon with a writing friend, chatting about writing and putting the world to right over tea and biscuits. This really inspired me and got me motivated.

3. It's my writing group meeting tomorrow - another chance to mix with like-minded (ie, mad people) and fill my motivation tanks up.

4. I've got four more short stories to work on and get out there.

5. I have 17 short stories out there currently waiting for a yay or nay - I've never achieved that before so that's progress.

Hope everyone else writing's going well. Get inspired - get it written- get it out there!

Julie xx

Will You Won't You?

2011-05-15T15:31:00.000+01:00

I've always loved the TV film adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. I particularly like the song that Alice sings at her parents' afternoon tea party at the end. She's supposed to sing Cherry Ripe but after her amazing adventures she decides to sing Will You Won't You Join the Dance.

So what's this got to do with writing? Well I think that trying to get published is a dance and rather like that film. It's a surreal activity. Will the editor (The Queen of Hearts) shout, 'Off with her head!' if you dare sub some of your writing to them, or will they be calm and mellow like the caterpillar? Will you fall down the rabbit hole and commence the fantastic journey? Will you drink something that makes you bigger or eat something that makes you smaller? And I would love to attend the mad hatter's tea party. I'll have what they're having!

At the moment, I've been reading lots of published short stories again, mainly in Take A Break, Take A Break Fiction Feast, Women's Weekly and The Weekly News. I have to admit that for some of the published stories they left me cold. I have no idea how they got published. For some of them I could spot the twist/ the ending a mile off and others didn't seem to much of a story at all. Yet they got published and mine didn't. I think I'm obviously missing something and that's why I've been reading these stories and dissecting them to figure out what it is the editor and, presumably, other readers see in them. What was it that made these stories get through where mine failed?

Now, there are many more brilliant stories in these magazines that I've read and wished that I'd thought of and written as they are absolutely brilliant. It is clear why they got in. But with my current short story publication rate at approx one story published every 18 months, I am keen to discover what I am currently unable to give the editor in the stories I submit. What is missing from my stories that the editor is after?

It's not an easy question to answer but if I want to increase my hit rate, and I so desperately want to, then I am going to have to give it some serious thought. But here, from my chink of success, is what I think makes a good, publishable short story:

1. Strong, believable characters that live and breathe and make the story 'real' to the reader.

2. Characters that interact and drive the story along.

3. A clear, strong beginning, middle and satisfying ending.

4. Stories that deal with every day situations that readers can identify with: boyfriend.girlfriend angst, relationships, job problems, etc.

5. Stories that are set in places that people are familiar with: supermarket, office, shop, home, etc.

6. Dialogue that is natural and moves the story along.

7. A conflict resolution that comes from the main character themselves and not a knight in shining armour/eleventh hour rescue type scenario.

8.Emotions: Happiness, sadness, excitement, anxiety, love, hate, etc - anything that makes the reader 'feel.'

9. Nothing contrived, or with author interference (the reader shouldn't hear your voice/moral code in the story!

10. A story that grabs the reader's attention and carries it forward, never missing a beat.

I know all this is easier said than done. I also know that I've been writing short stories for 4 years now and I have a shockingly poor success rate with short stories (it took me two years to get the first one published!) But the only person who can turn that around is me. And I still believe that I will achieve a better success rate by reading the short stories in the magazines I want to write for and writing more stories. I've learned so much by doing this. I can't even bear to think about how many stories I've had rejected now but I'm still going! I'm working on the presumption that I've been published before and I will again.

So join me in this topsy-turvy, nothing- makes- sense- yet- it -makes -perfect- sense -Alice- in Wonderland- world!

Happy writing!

Julie xx

Waiting.......

2011-05-07T10:05:00.000+01:00

Don't you find, as writers, that we spend an awful lot of our time just waiting? We wait for copies of magazines/books to come out so that we can devour them and glean the information they contain. We wait for inspiration. We wait while our brains kick into gear and the first sentence flows out. We wait for a reply from editors to our e-mail enquiries or pitches. We wait for rejections or acceptances to come thudding through our letter boxes. We wait while our broadband Internet connection and/or computers decide to go on strike. We wait for everything!

While we wait, though, it's important to get some perspective and not dwell on our failures of the past. We should, I feel, be looking forward with our writing. Of course we do learn from the past and this helps us to move on with our writing. And, unfortunately, writing is one big waiting game. I know I wish that editor's cogs would move faster, but they don't and we have to accept that.

