Monthly Archives: January 2011

Wanted: Lincolnshire Poet Laureate

Posted on January 31, 2011 by blogaboutwriting

I’m not complaining but when I was Warwick Poet Laureate, I wasn’t paid and most Regional Poet Laureate positions are the same – ie: honorary. There were plenty of benefits though, not least some ‘commissioned’ poetry, the offer of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 7 Comments

Starting That Novel… (Feel The Fear!)

Posted on January 30, 2011 by blogaboutwriting

Writing Buddy Sally Jenkins and I went to novelist Martin Davies’ ‘Novel Writing Starter Kit’ in lovely Mackworth library in Derby yesterday and had a really enjoyable time. I’m sure Sally will be writing about it over on her blog … Continue reading →

Posted in Ideas | 8 Comments

The Ups And Downs Of Life – And Writing

Posted on January 26, 2011 by blogaboutwriting

“Make it personal”, they said, when I announced I was going to write a blog. “Let the readers see the ‘real you’”. Well.. er.. OK then: Over the past couple of weeks, I have, I must confess: 1. Failed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Ideas | 5 Comments

‘The Help’ – Book Recommendation

Posted on January 20, 2011 by blogaboutwriting

My friend kept raving about a book she’d read. She was comparing it to ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, which is her all-time-favourite. “You have to read it!” she said. “It’s fantastic. I’m going to buy it for you!” And she … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Ideas | 7 Comments

Competition Prizes – Disappointment

Posted on January 18, 2011 by blogaboutwriting

😦 It’s dark and it’s cold and it’s time for me to have a little moan… Back in August 2010, I came third in an on-line short story competition, run by a British chick-lit writer. I was thrilled to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitions, Short Stories | 2 Comments

Woman’s Weekly – Letter to Writers

Posted on January 17, 2011 by blogaboutwriting

As a ‘regular contributor’ to Woman’s Weekly’s fiction pages (well, 6 stories accepted so far!), I’ve just received an email from the magazine’s Fiction Editor, Gaynor Davies and Assistant Fiction Editor, Clare Cooper, with some useful tips and advice, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Magazines, Short Stories | 24 Comments

100 Stories for Queensland – Contributions Invited by 28th January 2011

Posted on January 13, 2011 by blogaboutwriting

Thanks to Nick Daws for posting details of this new short story anthology in aid of victims of the recent floods in Australia. Like 100 Stories for Haiti and 50 Stories for Pakistan – both of which Nick was also … Continue reading →

Posted in Short Stories | Leave a comment

Ten (Writing-Related) Things To Do In January!

Posted on January 11, 2011 by blogaboutwriting

1. Have a clear out! Is your PC full of half-finished stories or poems that didn’t quite make the grade? Read through them. Can they be salvaged or re-written? You might be surprised what you find and ‘tidying’ is very … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Competitions, Ideas, Poetry, Short Stories | 2 Comments

Write Invite – Join in The Fun!

Posted on January 6, 2011 by blogaboutwriting

I’m not sure how you’re all finding me (ah, the wonders of the web!) but this site has been attracting lots of visitors from outside the UK (33 different countries at the last count, including Vietnam and Saudi Arabia!) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Competitions, Ideas | 10 Comments

Happy New Year!

Posted on January 1, 2011 by blogaboutwriting

Happy New Year to you all and I hope your writing dreams – however big or small – come true in 2011! It’s been a grey miserable day here, weather-wise: all the snow’s gone and the countryside looks a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Ideas | Leave a comment