Have you been writing your heart out? It's time to submit those stories!

People are spending more time in the house during this pandemic and looking for ways to be entertained.  More people have taken up writing. Some write for publication, some as stress relief, some to document this historic time around the world. Whatever your reasons are, I hope you will consider submitting your work. There are more opportunities to enter contests than I've ever seen.

I put down my novel in progress and took a break to write for contests. Not only was I ready for a break and needing to put some distance between my novel characters and myself, I was ready for some fun. Everyone needs some fun during these rough times. 

I loved the flash fiction and flash nonfiction contests as well as short story opportunities. There are so many online right now. Some have themes or prompts and some are open to most genres.

So I brushed the dust from some old pieces of writing to edit/update and wrote a few new pieces. (In case you didn't know, I love the challenge of a word count as well as finding short story writing to be fun.) I guess I entered four flash fiction contests and a short story contest. I also wrote and submitted a short story for consideration of an upcoming 2021 Chicken Soup for the Soul book. It'll be awhile before I know if it is selected or not.

One contest, WOW-Women on Writing, offered a written critique of the entry pieces for an additional nominal fee of $10. How amazing to have a professional editor critique your piece for $10?!  I took advantage of that with two

of my pieces.  I'm happy to report, the critiques were worth every penny. They not only told me where the pieces went wrong, but also where the pieces went right, which is just as important.

At the time of this writing, two of my pieces were selected to be published in an anthology, which should be out locally some time this month. I also have a flash nonfiction piece that has made it as a Finalist with the winners being announced by December 21st. I will keep you posted. I had 2 pieces that did not place but one received such an encouraging critique, I felt like I'd won.

All in all, I'm doing pretty well and it feels really good. I wish for all writers to feel really good.

So put your writing out there and I wish you smashing success in 2021. 

Drop me a comment and let me know how it goes.

Have a Happy, Healthy, and Blessed Holiday Season 💖

Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling! 

       

A Time of Virtual Communities

   Hello to Nancy of Cat & Mouse Press and all of the authors who participated in the Zoom chat, (image above), on May 30, 2020. If you're looking for an escape into the world of a wonderful story, pick up any of the Rehoboth Beach Reads offered through Cat & Mouse Books. These books are collections of short stories written by numerous authors. Each book has an overall theme, but vary in plot, offering all readers the variety we crave.

In these times of social distancing, I am grateful for the technology we have today. We all miss the ability to gather and socialize. Through technology we're enjoying the gifts of seeing and speaking to one another in real time. What a BIG DEAL!

This week authors, contest winners and contributors from various Cat & Mouse beach reads gathered virtually to say hello and enjoy a chat. It was a pleasure to meet everyone. I'm in the upper left corner and Nancy is in the upper right corner. Thank you to everyone for the opportunity.

Earlier in the week, I had great fun virtually attending my great nephew's first birthday, with the help of laptops. The party was in California. It was amazing to see Conor doing so well after a recent battle with the Kawasaki disease. Happy Birthday Conor!

I've also attended a virtual doctor appointment, allowing me to see my doctor, while staying safe in my home.

Yesterday, my writer's group, The Florida Gulf Coast Writers Circle met for our 5th virtual read and critique session. Meeting this way is working out fine for us.

I hope as many of you as possible are taking advantage of the opportunity to meet with others in professional and social virtual ways until we can be together in person.

                How great will that first hug be when we are safe to meet again?!

Life would be more worrisome and lonely without the gift of technology. I'd love to hear how you've been taking advantage of this gift. 
Keep Writing, Keep Submitting, and Keep Smiling! 

During these times of self preservation we must remember ...

Just because it's our RIGHT, does not mean it's the RIGHT thing to do. 

Social distancing has gotten us this far. Let's hang in there until this terror is behind us.


Take care of one another in a safe and thoughtful way. Don't risk people's lives to make a point.

Spread the word, not the sickness.