With only ?? days left to Christmas thought I'd better get this out quickly as the year is whizzing by at breakneck speed. I'm settling into the rhythm of my MA course now. We have to submit 2,000 words of a WIP by midnight on Wednesday, in time to review and feedback to other members of the workshop on Monday evening. So the first half of the week is polishing the piece I'm submitting, followed by reading and reviewing the work coming from the rest of the group (5 of us in each group). With the time left I have to keep up with the reading list. And then work on the novel, short stories and any features I have commissioned. At times it's a bit scary. One day last week I worked on: a radio drama, the novel and started a new short story. By the end of the day I didn't know which head I was in! But it felt good to be writing, in the words of Simon Whaley I really was a 'positively productive writer' - well for one day at least.
This weekend I'm attending a course on writing sitcoms for TV and Radio - will report back soon.
October STATS:
Write 1 Sub 1:
New - 1 x short story, 1 x filler
Total subs - 13
Income: Zilch. (I only count income when it turns up, so though I had a success in October I haven't yet received the goodies.)
The Good News:
Winner of Hysteria 2013 Short Story competition - just waiting for my story and interview to appear on their website (watch this space).
Feature commissioned by Writing Magazine.
On final shortlist for another competition, judging still in progress (trotters crossed!)
The Not-so-good News: unsuccessful in the following ...
Telegraph JustBack travel competition (again). Flash 500. Little Pieces of Gold (10 min play). The Word Hut short story competition.
Other projects:
Currently extending a 20 min radio drama (more on that in November round up...) to 45 min length with intention of submitting to BBC.
One short story still out with a womag.
Novel is up to 10,000 words and still growing.
What have you been up to? Any successes to shout about? Please share.
Keep writing and submitting...
Yes, that's definitely productive! And, you're right to only count income when it drops into your hands ... I've had occasions where it's been promised and then doesn't fail to arrive! Good luck with your current projects!
ReplyDeleteToo true on income, Simon. Thanks for dropping by :)
DeleteThe good news beats any bad, Tracy - a fabulous win!
ReplyDeleteAlways, Wendy! And of course good news is an excuse to celebrate with teacakes.
DeleteYou're doing really well, Tracy - well done on the successes! And you're doing the course!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosemary :) It does feel like some of the hard work is paying off right now.
DeleteWell Done Tracy - really looking forward to reading your winning story. And I noticed you were shortlisted in the Ink Tears Flash so well done on that too. Two comps I came nowhere in! No sour grapes, honest :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracey. Don't worry will post a link as soon as they put up the story! Oddly, I was pretty pleased with Inktears shortlisting as I've never done well in any of their comps before. And you know it's all swings and roundabouts for writing comps - just keep writing. You will do well in others & I will come nowhere!!
DeleteCongratulations on your win!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patsy :)
DeleteLots to celebrate here, Tracy. I, too, keep trying and failing to get something accepted by the JustBack bods. Guess I'm just not going anywhere exotic enough. On the plus side, I do have a feature in the latest issue of Freelance Market News and have, fingers crossed, just had another feature commissioned elsewhere. Onwards!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately with JustBack there are only so many holidays to write up! Terrific to hear about your other feature successes, thanks for sharing, Julia. Keep writing!
DeleteWell done on Hysteria, Tracy! And, like you and Julia, I keep failing with Just Back. It would be interesting to know how many entries they get each week.
ReplyDelete