It has been a long time between posts, for which I must apologise. The last post was on 29th June, that's three weeks ago. I have not missed publishing a blog for that long in quite some time. I can't change that, so I'd better get writing then.
It's always a struggle to know what to write about, and although I have been trying to keep adding topics to my Substack, this week, I need to write about the trials and tribulations of writing for my blog readers.
As anyone who knows me, writing brings me great joy and piece. It is perfect for my well-being. For example, I take half an hour at lunchtime to write somewhere at work. Surprisingly, it gives me a break from the twin-screen setup I have to work on, and, depending on the role I'm undertaking, it could also be answering a never-ending series of phone calls. Sitting somewhere quiet and peaceful for half an hour and writing between three to five hundred words sets me up for the final few hours before it's time for home.
Over the last few months, I have been working on my novel's rewrite/first edit. It has been going well, and I'm starting to feel that a publishable piece of work is beginning to appear.
I did a bit of no-no for a writer and asked some colleagues at work to read a scene I had rewritten. I got very pleasing and remarkably positive reactions. I experienced a little upset, too, which I don't intend to write about. It has also put me on a setback for the past week. It took several days to get back to writing. I also sought advice from a couple of professional writer friends, and let's say I won't be doing that again.
On Tuesday, I joined a regular Zoom workshop that I enjoy attending. I wondered how to get on, but I did not need to worry. The lovely Jenny, who runs the workshop, announced that we would work on Flash Fiction this week. If you are unfamiliar with Flash Fiction, it is a concise story with a word count ranging from just a few words to as many as two thousand words.
The shortest story ever written, 'For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn,' is attributed to Ernest Hemingway. This story conveys many feelings. In six simple words, it is fantastic.
After a few exercises, we ended the evening by writing a hundred-word story about a key. I wrote a story of eighty-two words, which works, and yet I have another eighteen words to use. That's a considerable amount. I can return to it in a few days, polish it up, and get the story closer to a hundred words. It could become an entry to a competition.
I have entered Flash Fiction competitions before, and one of the competitions is the Bath Flash Fiction Award, a rolling international competition. This competition is for a three-hundred-word story and awards prizes of £1000, £300 and £100 with two commendations of £30. As with all stories, these must have a beginning, middle and end. It attracts many high-calibre entries. The following Bath Flash Fiction Award deadline is midnight on 6th October. Should I give it a go?
Writing competitions are OK if they are genuine. Bath Flash Fiction is legit, but there are a lot of scams out there, and you need to be careful. Another consideration about entering competitions is whether you have the time. I have seven writing projects underway, with full-time work, a social life, and remembering that the dog has to be walked and the lawn cut. It's a It's life. I'll definitely pass on that opportunity for now.
I aim to return to my productivity levels this week compared to the previous few weeks. I am at a sticky point in my rewrite/edit, so I'm writing some new scenes to add to the initial draft. I knew where to go with the story, but I had to get OmniOutliner up and running with my previous plans and work out what was happening. It is all quite positive, though.
There we are, then. Have a great week, everybody. The weather might be a bit rubbish over the weekend, but it looks better next week.
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