New Year, catching up and reading poetry on trains

First post of the New Year. I heard about my novella at the end of December - didn't get on the shortlist. Oh well. Yes, I was disappointed but when I went back to it I realised that the opening isn't strong enough. I had already changed it once before I entered it for the competition, but it can be improved and will be! I had the idea of submitting it somewhere else. However, looking at the criteria for this particular place I'm not sure if it falls into their categories (sci-fi and fantasy). My story is more supernatural. My other problem is it's length. Very few competitions exist that take word counts of around 15,000 words. I still like the story. I'll take another look at it sometime and see what revisions I think it needs.

My 10p copy of War and Peace with  cover
sellotaped together!

I'm still trying to catch up on magazines and am now well into War and Peace, Dare I say I'm quite enjoying it now! I think I will watch the TV adaptation. It might help me clarify things, but the book has definitely become more interesting. Part of the problem is getting into that mindset of reading books written so long ago. They style of writing is so different. A lot of the books I read I fast paced, and this is a slow one. Once I accepted it I began to enjoy it.

On a different note I often see posts or articles stating that people are never seen reading poetry on trains. I must be an exception then because I do. If the book I am reading is too big to carry around I take whatever else I have to read - writing magazines, poetry books and small press magazines, even On Religion, a magazine I consider one of the best multi-faith magazines (subscription only). I love looking to see what other people are reading (I'm just so nosy) and I don't mind it they look at what I'm reading. Poetry books are handy sized reads and often fit into my handbag. Maybe we should make this the year of reading poetry on a train - let everyone know it's cool to read poetry. Who is with me? Why not take a photo to prove it too!

Reviewing the year

It's that time of year when one looks back on what one has achieved over the year.  For me I feel I have had the best year ever for my writing and I finally feel as if something is happening.  I am spending longer writing, I've actually got back into writing stories (which I never thought would happen) maybe because I am writing for myself and not aiming it at a particular market.  I just don't write those stories you see in women's magazines.  I read them occasionally but I don't write them.  I am not sure where my writing would fit in but I am enjoying it, whether it's good or bad!

To assess my achievements this year:

• I have had seven poems printed in the Open University Poets Workbook, one of which I am hoping will make it to the Anthology (only one poem per member is published and it comes down to members votes).  Those poems left will be freed up to submit elsewhere.
• Four poems published in Areopagus, one was a competition winner (£10 prize)
• Runner up in an online poetry competition with Foyles (signed copy of a book)
• Two poems published with What the Dickens? magazine
• Runner up with Poetry Forum (online) (£5 Amazon voucher).

Against that I have had eight poems rejected but I still have five 'out there' waiting for a yes or no. I entered my first pamphlet competition which I am still waiting to hear on also and have taken part in several poetry courses/workshops/forums throughout the year.

So what is next?  Well, keep writing for one.  Target some different small press magazines, enter competitions, just keep on doing what I'm doing and network!

My proudest achievement is being published in What the Dickens?  The feeling that gave me was wonderful and I was actually shaking when I heard.

I'm looking forward to the Small Stones writing (begins tomorrow) and reading the contributions of others taking part.

I find New Year exciting ...new starts, new adventures, new skills to learn.  I hope your New Year will also be both exciting and rewarding.  Cheers!

Looking forward

When I've managed to drag myself away from the TV I have been using some time to catch up on my magazine pile and I actually wrote a poem on Boxing Day morning!

Some while ago I told you that I'd never read a book by Margaret Atwood.  Well, before Christmas I bought a few books in charity shops (I was looking for stocking presents but the books caught my eye!).  Anyway, I bought The Handmaid's Tale, perhaps Atwood's best known book and I am nearly half way through it, having started it on Boxing Day.  I was craving for a book as at present I am waiting for the next Book Club read, and this is really compelling.  Set in the future in a world with a repressive state and where the only option to young women is to breed.  There is so much more to find out in this book.

The New Year is fast approaching.  I have blank diary for 2012 yet I already have lots to put into it.  I find the New Year an exciting time.  New beginnings beckon.  I make all sorts of half-hearted plans but I still find it a positive time.  January can be a depressing time, an anti-climax after Christmas and especially when the tree and decorations are packed away, but soon the days will gradually lengthen and before you know it new growth will appear in gardens followed by bright spring flowers. Can't you feel a poem or story coming on?   Around this time of year my Dad always used to say 'spring is just round the corner'.  We always laughed, but he was right.  Then longest day has gone and things are on the up!