Lovely Cover Art

This is the cover art for the anthology 'The Last Laugh' from Spikethecat, which will have my story in! It's based on the winning story, I can't wait to read all the stories and see the book. The e book will be available soon, I'm so excited! :)

I've also just read the excellent 'How to write a synopsis' by Cindy Davis, over at Minxes of Romance and am determined to re write the synopsis of the children's novel and get on with sending it somewhere else.

Have a great weekend everyone, best be off, little tabby is really misbehaving today, must be something in the air! x

Happy Sunshine!

Wow it's hot!!
I have made it through two exceptionally hot (compared to he dreariness us brits are used to) days, without burning my milky white skin! Factor 40! I've been good, coming in out of the sun at midday and such, wearing a hat to avoid the usual headache.
I've been painting in the garden, with my cats trying their best to knock over my brush water. It's been so lovely. sigh.
I have written a short story also and have subbed it by email today, so I'm feeling pretty good about a productive day so far.
I hope you're all enjoying the weather, whatever you're up to, and be careful not to burn!
Just off to make tea now, I really don't want to put the oven on! Arrgh!

Drawings

I decided to put drawings and talk of said drawings on another blog,
doodle days, if any one is remotely interested in such things. This is in the hope of keeping focused on each hobby seperately. I say 'hobby' but it's more than that, but it doesn't earn a living and it's not full time so that's what they are at the mo.
I have just put my pic of Jack Sparrow on as I can't find my kitten drawings! Not to worry, I'm sure I've got them saved somewhere, otherwise I'll have to scan them all in again :) Haha, keeps me busy!

And Another...

Rejection, that is. Not to worry. This one was from Woman's Day, the Australian magazine which admittedly I haven't researched so didn't expect much. That's an important rule isn't it? Research your market! I know, I know. Ok, will consider myself told off.
However, I've just sent off another story to WW to keep up the numbers!

ask the author -great endings

For anyone who is unfamiliar with Spikethecat, Richard Hallows has a regular post 'ask the author'. Sue Moorcroft, Sharon Bolton and Adrian Magson give some insight into their writing. Latest post here
Also, there is a flash fiction comp at the moment, 200 words, £1 entry fee, winning entries to go in an e book, there are also several books to win, more details here
I once had a 60 word story in Chat magazine, they don't do them anymore, but that was thrilling at the time, unfortunately I never actually saw it as I missed the copy by the time I was informed my contribution had gone in! I've kept the letter though for my very thin portfolio. I have a very fat folder also, filled with rejection letters, just so I can read the many different ways I have been told 'No thanks'.

Scary Stuff

Having a children's novel published has been my goal for (ahem) many years. However, when I imagine this dream becoming a reality, I always skirt around the changes it would probably mean to my life. A lot of published authors talk of promoting their work, interviews, talks in schools, newspaper interviews, social networking and book signings. I must admit it all seems a bit frightening, which has made me question whether I'm putting a hundred percent into my writing efforts? Am I afraid of what might happen? I'd like to think that if I ever get that wonderful letter/email/phone call that starts the dream rolling, then I'd take it all in my stride. I hope so, anyway. As a writer, I just want to see my book on the shelves!
Anyone else have the same fears? When I started writing as a teenager, I naively thought that I'd just post off the MS, sit back and wait for the cheques to roll in. Haha. HaHa. Ha.