Fortunately, I’m able to use my husband’s work
computer and separate connection at odd moments, when he’s having a break, but
it’s far from ideal. Even just in these past few days, I’ve had two lovely
pieces of news, one of which came by email and needed a response, the other by
text but required viewing online.
I don’t how many of you know of txtlit, which I
mentioned a long time ago, and it’s in the box at the side of the blog. This is
a monthly competition, on a specific theme, submitted by mobile text – and must
be no more than 160 characters (not just letters) including the first word
‘Story’. I won it a couple of years ago and had forgotten about it again until
trying to get my writing organised at the beginning of the year. I entered the
January comp with the theme ‘hello’ and was notified I’m a runner-up. Sure
enough it’s now online, just when my internet goes down! This is a great
exercise in being concise.
The other great news is an acceptance from The
Highlander magazine in America, which takes Scottish historical
articles. I’ve written for them before, again not for a couple of years while
concentrating on novels. The lovely editor emailed to tell me he would be
running my article on Inchmahome Priory and could I now email the photos.
Fortunately, I had them all ready in a file on my computer but had to put them
on a stick and send from husband’s computer. At least they’ve gone now!
I’ve really enjoyed getting back to writing shorter
items like articles and stories, which is where I started, and it’s certainly a
different form of creativity from slogging on with a new novel and wondering
where it’s going! I’m also trying to finish the critiques for the romantic
novel competition I’m adjudicating at the SAW conference in March. I’ve really
enjoyed this, especially when they are all of reasonably high standard. Still
deciding on the winners and commended but at least I’ve had no Internet to
distract me the way it usually does. Maybe a few days with no connection is not
too bad after all, as long as it's not too long. Rosemary
8 comments:
Hi Rosemary,
Congratulations on your recent successes, I can identify with enjoying writing shorter fiction and articles. I want to write more non fiction, I really enjoy it.
Lately, I'm procrastinating more than usual, mainly on the web! The novel is a slog, and personally I think we sometimes need the distraction of something else to stimulate us.
I hope you are all sorted with your internet connection now. Thank you for sharing, have a great week!
I agree, it is a terrible distraction, Rosemary!
Thanks, Maria sounds like you know exactly what I mean!
It is indeed - yet, as Maria says, it stimulates too!
Well done on your Highlander article. It's years since I've been to Scotland but I remember it fondly, especially a magical holiday I had on tiny Lismore.
Well done Rosemary. Makes us realise how much we depend on the internet when it's down.
What a lovely, interesting post, Rosemary. We could probably all do with some time offline to catch up.
Thanks, Cara - you must come up again sometime!
Absolutely, Susan - thank you!
I can't believe the difference it makes, Mary - obviously I spend too much time online, or I'm easily distracted (both!).
I use the internet a lot when I'm writing, but I mis-use it even more, by getting distracted away from whatever I'm supposed to be working on.
Post a Comment