 | THE FOLLY OF AN AUTHOR | | | | | The Flowery Path of the Pen ... | Posted on 22/02/2012 @ 08:00 |
G'day! I recently read a question posed by a fellow sblogit.com client, asking how long or short a blog should ideally be and it reminded me of the many attempts I have made over the years at 'trying' to write a short story ...
 when pen is put to paper there are so many stories to tell
I've perhaps seen a short story competition or read someone's 'True Life' story in a Womens' magazine and thought that I would put a little something together, only to find that I have blown the stipulated 2,000 words and am on my way to writing a novel!
Recently I found that I had 'word block', caused because of the many things that my husband and I have to do to prepare for our return to the UK; having to decide what to leave behind and what to send across the oceans with Pickfords has been a bit of a nightmare.
We have been in Australia for three and half years and although mostly we have enjoyed our stay here, there are so many things which irritate me so decided I would write a story called "A Whinging Pom." I thought I would write a short article based on my experiences, comparing the very big differences in this former colony with the Mother country. I couldn't stop - on and on it went and when it had got to 3,600 words, I said to myself "No Vivienne, you have already written a story called Ping-Pom-Poms, this is going to become another novel!"
I sent what I had written to a 'True Life' magazine - it was a true life story I had written and with a bit of luck I might get paid for my endeavours. Back came an email, telling me it was far too long and it should be reduced to 2,000 words. So all day I concentrated on deleting the flowery bits and sticking to the facts instead. It took me four hours and I thought I would be well paid for my efforts. But guess what? A standard email came back, telling me that I had narrowly missed having it published, but well done anyway.
I wasn't amused. What kind of story was I up against anyway? I've got sick of reading how "He cheated on me" and I am sure other readers have too. Not to be fobbed off easily, I went onto Google and one day in the future you will see my article via a nice young journalist who sells to these publications on a writer's behalf. But I really don't think I'll ever grasp this short story lark!
If you'd like to take a look at the novels I've penned during my writing career so far, why not take a look here. I'd love to hear your comments and of course if there's anything that I can help you with along your writing path, then do please email me.
Stay inspired ... 
VIVIENNE
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