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Island Girl and I get a mention for our contributions to Annie's question about the magazines writing competitions and how we get and use ideas for them.
Then there's the column for news from Talkback, where Jay gets a second mention with Niddy, Hippo,Tilly,Wilgetthere,and Miranda.
There's also a questionaire on both magazines, so let's make sure we give the Editor our opinions.
This month there's a sitcom feature. I'm very happy to have something on screenwriting again - thank you WM. Please can I have some more?!
I will certainly mention it on my feedback form, which I plan to answer carefully too.
Winning one of the WN/WM competitions is a big plus.
The woman at work is like so many who come out with comments like that-jealous.
Celebrate your successes, and work on the next one. And if you send any stories off to magazines make sure you mention your win in this short story competition, an example of your skill and competence.
If it hasn't arrived by the end of the week, get in touch with the magazine for a replacement.
Well done with the short story, don't let people deflate you! Im constantly amazed by the things people say! but let that spur you on to greater determination, and let steel enter your eyes!
Many Congratulations, Butterfly. I love short stories so I'll give you the benefit of my no doubt hurriedly considered opinion soon.... Yaaay - we're all becoming famous :O)
Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments. I'm thinking of using this story as an inspiration for a children's book. What do you think?
Annie: Keep at it. You will get there. I'm constantly learning new techniques to help me through. I've learnt to read my work in two different ways when editing. Firstly read as normal, red pen at the ready. Then read each sentence forward - a word at a time, then backward - word at a time. It may sound weird, but you notice more readily the incorrect words. They seem to stand out and shout 'I'm in the wrong place'. I also have issues with punctuation, but that is improving. I have notes all around with important points of grammar Past and passed is one I have great trouble with and often have put hear for here. These are the obvious things, the times when the words start to wobble, usually mean I need to rest as I don't often get that anymore. I hope this helps. Keep at it. It is worth it.
Eviane: I hope you get your copy soon.
Ps. I always write my posts in word and check them before sending - mind I've noticed a few errors at times.
I got my copy this morning and read your story. I had a lump in my throat. I loved the story. I just wanted to put my arms around Mia and tell her everything would be alright. I think Louise did the better job though. I liked the idea of the hiding place under the table. We all have one, young or old, some place to feel safe.
Without going over board with the praise I want to acknowledge your achievement with your dyslexia. Both my sons are dyslexic and have had to over come a system that labels them as stupid.
Where did The idea for the story and the obvious empathy you as the writer had for Mia come from?
You ask how I empathised with Mia: Firstly the lovely picture that went with the entry details gave me an idea of Mia. The other things came from leaning on how I have felt through my dyslexia and hiding in the school cloak room after being laughed out of the class because I couldn't spell chicken and was made to write it on the board five times, each time was incorrect. I fled. I suppose that helped.
I can still remember it vividly. Many incidents like this gave me lots to lean on when writing. It makes my writing better or at least I hope it does.
When writing an argument I've been known to get so involved in the argument on screen that when I've been telephoned I picked it up and shouted at the person on the other end. I now don't answer the phone when writing. I let the answer phone do it for me.
You can tell from your writing how involved you are with your characters. You bring them to life on the page.
Your memory of school reminded me of an writing exercise our group was given. It was to write a piece of dialogue between two people. The one I picked I call "Going Back" It was set in a primary school and involved a father going back to his old school to pick up his child. He meets a teacher who had been a bully and humiliated him when he was nine. I tell you it really cleared the air.
Alhough the humiliation had happened, the meeting of the teacher did not, at least in the place called reality. It really did take place in my mind as I put it down on paper.
I find that more and more of Martin(thats me)is reaching the page as i continue to write.
The News from Talkback is in WN.
This is the item of yours that was quoted: 'Well, this week I broke through the 50,000 word mark on my first draft- I know it's quality not quantity that counts.....I find the words come much faster and more easily if I do a sensible amount of thinking and planning ahead.'
I've quoted the beginning and the end, but I'm sure you'll know which thread it's from.
I'm sure a few members of the forum have had work published as a result of items mentioned, as I remember someone mentioning it a few months ago.
Hippo, definitely take the pigeon pair - you'll find you'll get more than you imagined from both publications. They are well worth it.
I've been in and out of hospital so have yet to read the issue. But well done. It seems to take some doing. I've never tried; been rather put off!
It just shows that a successful story doesn't always needs twists and turns, simplicity works too - you have inspired me, Susan!