Writing gives us time to think. It allows us to take a step back and review what we have done and to think about where we are going next with our writing. Every rejection we receive allows us to see where we have gone wrong and we can grow from that. Waiting also lets us work on new ideas ready to send out when we have had the verdicts on our work already out there. No matter how frustrating it may be, or how impatient we are, getting worked up about the length of time we have to wait isn't going to help.

So while you're waiting for that yes or no, take time out to reflect on your past successes and achievements and use them to carry you forward. Learn from your rejections and then move on.It might do you the world of good to take time out from your writing completely and then go back to it with fresh eyes and a more positive attitude. Being positive is half the battle.

Only one short story rejected this week but one article accepted for the local paper - I can live with that!

My writing aims for this week are to get some short stories edited and sent out. I was delighted to discover that I have 11 short stories at either first or second draft status! They will keep me busy for quite some time, I think. I'm still planning to work on my novels. The new project I finished the first draft of (children's book) still needs time to ferment. But my summer holiday project will be editing one of my NaNo novels. I'm excited but daunted about this mammoth task, but I've been sitting on my NaNo novels for too long now and as well as being a bit squashed ;0) it really is about time I got on with them.

I'm now waiting for my husband and daughter to get washed and dressed so we can go shopping!

Happy waiting!

Julie xx

Hello, my name is Julie and I'm a .........

2011-04-30T16:18:00.000+01:00

I often wonder why I came late to writing. Given all the choices and opportunities that I have had all of my life, what made me choose not to write until a few years ago? I started writing in 2007 by doing an Open University Creative Writing Course. From then on I was hooked! So what is it that made me switch career in my late 30's? It's a question I can't really answer as I truthfully don't know.

I had written bits and bobs as a child and teenager. I can even remember submitting two stories to people's Friend at the grand old age of 18! They rejected my stories then and they're still rejecting them now - no change there then. Granted I haven't submitted to them for a while now, but I'm on the case. Somewhere between the ages of 18 and 37 I went off writing and started to pursue other avenues. Was it wanting to please my family that made me go into nursing? It's a very respectable career, after all. Or was I actually so naive that I thought I could make a difference as a nurse? Well it took me a good 15 years to realise that I couldn't! But that's another story.

Once I started writing again I didn't want to stop and it dawned on me that, actually, I didn't want to be a nurse any more - I wanted to be a writer. But I didn't know how to go about it. Doing the writing course and joining a writing group helped me no end to figure out that I could do this writing thing and what kind of writer I wanted to be, and now here I am almost four years on since I made that decision and I feel I'm at a crossroads again.

I've had some success with being published on the poetry, short story and article front but I'm still not anywhere near where I want to be with my writing. I very much feel I'm in a now or never situation. Before, I used to treat my writing as a bit of a hobby. I didn't take it that seriously - I had, after all, an important nursing job to do. I already had a job and didn't need another one thank you very much. But once the writing bug bit deeper I found that, yes, I did want to be a full time writer but I wasn't sure that I had the necessary skills to be published and make money from it.

I'm glad I made the choice to become a writer, and for me I know it was the right thing to do. But part of me can't help but whine (don't shoot me for saying this!) that I won't be a proper writer until I get a book published. Well, here I am with two part finished NaNo novels and and now a third book I have recently finished the first draft of for children (a completely new venture for me!) I am, of course, excited that I have got as far as I have with these books, but a part of me is suspicious that I am becoming a never-finishes- anything writer. I live on starting off new writing projects but I think, until recently, I lacked the discipline and tenacity to edit those books to a publishable standard.

That was until now. To be fair to the amount of work I've put into these books I'm going to see them through to the bitter end, one sentence, one paragraph, one chapter at a time. I never thought I even had one book in me, let alone three! But there you go; you never know what you are capable of until you try. So my summer days, when I'm not off elsewhere, are going to be filled with editing my books. Will I end up with anything that might catch the eye of an editor or publisher? I don't know. But I'm going to give it a try. Maybe if I edit I'll have the nerve to stand up and say to the world, 'Hello, my name is Julie and I am an unpublished novelist.'

I am under no impression that getting a novel pubished is going to be easy. I know how difficult it is and I know far more manuscripts are rejected than books are actually published. But, call me mad if you will, I still want to try. Is this a recognised illness do you think? Or just human nature?!

Don't leave your writing projects/writing dreams in Never Land: work towards making them a reality now. If you don't try then you will never know what could have been. One thing all published authors have in common is that they didn't give up. The carried on writing regardless of the odds and the rejections. Are you going to give up and give up the chance of being published or are you coming on the journey with me?

