SHORT STORY WRITER

I haven’t made my first short story sale yet for 2012. I have had an article accepted though … woo hoo! I’ve written four new stories so far this year and am working on three others which are in the drafting stage. My latest short story was inspired by pics I saw on The Librarian’s blog. I started writing this story and hit a brick wall when my muse decided to go on vacation. Mr Muse recently returned (I think he missed me) and the rest of the story flowed with ease. It’s not the usual story I would write. I do enjoy challenging myself. Pushing those boundaries. Exploring new territory. And I had so much fun writing it! I’ve submitted the short story feeling hopeful and dare I say, confident? Time will tell.

While I wait to hear some news on those two novel manuscript proposals I’ve sent to Pan MacMillan I’ve taken the author cap off and donned the short story writer cap.

Come on Muse back to short story drafting. Slave driver you say? I wink at him. Welcome home Muse!

Keep writing….

GENERAL MEETING OF THE MUSES

Fear not fellow writers. If you, like me, are having problems stringing together a sentence I have heard on the grape vine aka the muse vine that there is a general meeting of the muses. They are all there on a tropical island, sipping cocktails, enjoying the sun and laughing at our demise. Fear not, they will return (ETA unknown at this stage) but they need us as much as we need them. (Important that we believe this.)

Meanwhile there is a way to entice the little bugger back; go for a walk and indulge your senses, read a book or a batch of short stories, dig out those old stories and give them a revamp. Read inspiring blogs! Write a blog post - even if it is to express your desperation (like me). Inspiration could be just around the corner, sometimes you just have to go look for it!

The muse shall return... hopefully sooner rather than later :-)

Please come home muse....

FROM THE MUSE

I woke Diane up at 1.30am this morning (chuckle, chuckle). She told me to go away but my persistence won over in the end. Her memory of ignoring me on previous occasions was pretty sharp and back then although she told herself she'd write it all down in the morning she sat there, pen poised with a blank look on her face. Diane kicked herself so many times for ignoring me, the pain of the bruising lingered on for some time.
So there she was in the early hours writing like a woman possessed, and if I may say so myself, Diane was impressed with the material I had on for offer. She stumbled back into bed grumbling something that sounded like a vague gesture of thanks.
Her little one woke her at 5.30am sharp (more chuckles) and as Diane recalled the night before she flung open her note pad and realising our encounter was not a dream, a wide grin spread across her tired face. I'm feeling quite chuffed that Diane is excited about her new writing project; perhaps now she will pay particular attention when I present her with words that flow, instead of telling me where to go.
So beware writers because I, the muse, may strike at any time of the day or night in any location whether you're prepared or not, and although your first impression of my timing may be a hostile one, make an effort; take heed and listen. But most importantly write it down. I can promise you it will be worth your while. Trust me, you'll be glad that you did!

The Muse