Tuesday 29 May 2012

Success!

I'm absolutely delighted to have won the recent multi-story short story competition! I heard the news the other day but wanted to be sure I really was the winner before mentioning it here - some of us never quite lose that disbelief about our success. Well, it is now announced on the website, together with the judge's report, and if you wish you can even read it here.

This is a very different kind of story from those I've had published before and I really enjoyed exploring the darker protagonist and subject. It's also set in 1937, which allowed me to use some of my study background. Although the prize money is generous and very welcome for a working writer, I'm even more grateful that this particular adjudicator completely understood the elements of the story that I really hoped to portray - so many thanks indeed to him for his much appreciate comments!

The other point a few people might find interesting is that The Artist's Wife was inspired by a painting I saw many years ago in the Art Gallery in Glasgow, although I've completely fictionalised the image in the portrait but used the date in which it was painted as inspiration. Art, music, poetry and nature often inspire me and I'll certainly pay even more attention to those in future. It's also a lesson to me in taking time to redraft a story more than once!

I do hope all those who write short stories will be inspired to enter the next multi-story competition which closes at the end of June!

Rosemary

24 comments:

Paula Martin said...

Many congrats, Rosemary!! I just read the judge's comments, and it sounds an amazing story. Would love to read it - are you going to publish it?

SharonM said...

Congratulations on your success, Rosemary. I'm delighted for you!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thank you, Paula - it's actually published on their website. You can click on the link to the story from the judge's comments.

Many thanks, Sharon!

Lydia said...

Well done, Rosemary.:) x

Diane Fordham said...

Oh Wow, good on you Rosemary. Congratulations x

The Pen and Ink Blogspot said...

That's wonderful, Rosemary!
Congratulations.

Patsy said...

Congratulations, Rosemary!

Jean Bull said...

Congratulations, Rosemary! What lovely news!

Teresa Ashby said...

Congratulations, Rosemary - I just read your story and - wow - I can see why you won. Such a moving, powerful story with such a satisfying ending - and beautifully written :-) x

Joanna said...

Thank you, Rosemary, for telling about this competition. I shall definitely give it a try.

Your story is superb. It really deserved to win. So gripping, so beautifully told. I loved it. I'd love to see the painting that inspired it too.

Congratulations on this fantastic success. xxx

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Wow - you are all so kind.

Thank you, Lydia and Diane!

Thanks a lot for leaving a comment, Pen and Ink!

Many thanks, Patsy and Jean!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Oh thank you, Teresa! That's such lovely praise from a writer I greatly admire and I do appreciate it!

Joanna - you are another of my favourite writers, so thank you very much for such praise! And please do enter the next comp - they've even increased the prize money!

karen said...

Congratulations, and what an amazing story. The opening paragraph pulled me in straight away. A worthy winner :o)

Jean Bull said...

Wow, Rosemary, I've just had time to read your story! It's so good. I like the way you used the colour red to link the wife's thoughts together, and I felt that I was there with her as she sat for her final portrait. Fantastic!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks so much for such a lovely comment - really appreciated since you're such a great short story writer!

Many thanks for reading the story and for your great comment, Jean - much appreciated!

Anonymous said...

Well done & well-deserved! Right up my street. Wish I'd written it - one day... TangoQueen

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks a lot, my friend Tango Queen! Now you know what you have to do - sit down and get writing!

Joan Fleming said...

Congratulations, Rosemary. A well-deserved win for a great story. I'd love to see the picture now!

Talli Roland said...

YAY! Massive congrats, Rosemary! Hope you celebrated.

Nicky Wells said...

Congratulations, well deserved and what a boost! So happy for you.

Vikki said...

A well deserved win. Beautifully written story!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thank you, Joan!

Thanks a lot, Talli - I'm trying with the celebration!

Many thanks for the kind comment, Nicky!

Thanks a lot, Vikki!

Anne Gallagher said...

Congratulations! This is such fantastic news!!!

Rosemary Gemmell said...

Thanks a lot, Anne - it's been quite exciting!