It's a step and it feels like one, when launching a story into the maw of potential publishers. It used to be an actual trip to the post office. Now, not so much. What it entails is a dash to a deadline, other times a carefully considered effort to fit a piece to the journal where you … Continue reading Story decision making
Notes on Writing Related Stuff
Collected work – in progress
I'm in the midst of editing and putting together some of my short stories. My novella is in competition stasis and while I thought I had time to enter it in a slightly later competition for novellas I was wrong. So, because of submission overlap and the fact this second competition is accepting novellas but … Continue reading Collected work – in progress
Writing year steps up into new a gear
The thing about resolutions for the new year is they're generally forgotten by mid January. It's why, traditionally, I never used to bother. You can't break a promise you don't make. But lo, I've reached mid January and I'm about to tick one of my resolutions off the list. I'm heading to a writing workshop. It's … Continue reading Writing year steps up into new a gear
Writing Resolutions 2016
My writing resolutions kinda worked for 2015, so what the hey, the below will do for this next 12 months. Given that writing just involves me, but publication involves a myriad of other factors and people, I can only work on what I can personally control. And I can only control me. Well I say control. … Continue reading Writing Resolutions 2016
Say it aint so, going totally NaNoWriMo
Uh oh Can't say I'm too much of a bandwagonny joiner type, but I've just gone and signed up to write a novel in a month. Given it took the best part of a year for me to write a novella as part of a thesis, I'm a lil bit worried. But at least I don't … Continue reading Say it aint so, going totally NaNoWriMo
How a story is a horse, of course
Writing has been hard work. I've had trouble getting from the end of the middle of one story, to its conclusion, which I've worked out. And, with my novella, I've begun fixing everything I've realised is wrong with it, but it takes a while to warm up. I'm not feeling the mojo, in other words, … Continue reading How a story is a horse, of course
Examining writing rules
Sometimes when you learn a lesson, it really takes. Sometimes a lesson becomes a code or a creed to live by or write by and thus become a part of you. I've had a lot of writing advisors, some were actual teachers, and lecturers, and others were found via books or online or just in … Continue reading Examining writing rules
Lessons from rejection
Where I have the most experience as a creative writer is in the submission rejection process. No, no need to get all sympathetic and tut tut. It's true and it maybe true for a while yet, for a myriad of reasons. On the bright side it indicates I'm still sending stuff out there. And that's … Continue reading Lessons from rejection
At cross porpoises
Chances are, you, like me, had never heard of the Vaquita Porpoise until recently. If you have, it's because there are now less than 100 in the wild. We humans think we own this joint, and that we've conquered it. Humans describe it in terms of our economies and resources. But most of us barely know it. It's … Continue reading At cross porpoises
Doctor Who: Concepts for Writers
Writers need to consider specifics in the creation of their narratives. For instance, they need to put a bit of thought into names and plot developments. But apart from this, there are the large concepts that should at least be thought about, if not addressed directly. Some of these concepts are time, emotion, relationships and environment. … Continue reading Doctor Who: Concepts for Writers
Writing Bec 