The winner of my giveaway – the Mumsnet ‘Children’s Book of Bedtime Stories’, featuring my story ‘Allie To the Rescue’, about a plucky alpaca (try saying that when you’ve had a drink), is… drumroll… Carneika Washbrook.
Carneika’s name was picked out of the paper bag by my trusty OH, as he dashed out to a business meeting this morning (odd to see him in a suit. It was like having a stranger in the house). I’ve been in touch with Carneika (who blogs in lots of places, including here) and the book will be on its way to her tomorrow.
And In The News…
1. I am trying to do Julia Cameron’s ‘Morning Pages‘. I started off quite well but like Snow White, I’ve drifted. I will try to get back on track and then tell you all about it another time.
2. I’m not into football AT ALL (boring! Why do they even bother with the first half?) but I was interested in this news article: Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s highest-paid footballers (and someone even I’ve heard of), was asked to describe himself in ‘one word’ in a TV interview recently.
What one word would you give, if you were asked that question? (Actually, I think I’d say ‘tired’, which isn’t particularly thrilling, is it?)
Anyway, everyone was rather surprised when the answer he gave was… ‘NORMAL’. Bless ‘im. Read all about it here.
3. Nobel Prize For Literature
How lovely that Alice Munro has won the Nobel Prize for Literature (can you imagine the thrill?! I’m pleased when I get a letter published in a magazine..).
Apparently, her daughter woke her up to tell her the news.
I expect the scene went something like this. “Morning, Mum. There’s your cup of tea. I’ll just prop your pillows up. Oh, and by the way, you’ve won the Nobel Prize for Literature! Yes, honestly. The kids are downstairs, bookmarking the pages in the Argos catalogue. Money? Oh yes. There’s a bit of money – “ (it’s actually £770,000 but I’m sure it’s all about the honour, rather than the cash!)
Apart from it being good for a woman to win (only the 13th woman to win the Literature Prize!), it’s great news because Alice Munro is the master (mistress?) of the short story (she’s been compared many times, to Chekhov), SO that’s going to do wonders for the profile of short stories and might even convince a few more publishers to actually publish them!
And I’m saying all this, not having ever (to my shame) read a single Alice Munro short story! (Well, I might have read one or two but I’ve never read a whole collection!). So, I’ve rectified that now, by downloading this one onto my Kobo today:
Blog About Writing 
Good luck with Morning pages – I do this Mon-Frid and find it very cathartic to get stuff out of my head first thing (only do 1-2 pages). It was wonderful to hear about Alice Munro – for once a writer I’d heard of and have actually read. I’ve read her Selected Stories and have ‘Runaway’ still to read, so please share what you think of her latest collection. I enjoy her writing, but some ‘long’ stories can be, well, er, a bit long … She’s not fond of the happy ending either …
Interesting, Tracy. Both that you do Morning Pages and what you think about Alice Munro! Wanted to start the book of short stories last night but I’d been out with friends for a meal and I was too tired. I think the Nobel Prize Winning author deserves my full attention, not half a brain! So hopefully I will find some time over the weekend (it’s rainy out there!) to read some and yes, I’ll let you know what I think!
If asked to describe myself in one word, I’d say tipsy – just enjoying early glass of wine on first evening of long weekend in Exmoor.
‘Tipsy’ is much better than ‘tired’, Wendy! Good for you! Hope the weather is good for you on Exmoor!
Enjoy Dear Life! It is one of my favorite Munro collections.
Once, some years ago, an issue of Woman’s Weekly Fiction Special included a story by Alice Munro. We womagwriters are in top company!
I also cheered when I heard the news about Alice Munro. See, short stories are ‘proper’ writing too!
I was thrilled that Alice Munro won the prize. She has long been one of my favourite writers and I eagerly snap up each new collection. It’s difficult to use her as a role model though, because her short stories are rather long and mean something. The short and snappy favoured by most publishers are not in that league.