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I had another short story back from Writers' Forum magazine on Saturday with the usual scoring sheet inside. The story was one I'd written a while ago and had been struggling with getting finished to my satisfaction. The main problem I'd had was the ending and I've written various versions hoping to something would feel right. I finally got something that worked but I still wasn't 100 per cent satisfied with the story although I was happy with the plot and characters. So I was surprised when the reader said they thought the ending was apt but the beginning needed work and the flow in general. A rewrite was suggested. The other problem I've had with the story was the title - I couldn't find one I liked. For a while I called it secrets and savages but at the last minute I shortened it to just 'secrets.' The reader was not impresses 'as a sub you should be able to come up with a better one.' Quite right and as I've said before I often get the title first. So why was the title a struggle in this case? I think probably I haven't got a proper grasp on what the story is about. I'm definitely going to take another look at the whole thing. As for the opening I think I give away too much to early and perhaps a non-chronogical form would be better. I had a similiar problem with a story I wrote this weekend for a Writing Magazine competition. The theme is 'The Window Dresser' and after some thought I'd built a plot for my main character Harriet. I wrote the story in one go and thought I was happy with it but the next morning on re-reading it I found it - well boring. Something was wrong with it so I tried to analyse it. What was wrong with the beginning? Well I think I was telling not showing the story, the start was too long-winded as I tried to set up the situation. I hacked away, changed some scenes, made sure my unlikeable character was nasty from the start oh and then I decided it would be better in first person. That meant chaning lots of she's and her's but towards the end of the story there was a scene which wasn't from Harriet's viewpoint which took some thinking about - but I think it works. Perhaps my 'secrets' story needs to be in first person too? Sometimes I start writing in first person but there have been other occasions when I've changed the viewpoint afterwards. Also on my to-do list is a story idea I had on the way in to work this morning which might suit the People's Friend competition. There's going to be a twist in the tale so it'll be quite tricky to make it work - but I'm hopeful. I'm trying to do at least a couple of stories a week if not more. I find the more I do the more ideas I have. * I had an email at the weekend from York Art Gallery to say Tracy Chevalier is holding two writing workshops this Saturday (October 11th) at 10.30-11.15 and 12-12.45. Suitable for those aged 10+ it costs ??5 per session. (I wish I could go.) To book your place ring: 01904 650333. The newsletter also says they had over 600 entries to their short story competition - even at 300 words each that's an awful lot of reading for Tracy!

When I checked the post on Saturday I saw a familiar A4 white envelope with the address written in my own handwriting. Now usually this means one thing another rejection. Well it was in a way – it was the short story assessment from Writer’s Forum magazine. The form is broken down into different sections including opening, title, characters, language and ending. Then there is a choice of description that the reader can pick with a score next to it. For example title: Suited the story – 10, room for improvement 5, and try again 0. There are also four sections for the reader to add more detailed comments. Finally there is a page of typed general hints that are not specific to your entry and then a total and explanation as to what the overall scores mean. My story ‘Ninety nine per cent’ about the space chimp programme scored 150 (out of a maximum out of 230.) Ham the space chimp This meant it qualified for second read and there was also a tick next to highly commended (130+) . The form explains: “After an initial assessment the manuscript is either rejected or passed to another reader for a second opinion. At that stage it is either rejected or short listed for the attention of the editor and publisher. My story scored better for the early parts but the reader felt it needed a more exciting finish. This seemed a very fair comment to me as I can struggle with the endings of some short stories and I may well take another look at my story. They also said: “Confident writing, great premise for story, good characters in the chimps, lots of research and accurate detail.” But they went on to say: “But what is the theme? Too ambiguous for short story,” with some suggestions as to what needed fixing. Overall I was pleased with the comments and thought they were excellent at showing where improvements could be made. Writers’ Forum run a writing competition every month in their magazine including the application form – which can also be downloaded from their website at www.writers-forum.com Entry is £10 (£7 for subscribers) including a critique like mine. It did take a little while for them to reply. You also need to include biographical details (50 words maximum) and if chosen they will need a photograph of you. Stories should be between 800 and 3000 words. The Prizes are: £300 1st prize, £150 2nd prize and £100 3rd prize.

The other day, I was telling my journalism class about the old radio show, I Was a Communist for the FBI. This program juiced up the adventures of Matthew Cvetic, an undercover agent who infiltrated the Communist Party headquarters in western Pennsylvania sixty years ago.

Cvetic surfaced in the early 1950's, right as the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings axed hundreds of writers and journalists for lefty sympathies. In the fallout, this bizarre FBI agent landed a book, radio, and movie deal about his exaggerated adventures.

His life story produced over 70 radio episodes, reminding us of a time when popular culture swallowed a laughable amount of dangerous stereotypes. The Internet Archive has collected the series, including my favorite: "I Can't Sleep."

In this episode, both the Russian and FBI agents bug our spy's room--everybody struggling to eavesdrop on Cvetic's sleeptalking jags. The scene where Cvetic crawls around in his communist bunk-mate's bed groping for a "toggle switch" on a bulky tape recorder is a classic moment in American paranoia.

Why do I bring this up now? History has turned Hoover and McCarthy into punchlines for their overzealous work. But at the time, they controlled the livelihoods of countless journalists and writers.  How will history treat the current administration?

Last week New York Times reporter James Risen was subpoenaed to reveal his national security sources and possibly breach the confidential bond between reporter and source. It will affect how writers and journalists work for the next century.

Check it out:

"Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis said the paper 'strongly supports Mr. Risen and deplores what seems to be a growing trend of government leak investigations focusing on journalists, particularly in the national security area.'"