Happy writing

Julie xx

Coming to an End......

2011-04-24T16:32:00.000+01:00

Well, as we come to the end of No Procrastination week, I'm pleased to say that it worked for me! I'm currently on 5,220 words of one writing project and have probably written a couple of more thousand words on articles and through editing short stories - it's amazing what you can do when you kick that pesky procrastination devil up its backside! And that's with hospital appointments, having my daughter home with me during the Easter holidays, having to go up every week day to check on the school allotments, having to check on and do stuff for my elderly father, house work and the many other distractions life throws at us.

What I've had reiterated to me through my experiences this week, is that you can write loads when you put your mind to it and make time for it. I've had to cut back on the amount of television I usually watch, which is no bad thing really, (I draw the line at Dr Who, Lewis and Midsomer Murders, though!) and I've had to be really strict with myself (and others) by writing when it's my designated writing time and not being coerced into doing something else.

Your writing is important and, if you want to be published, you have to be prepared to make sacrifices and get down to the act of writing. I don't know if what I've written over this week will be good enough to ever see the light of day, but I do know it's taking me closer to my goal. If I hadn't written it I would have nothing to edit and try and improve.

It's a project I've had milling around in my head and then in note form for a while, but I always made excuse after excuse for not starting it. And here we are, a week later, after months of 'I'll do it tomorrow,' tomorrow has come and I've almost completed the first draft. It's a wonderful feeling and I'm all fired up to getting on and finishing the first draft tomorrow.

Don't put your writing projects off any longer - no more excuses - get it down on paper. You don't know what's around the corner in life so stop procrastinating and remember, you're worth it!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Am I Bothered?

2011-04-17T14:49:00.001+01:00

Post man can't deliver magazines with your short stories in if you don't write and sub them.
Remember why you started writing in the first place.
Onwards and upwards!
Can't be bothered attitude will get you nowhere.
Reality check - stop dreaming/washing up/ cleaning the oven and get on with writing.
Any writing is better than no writing.
Sitting down and writing is the only way to get it done.
Talk the talk, but you have to walk the walk too.
In a nut shell - the less you write, the less likely you'll be published.
No writing = no publishing contract.
All published writers know one thing - don't give up.
There are no such words as I can't.
I'll do it tomorrow when you have time today to write is not an option - get it down on paper now.
On no condition let rejection stop you. Get back on that horse.
Never let do of your writing dream.

I am declaring week beginning the 18th April No Procrastination Week. Let's see what happens when we make our writing the priority it should be!

Julie xx

Why Do We Do It?

2011-04-10T14:16:00.000+01:00

Since I started writing in 2007 I've been fascinated by why writers write. I know there are many reasons: pleasure, money, therapy, part of their work, their sole occupation, etc, and I think I write for probably all of those reasons, depending what mood I'm in and what I'm writing. Writing is not for the feint hearted. I think if anyone had told me how many short stories I would get rejected before I got one published, I'm not sure I would have started writing them!

What qualities do I think writers need? Well it depends on what they are writing I guess, but the qualities that have seen me through are: determination, a thick skin, perseverance, a vivid imagination, the ability to think laterally, nosiness, an inquiring mind, taking notice of what is going on around me and adaptability. That's quite a list!

I've been thinking about this as I had three short stories rejected this week, which in the grand scheme of things is peanuts really. Writing short stories is definitely a numbers game: the more you write them the better your writing skills become as you become more aware of what works and what doesn't. The more you submit, the more likely you are to get one published. There's always the writer who has had their first or second short story published, but that's a rarity - for most of us it takes many, many attempts.

My writing goals for this week are to edit the six stories I've written over the past few weeks and get them subbed. I still have 12 stories out there waiting to learn their fate but I could do with getting some more out there. What I've been doing, and will continue to do, is study the short stories that have been published in the women's magazines recently and use these as a template to my own. Taking note of dialogue, tone, style, word count, theme, etc, I'll be teasing out my short story ideas and see which story, with some tweaking, will fit into which magazine's format. When I get an idea for a short story now, I find myself thinking in terms of which magazine the idea suits best - this cuts down on time and effort wasting when it comes to submitting them. If you can keep your target magazine in mind from idea conception through to the editing process and to the final story you submit it saves a lot of trouble and might just increase your success rate.

Happy writing!

Julie

Don't worry about it.

