Re-Writes

I am about to re-write 2 stories for People's Friend, which have come back to me (very promptly again-1 week). I have a good feeling about one story, which was one of those which just seemed to flow, obviously it's not flowing in the right direction as yet, but I don't want to give up on it. Having said that, I do get that sinking feeling when I get a reply such as '..the storyline was too weak to sustain the reader's interest...' It's hard not to feel a bit down, but I suppose they know exactly what they're after, whereas I'm just going for a best guess, based on the other published stories in the mag. I'm just not getting it quite right. I need to keep the overall feel, whilst adding a bit more intrigue if possible... I hope that's the case anyway and if I keep trying I'll manage another hit with them. The other story had more of a comment, saying that the ending was lovely, but the beginning was a bit down-beat. In this case, that's really helpful to me, just perk up the beginning!
I think I might give Woman's Weekly a go again, I've got a story that's had some nice comments from various mags, but it's a bit unusual, I wonder if WW might go for it? I've never had anything more than a standard reply from them, but I know their stories vary a lot, so it might be worth a try?

Thanks to the cats

I've managed to re write a third attempt for a PF story, which came back as having too predictable an outcome. I suppose I'd have to agree, so I'm posting it off again tomorrow, I hope it's an improvement.

However, something has just cheered me up immensely, I just mooched over to Spikethecat only to find the results are out already for the comp, they weren't due until 31 March, and although I didn't win, I'm one of ten selected for publication in the book! I'm so pleased. Thanks to my cats who were the inspiration for the story!

Inspiration

Inspiration comes from so many different sources, my favourite is a fabulous vivid dream, many a time I wake up and frantically scribble down a brilliant plot, like a movie I have just watched in my sleep, sometimes it's still dark so I scrawl in pencil on whatever's to hand. In the morning I have to decipher my scrawl, which is great fun in itself. I love those dreams! I've not actually had one of those for a few weeks, but I have notes about two that haven't quite turned into stories yet, but i will have a go when I get chance. Anyone else get those?
However, my cats have inspired a recent story, the one I entered in a comp, not sure if it's any good, but I enjoyed the writing, it was meant to be funny but I've not entirely sure I've nailed humour, writing wise. I admire anyone who can write humour, it's not easy is it?

I was just looking for an older post and wondered where it had vanished to. Then realised it is now March, so it's under a February list. Honestly! (sigh)It's March, where is the year going?

This is a nice sunny picture taken last March in Torquay, so I can remember what a sunny day looks like.

I'm regretting sending off my novel to a publisher last Nov as I really need to change
a few things, especially the last chapter. I don't suppose it matters because they only have the first three chapters. I just feel very amateurish, but I am, so I suppose that's ok. I've been meaning to do it since Jan and haven't touched it, too busy with short story submissions, I'm on a bit of a roll there, so I have to just go with it!