Another One (probably) Bites the Dust

I've just submitted my entry to the Guardian short story competition. It feels great to send off a piece of writing. Although I'm never under any illusion as to the outcome of the submission, it still feels like an achievement to actually get some work to a standard whereby you're happy for other people to read it.

I personally find it really rewarding to keep writing short stories while I'm plodding on with the novel. I haven't done as much as I'd like recently, and I'm sure I should probably be concentrating all my efforts on wrestling my way through the mighty tome, but there's a great deal of satisfaction to be gained from completing a story, however short it is.

I've got a long way to go before I can celebrate finishing the book and short stories are a great way to hit a mini milestone along the route.

Yummy Mummy Envy

I always reckon I've done quite well if I manage to have a shower, find some vaguely matching underwear and remember both kids and my bag when I'm leaving the house. So, I was feeling pretty smug this morning when I arrived at toddler play just after it opened instead of running in sweating for the last few minutes.

All thoughts of smugness evaporated when a vision of yummy mumminess swanned through the door and put my poor efforts at hair (scraped back), make-up (none) and outfit (well, it was clean) to shame. Dressed in a crisp, dazzling white linen dress with a long sparkly bead necklace, matching hairband and silver sequinned pumps, the woman had two small kids with her and a third on the way - I'd guess she was about six months' pregnant.

I had to do a double take as I thought Charlotte from Sex and the City had just swanned into playgroup. If I ever had anything white in my wardrobe, it's now turned into the uniform sludge colour of washing that doesn't get sorted into colour groups. I'd certainly never dream of wearing a white dress within a mile of my kids. As it is, I'm usually liberally doused in snot, food and various other child-related goo before we make it anywhere near the public. And how on earth she managed to find the time and space to contemplate, choose, and put on accessories is just beyond me.

You know what they say: "behind every cool, calm and collected mum is a full-time nanny".

What if it's a Load of Rubbish?

Yeah, yeah, I know writers have these melancholic thoughts all the time. I've read countless articles and blog posts about published authors going through various stages in their novels when they think they can't go on; they've run out of ideas; the book isn't actually that great after all. Anyway, unpublished as I am, it's my turn.

Having cracked the halfway point, it seems I've reached the top of the mountain and have collapsed in a sweating, panting heap with no energy left to get back down the other side. I've got serious doubts about my main character, the ending of the book, the sub plots, the minor characters. Are they too stereotypical? Do they have enough going on in their lives? Is the story interesting enough to hold a reader's attention?

I've been forcing myself to keep writing a bit every day and I'm hoping the doubts will pass and I can get back to belting through the first draft and worry about sorting the problems out at the re-write stage.

Unfortunately, I've got some riveting insurance articles to write first today before I can get down to the novel. Got to pay the bills somehow!

Reaching the Halfway Point

At the end of last week, I finally reached the halfway point for the first draft of my novel. It was a minor celebration, as it's technically just a word count plucked from the sky, but it still felt good.

I guess it's a bit like the due date for a baby: although you really have no idea exactly when it's going to arrive, it's nice to have a date to work towards. I just hope that finishing the book isn't as painful as giving birth.

Positive Mental Attitude

So, after submitting a short story to the Shortbread website, I was really chuffed to get some positive feedback from the Editor.

Each story is individually read before it goes live and it means you get some indication of whether anyone's going to like it, before it's unleashed onto the story writing and reading world.

It's crazy but even a few nice comments can have a dramatic effect and it was enough to spur me on and get going on a couple more short story ideas - things that have been fizzing away on the back burner for months.

Small steps...

Less Thinking, More Doing

I had a quiet work day yesterday so I thought I'd catch up on some pitches and submissions. I sent a short story to 'My Weekly' and I pitched a couple of magazines with a travel article. I also joined up to Shortbread and spent half an hour reading some of the stories to get a feel for the site. There's some really good stuff - pretty eclectic too.

I don't seem to have too much luck when it comes to pitching on spec. I tend to get most work through repeat clients or word-of-mouth. But, every so often, I have a mad morning and write some pitches to send out. I had one accepted a month or so ago and that spurred me on for a bit. Not exactly a retirement fund but it makes me feel like I'm doing something useful on the quiet days.

Anyway, back to writing copy about car insurance...