Showing posts with label Womans World. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Womans World. Show all posts

Sunday, February 01, 2009

The "R" and What To Do With It

"You must want to enough. Enough to take all the rejections, enough to pay the price of disappointment and discouragement while you are learning. Like any other artist you must learn your craft—then you can add all the genius you like." - Phyllis A. Whitney

I heard back from Womans World yesterday... finally... and it was a rejection. This time, I didn't even get a note. I DID get their new submissions guidelines (and it may be part of why I was rejected) -- their short romance stories now must be 800 words.

Eight. Hundred. Words.

When I first started trying to write for them, their word count was 1,100. Then it went to 1,000. Then 900. Dear heavens to betsy, no wonder some of the stories are so inane.

In any case (and, I know I've said it before), I think I'm done trying to write for them. Not only do I clearly not know what they're looking for (and I read their story every week, so I don't know why I can't seem to catch on), but trying to write something readable in 800 words is more than I want to try. At least for now.

BUT...

I really loved this little story. It's another short piece about falling in love despite all the misfortunes that occur and I had a lot of fun writing it. OTOH, I really loved my characters (especially the hero) and was sort of sad that it would only ever by a 900 word piece (because I was CERTAIN WW would take it this time... ha!). Now, though, I have a great opportunity to expand this little story into something bigger. And, I'm strangely excited by that.

Since my "Liv" sequel is giving me fits, I may use this story as the foil to my fantasy as I write for JaNoWriMo next month. I love my fantasy, but it's kind of dark and I need to escape sometimes... this would be perfect.

Speaking of JaNoWriMo, a new month of it starts TODAY. YAY!

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I started Dakota on her probiotics yesterday -- I finally found some for dogs, but they are ABSURDLY expensive, so I'm looking into getting people probiotics. I can't imagine (aside from not being liver flavored, lol) that they are all that different. I'll just need to figure out the dosage.

I hope this helps.

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This is something I don't like to read... from Accuweather.com:

AccuWeather.com is predicting snow for the big cities along the Northeast's Interstate 95 corridor early this coming week as a storm races up the East Coast. This storm may be followed by several more as the unfolding weather pattern seems to indicate a stormy February and early March.

It goes on to say one good thing:

On a positive note, unlike the crippling storm that brought destructive icing to the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys earlier this past week, this storm will be quick-moving and only allow for mainly rain and snow. While a little ice can't be completely ruled out, it will not be nearly as big of a threat as it was with the last storm.

The good part? THE GROUNDHOG WON'T SEE HIS SHADOW!!!

Woot!

Early spring, early spring, early spring... nananananannana!

:-)

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You Are Copper



You are provocative and challenging. You help people realize who they really are.

You live a very balanced life. You always take time for love and art.



You are both a powerful and generous person. You always have time to give back.

People find you to be incredibly ethical and loyal.



I don't feel very balanced... but if Blogthings says I am, I must be!!

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Saturday, October 04, 2008

The Ants Go Marching...

“Turn on the prudent ant thy heedful eyes. Observe her labors, sluggard, and be wise.” - Samuel Johnson

I wish I'd had my camera with me yesterday, but I wasn't outside to take pictures, I was outside to work like a dog (not MY dog, but...) -- DH and I worked on cleaning up two oaks he'd taken down two weeks ago, prior to the non-stop rains.

He'd chopped them into 12" chunks (we have a small stove, but it's POWERFUL) and then decided to use the maul and chop them in half. Lo and behold: the bottom, oh five feet, of the tree was full of carpenter ants.

I was alternately grossed out and fascinated. And I have to admit to feeling a little bad as I watched the adults rush around grabbing eggs and larvae. What good parents they are!

And the pathways were amazing and intricate. They really are interesting little critters. Unfortunately, they are also firmly on the "bad bug" list (and yes, we do allow the tiny black ants to live -- as long as they stay outside -- because they don't eat our house), so it was left to me to spray the logs and kill them (sadly... I don't kill bugs well). I still feel rotten about it.

DH said, "I knew that tree had ants. That's why I took it down."

Yep... uh huh...

Today? More of the same. And, he may be taking down the ginormous oak that grew next to the ant infested one. Dear heavens. Almost makes me wish for rain.

Almost.

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I sent off my Womans World story yesterday... now I want to vomit. I keep thinking that, eventually, I will get over the extreme nausea that follows every submission. I hope so. It's just not pleasant.

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Did you guys see the contest I posted about two days ago from Patti Ann Colt? It's fun and it's got a great prize!! Go look!

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What Your Burger Says About You



You are very gluttonous. Even if you're full, you'll still clear your plate.

You are a compassionate and caring. You know how to enjoy life while still looking out for others.

You are a very open eater. You like many types of tastes, and you'll eat just about anything.

You tend to gravitate toward strong, pungent foods. Even if it means having bad breath!

You consider yourself a healthy eater. But you're not about to sacrifice taste or quantity!

You are social, outgoing, and a risk taker. Among your friends, you are the first to try a new food.



Um... maybe 50% on that one. Oh well... You?

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Friday, October 03, 2008

Cuz I'm Brunette, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah....

Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn't wait to get to work in the morning: I wanted to know what I was going to say. ~Sharon O'Brien

So, yesterday was a scheduled writing day and I'm really struggling with what to work on (when writers say they run out of ideas, I'm gobsmacked -- I have too many, and they never stop coming... just once, I'd like to only have one or two), so I wrote a very short story aimed at publication in Womans World. I know, I know, I've said in the past that I wasn't going to submit to them any more, but the author spotlight at LASR this week has a story coming up with them (in the 10/27 issue, if you're interested) and it got me all fired up again. They've lowered their word count (again), so now you have to have a "complete" story in only 900 words! YIKES!

Judy, very thoughtfully gave me a first line to use to get me going (I love writing prompts), and it only took me a couple of hours to get it done. It's off to Judy for a quick look-see, and then I'll pop it in the mail.

Actually, I had a lot of fun writing it -- and may start doing this once every few weeks like I used to. My writing goals two years ago included having at least two short pieces (stories, articles, whatever) in submission every month! I don't think that's a bad idea, and I may consider doing that again. We'll see.

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Your Hair Should Be Brown



You are an intelligent, well respected person.

You are very confident. You take yourself seriously, and other people take you seriously too.

You are a good leader, and you can be trusted with someone's life.

You motivate people well, and you command respect easily.

You are competent, successful, and organized. You can't stand chaos.

Some people mistake you for being cold, calculating, or elitist.



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Hey, anyone else remember Julie Brown's music? I have her album on vinyl and love each and every song (unfortunately, my record player has broken and I can't listen to my 300+ records right now ... wah...)

Anyway, one of my faves (this can get just a smidge crude):



Happy Friday!

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