2011-04-03T09:46:00.000+01:00

It's a funny old thing worry. Funny, as it rarely serves any purpose other than to make you feel bad. Now there are occasions where I could be a serious contender to represent the UK in worrying at the 2012 Olympics. I'd probably get a gold medal. I have to stop myself sometimes and think about just what I'm worrying about. I discovered that a lot of it is trivia, something that I can't do a lot about. It's out of my hands. I've been wondering why people, including myself, worry about things they have no control over. What's the point in worrying about something you can't change? Will the outcome be any different if you worry about it? Probably not. All that will happen is whatever you were worrying about either happens or it doesn't and you wind up with a headache through all that worrying!

Fretting is so draining too. It can become all consuming if you let it. It takes over everything, seeping into all the cracks of your life. So much so that you become worried about all the worrying you're worried about worrying about! Aye, aye, aye.

I worry about my writing. I love writing but I'm never quite satisfied that I've done enough. I can always do more. That moment before I press the 'send' button to e-mail my work to whichever editor it's destined for is fraught with 'is it okay? Did I get the grammar and the spelling right? Did I get the tone and style of it right? But the moment I send the piece is also full of excitement and anticipation. I'm filled with a real sense of achievement and full of longing to move on to the next piece. It's a great feeling seeing my writing in print but that feeling of elation is soon chased by the fear that I won't be able to write something publishable again which can lead to writing inertia and that's not good!

So my advice today is to stop worrying. As soon as that pesky worry thought enters your brain, acknowledge it but then let it go. Imagine it's a balloon and watch it drift away. Just get on with the joy of writing and your creativity will flow better. Leave the worrying to someone else. Worrying won't get you published (unless it's a book about worrying, of course,) but writing will. I declare today a worry free day!

Oh and happy mothers day. I never forget what a privilege it is to be a mum. Give a thought to those out there who, for whatever reason, are unable to have children, and think about those who have lost their mum. Be thankful for what you have and who you are.

On the writing front it's been rather an exciting week. A lovely photographer from the local paper came to my house to take photos of myself and a few other Wrekin Writer members for a piece I'd written about us and I've also done another two pieces for them on different local groups with another one I've yet to write. I also had two article ideas accepted by the same magazine and so I'm busy writing those too (Thanks to all my lovely fellow bloggers, writers and face bookers who helped me out with those!)

Yesterday I had two short stories come to me, fully formed. This doesn't happen often so I typed them up sharpish before the mood left me! So yesterday I wrote 3,300 words worth of short stories. I had been feeling a little frustrated about my short story progress (worry rears its ugly head again) but that was blown out of the water yesterday! It's great what focus and a bloody-minded determination can do for your creativity - I will get them there stories written!

Today, I will be editing a couple of short stories from I wrote a few weeks back, and the second draft of an article, so I can get them subbed next week.

Happy writing!

Julie xx

Option A or option B?

2011-03-27T21:54:00.000+01:00

I've been concentrating a lot on articles over the past couple of weeks, so I've not been writing so many short stories. I always find myself pushed and pulled between the different disciplines I write in. If I'm writing short stories I'll have several article ideas pop into my head. If I'm writing articles, all I want to do is get down on paper the short stories I have whizzing round my brain. Or I'll have a good piece of dialogue appear from out of the ether that I think would be good for a certain scene in chapter four of my novel. So much to write but so little time. But I think that even if I had all the time in the world to write, I still wouldn't get down on paper everything I'd like to.

I was chuffed to see an article of mine in the May issue of Writers' Forum about giving author talks and it reminded me just how far I've come since my pen first made contact with paper. Seeing that article in print gave me the kick I needed to pitch more articles and get those pitches accepted. It also, for some reason I have yet to fathom out, make a complete story pop into my head this evening (while I was in the bath. Why am I always in the bath when these story ideas come to me?) So, whilst watching the wonderful Brian Cox I have typed it and will edit it next week. I love it when I receive inspiration for stories like that. I just have to get them down on paper. Will it sell? Who knows? But I'll give it a good go!

I've nothing to report on the short story front. I've got fifteen out there doing the rounds so I'm hoping for an acceptance somewhere along the line. If not, I have more stories in the pipeline to get ready to send out when the rejections come. One in one out - that's my philosophy.

Happy writing

Julie xx

Writers wanted!

2011-03-24T16:21:00.000Z

Hello! I'm on the scrounge again for quotes from writers for two articles I'm writing for Writers' Forum. One's about writing spaces and the other about NaNoWriMo. What I'm looking for are writers who write in unusual or different writing spaces or or have their own designated writing space/room and what having that space has done for their writing.Or perhaps you write where you can? Do we need such a space or can we get by without one?

