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Isabella - you mention your pile of old newspapers and the man who killed himself with aluminium phosphate (or whatever it was). OK, that could be turned into a story, but you are missing the obvious. The pile of newspapers themselves would form a great basis for a story. Imagine what your main character might find while sorting through them, what memories or bits of welcome or unwelcome news might be lurking there.
Yes, you're right, Richt. That's a similar thought to the one I had yesterday about my mother's button tin - and as I'm thinking about the memories in my button tin I'm reminded of a Dolly Parton song - Coat of Many Colours, I think. A patchwork quilt would work in the same way, wouldn't it?
Excerpt from 'Taxi for Mr Smith' from the 'Slubberdegullion' collection.
"Anyway, I wanted to go to the sales. Guess what I was going to buy."
"I give in."
"You give in too easily."
"That's not the general opinion. What, then?"
"Sheets."
"Sheets? What's funny about sheets? Oh, no, you were going to get ones with the Chippendales all over them."
"Would you come with me to see them?"
"The Chippendales? Do you know how loud girls can scream?"
"You haven't heard how loud I can scream!"
"Definitely not, then."
I had a reference to the Chippendales in a story that was published in Take a Break Fiction Feast, so you could always try elsewhere.
People's Friend are very particular (and they don't pay that well either) but at least they let you know what they didn't like. They accepted (and paid for) one of mine in November 2006 but it still hasn't been published.
Heather, I sold one to PF around October 2006 and that's still awaiting publication too. Admitedly the money isn't great but they publish so many stories that at least it's a regular market if you can figure out what they want. Also they are very prompt with payment and the editor is helpful. She will often give feedback if a story is a 'near miss' and that sometimes means you can do a successful rewrite.
Thanks Lily. That gives me more confidence that it hasn't been forgotten or (horror!) they changed their mind.
Yes, I do appreciate their comments. Mine was accepted after a rewrite along their suggested lines. It makes it easier to see what they really want in a concrete way, doesn't it? Although having said that a couple of times I have thought 'Did you actually read the story?' as their comments seemed to have missed the point. Maybe that was the problem - the point wasn't sharp enough!
Comments
Thought the coat belong to Joseph?
I have since discovered the smilies.
"Anyway, I wanted to go to the sales. Guess what I was going to buy."
"I give in."
"You give in too easily."
"That's not the general opinion. What, then?"
"Sheets."
"Sheets? What's funny about sheets? Oh, no, you were going to get ones with the Chippendales all over them."
"Would you come with me to see them?"
"The Chippendales? Do you know how loud girls can scream?"
"You haven't heard how loud I can scream!"
"Definitely not, then."
People's Friend are very particular (and they don't pay that well either) but at least they let you know what they didn't like. They accepted (and paid for) one of mine in November 2006 but it still hasn't been published.
Yes, I do appreciate their comments. Mine was accepted after a rewrite along their suggested lines. It makes it easier to see what they really want in a concrete way, doesn't it? Although having said that a couple of times I have thought 'Did you actually read the story?' as their comments seemed to have missed the point. Maybe that was the problem - the point wasn't sharp enough!