New Year's Resolutions

Well, it's arrived - 2012. And another chance to list those resolutions which, in my experience, generally last about five minutes! But this year it's going to be different - no really. Having lost two very special friends to cancer in 2011, I'm acutely aware of my own mortality and the need to get down on paper all the storylines that have been buzzing around in  my head for far too long. Procrastination is no longer a recognised concept!

So I've drafted out a writing timetable for January to March with targets and realistic deadlines. Because I know I respond better when under a bit of pressure, I've built in a couple of competitions with closing dates end January and end February. (My Tax Return might get in the way of the January deadline!)

I am resolved to make 2012 the most productive year yet! If there's anyone out there ready to share my resolution, I'd love to hear from you. Happy New Year.

Raring to Write: Pull Out All the Stops

Raring to Write: Pull Out All the Stops: I've just finished reading 'Pull Out all the Stops' by Geraldine McCaughrean, a sequel to 'Stop the Train'. Much of the action takes p...

Follow-up to Perthsire Open Studios

Delighted to feature in Saturday's (3rd)  Scotsman magazine which ran an item on eight Perthshire artists, including Kyla Tomlinson and self. The editor contacted me, having got my name from the POS brochure and it went from there. She was particularly interested in the mix of text and image so maybe that's worth thinking about for future projects. Anyone out there involved in any similar kind of collaboration? Love to hear from you.
                                                               Mature Pole Dancer

Now, however, I'm continuing to enter as many short story competitions as possible to keep me writing to deadlines!

Pull Out All the Stops

I've just finished reading 'Pull Out all the Stops' by Geraldine McCaughrean, a sequel to 'Stop the Train'.  Much of the action takes place  on a storm-damaged Mississippi paddle steamer during the late eighteenth century. The narrative is fast-moving, funny and hugely enjoyable, But, above all, it's  superbly written in a style sparking with originality and fizzing with humour. Anyone who is seriously interested in writing, whether for children or adults, should read her work. Every page just dances with original images: describing the storm-swollen river, 'And when it has made its point, and withdrawn, it leaves behind flotsam, like a drunkard's tip on the bar.' Or, talking about Cissy, the central character, 'Cissy sat back down in her chair, tears pressing her eyes like cows in a cattle crib.'  - Wonderful stuff!

Short Story Competitions

Having set aside the novel for the moment (trying to pluck up courage for a major redraft!), I've been exploring short story competitions to provide motivational deadlines to keep me writing. There are so many of these that it can be very confusing but this month's edition of the magazine 'Writing' provides a selection of interesting ones. I've also spent some time checking out useful websites which list current competitions for all genres. Here are three that I've found useful in providing links to rules, entry forms etc. www.firstwriter.com (need to subscriber to this one but it's pretty cheap), www.theshortstory.org.uk/prizes and www.jbwb.co.uk/writingcomps.htm
Happy writing! And do keep me posted about any aspect of writing you'd like to discuss.

Perthshire Open Studios - How did it all go?

Last post told you about the latest collaboration with artist, Kyla Tomlinson. These are a few images from the 'Candid Cameos' exhibition we put together for September's Perthshire Open Studios week. Hugely enjoyable but seriously tiring! The sun room was converted to a studio and, once the weather deteriorated, the lounge area into a coffee shop!
Lots of very complimentary feedback and very encouraging sales of stories, books and prints. Made a number of excellent contacts and met some really interesting people. It was a great adventure which I'd tackle again  but with some slight changes to direction now I'm not an entire novice!
If you're serious about getting your writing (and your name) out there, then I'd recommend exploring all possible avenues, including this kind of collaboration with another artist from a different medium. Go for it! What's been your experience of getting your writing to new audiences? I'd love to hear from you.

Raring to Write: Collaborating with others to get your writing out ...

Raring to Write: Collaborating with others to get your writing out ...: I've joined forces with a young artist in an exhibition of text and image. I wrote several short stories around the theme of characters we m...