I also need writers who have done NaNoWriMo. After NaNo have you finished the novel and have you managed to get it published? How did you go about finishing it/editing it?

If anyone can help please e-mail me on julie210phillips(at)btinternet.com

Thanks!

Julie xx

Play time!

2011-03-21T14:22:00.000Z

On Saturday it was my turn to run the workshop at my local Wrekin Writers' meeting. Now, bearing in mind I've been a member for a couple of years, I know what makes them tick and what kind of people they are. So you can imagine the response my 'Writing Is Child's Play' workshop got! Not that I'm saying they are all big babies of course, but I decided that as writers we often become stuck in a rut and don't get time to play and enjoy ourselves in non-writing related activities. Well on Saturday I made sure that we did just that.

We had play doh, Twister, Lego, touchy feely boxes where they had to guess what was in the boxes (jelly, tinned spaghetti, apple, tomato, potato, coins etc.) It was messy but very enjoyable. I also set out some writing related activities like choosing three words cut out from a magazine and making up a story inspired by those words. There was a story board collage activity where they chose three random pictures, again cut out of magazines and they had to make up a story using their chosen picture. I also had 'Who Am I?' where participants had a famous author's name taped to their back and they could ask other participants five questions to find out who they were - the other people could only answer yes or no. Then there was the role play game where I'd typed out several different characters of which they had to choose one and only talk and behave in the way that character would. The grandmother who could only talk in a rap style was popular!

The funny thing was, though, I normally don't like standing up in front of groups of people and talking, but this time I didn't mind - I actually enjoyed it. A lot of that was down to preparation, I think. That and the fact I was amongst fellow minded (silly!) people who like to laugh at themselves and everyone else!

The workshop was, as well as being a lot of fun, designed to give writers alternnative tools for their writing and help them see their writing in a different way: dialogue, description, using all the senses instead of just sight etc - it was all there cunningly disguised as play!

So, it went well and I was really pleased that I'd done it and everyone seemed to have enjoyed it. And my daughter made good use of the play doh afterwards - nothing was wasted!

Don't forget to get away from your computer and have a play once in a while - it will do you and your writing the power of good!

Happy playing - I mean writing!

Julie xx

The Writing Room

2011-03-13T10:04:00.000Z

Here, as promised, are some pics of my new writing room!

Happy writing

Julie xx

Keep 'em peeled

2011-03-12T16:36:00.000Z

We writers are nosy so and sos aren't we. Well I am - it's a gift! Today I've been here there and everywhere and here are a few things I've noticed:

* An elderly woman with the most beautiful grey/white hair I've ever seen tending the grave next to the one I was visiting.

* Bumping into another relative of mine who was also putting flowers on our relative's grave. I hadn't seen him since he was a toddler.

* I find graveyards fascinating and peaceful and I like to wander through the headstones reading the names of those buried there. I try to imagine the type of person they were and what they did in life, who they loved, where they lived, what they thought.

* How people seem to mill around as if in a trance when they are shopping.

* Listening to the waiter at a cafe I went to talking to another customer. A pink Limo drew up at the traffic lights outside and the customer said that her female friend was in there as it was her wedding day. She then added that her friend had married a girl, which the waiter repeated as if he didn't believe her. What a lovely way to travel to your wedding is what I thought.

* How much the town I was visiting has changed within a year or so since I last visited it.

* How completely unaware some people seem to be of what is going on around them.

* How some teenagers can be completely loutish, loud and silly, whilst others so dignified and older than their years.

* How many beautiful flowers there are this time of year.

* Discovering how much joy there is to be had from choosing summer bulbs and vegetable/flower seeds to grow.

* That those automated loos that look like alien space craft are not nearly as frightening as I thought they were. They are, in fact, quite amusing. It takes some getting used to having some strange automated woman giving you instructions while you're on the loo. I've always been terrified of going in them until today when it was unavoidable!

* It's amazing how time seems to fly when you're browsing the shelves of a book shop.

It's important that as writers we open our eyes to what's going on around us: a snippet of conversation, a woman's face, a new experience, everything we observe and experience can provide us with a seed of inspiration for our writing. So keep 'em peeled and you might have your next story.

I know I said I was going to put photos of my new writing room on here but I've hit a slight technical hitch in that I have the photos on my camera but, due to camera battery problems I haven't managed to upload them yet. Watch this space!

Happy observing and writing!

Julie xx