By: Cate Gardner,
on 8/23/2009
By: Catherine J Gardner,
on 10/25/2008
This was the week that I discovered I’m a much tougher cookie than I thought I was. Had a big rejection that I admit knocked me for six, I expected to be depressed for the week, and then found myself bouncing back into gear within the day. Of course, it left everyone who witnessed my sudden intake of breath and sob (note to self: do not open emails at work, especially when you’re the receptionist and everyone walks past your desk) thinking isn’t she supposed to be sad, but hey, you can’t be sad forever.
So what have I accomplished this week?
Well thanks to Kim Kasch and a not-so fun Harry Potter Personality test, I discovered I’m Severus Snape.
I started, finished, revised, finished again, and submitted a story to the Cafe Doom Writing Contest – can’t give anymore details than that as the story will be posted on the forum along with the other entries (twenty-four so far) for voting purposes, so it has to remain pretty much anonymous. Just look out for one containing…. :) Only kidding.
I wrote a flash short story that I intended to send to 52 Stitches when it opens on November 1st, then I decided it was probably not scary enough (or rather not scary at all) so I sent it along to Every Day Fiction instead. I hate the title I subbed, so I’m hoping if it’s accepted they’ll allow me to change it to ‘Travelling Along the Conveyor Belt’.
‘Nobody Smiling’ didn’t place in the Apex Digest Halloween competition, so now I can sub that story to 52 stitches when it opens. Silver linings and all that.
Received my copy of ‘Twisted Dreams’, which contains my story ‘Dead Bolt’. I should have received it ten days ago, but Lulu mixed up the order and sent me a copy of a book about the Lusitania instead. I complained (of course) and they said I could keep that book and they’d get another copy of Twisted Dreams out to me. I feel it is now my duty to feature the Lusitania in a short story.
And on a final screeching note – It’s one week to NaNoWriMo. If you hear an alarm while reading this, don’t worry it’s just my panic button going off.
By: Catherine J Gardner,
on 8/22/2008
I couldn't resist giving Northern Haunts one more go before it closes and YAY! I got an acceptance from Tim this afternoon for 'The Restoration of Purple Curtains & Other Things' - YAY! again. So I now have two stories in the anthology. I need to order some copies but my paypal account is empty and I'm deliberating whether to fill it up (it takes 10 days - groan!) or to just wait and order some copies from Amazon.
Now for a NAY! (Is that a word???) Hand Scratched Note was rejected this morning by Potter's Field. :( I've shaved 500 words off it and ended it where I originally thought it should end (I needed to get it over a 2000 word hurdle) and I think it makes it a wee bit stronger.
And to pick the mood back up again, I got a hold request from 'The Morrigan'. Keeping my fingers crossed for that one.
I've been a total slacker today and have wasted the afternoon watching The Amityville Horror. Mid movie I had an idea for another children's book - and you know how it goes, that idea screams 'write me' but you have to give it the finger because you're already stuck in the middle of two other books.
Anyhow, here's the tally on how things stand with my 17 day plan.
The Book of Tentacles - 'A Strange Artificial Light' - 2311 words - submitted
Cinema Spec - 'Ugly Duckling' - 1434 words - submitted
Dark Jesters - 'Uncle Eric's Leather Bound Tale' - 1803 words - submitted
Footprints
Mother Goose is Dead - this antho is now full - I was too late!!!!
Clockwork Phoenix 2
Infradead
Catastrophia
Hotel Guignol - cheated & sent 'Frog & The Mail Order Bride'
Potter's Field - 'Hand Scratched Note' - 2052 words - submitted - rejected
The Morrigan Ezine - 'Curious Robot' - 854 words - submitted
Apex Digest Election Horror Competition - 'Nobody Smiling' - 613 words - entered
Northern Haunts - 'The Restoration of Purple Curtains & Other Things' - 605 words - submitted - accepted.
yet another reason to not like high school and its politics. Nice image Cate.
:)
If that's based on school recollections, you went to a pretty tough school. Enjoyed the read.
I commented there, but it needs another one here: so, so good. The moment is tense, the imagery brilliant, and you just make me happy. (Not sure what that says about me, but let's talk about YOU...)
A great story, Cate. Nice and disturbing, the way I like it.
Alan, of course it is. ;)
Katey, Anthony, :) Everyone needs smiles added to their day.
Fantastic job : )
Wonderful story, Cate.
Thanks, guys.
Wow, and I thought my school sucked. Now it seems like a day at the park compared to such horror. That was just horrifying (in a good way of course).
I braced myself and headed over. Lovely, disturbing images. I enjoyed it.
Another great tale, Cate. Brings back some lovely memories; I’d give you a round of applause, but I worked on the school magazine, so it's a little difficult.
Made me laugh out loud, L.R.
Hilarious.
Really enjoyed that one!
Thanks, everyone.
LR. :D
Awesome! :)