tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-354255282024-03-07T11:39:54.489+00:00The Long And The Short of ItSue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-80806532340915800122012-10-29T07:56:00.000+00:002012-10-29T07:56:21.678+00:00Halloween Special - The Spooky Isles!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Spooky Isles is a rapidly-growing website dedicated to British and Irish horror and supernatural related entertainment. That includes ghost stories, horror movies, visits to haunted houses, ghost tours, exhibitions and all just about anything on these isles that can send a shiver down your spine.<br />
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You can read <a href="http://www.spookyisles.com/2012/10/specter-spectacular-13-ghostly-tales/" target="_blank">my author interview here</a> Robbie MacNiven and I are the only Brit authors in this US ghost anthology, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Specter-Spectacular-13-Ghostly-Tales/dp/0615700187/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351497302&sr=1-1-spell" target="_blank">Specter Spectacular - 13 Ghostly Tales,</a> so feel a bit proud of that! Also available on Kindle.Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-54011124765955221032012-10-28T09:10:00.001+00:002012-10-28T09:10:15.681+00:00Grab a freebie If you want a chance to grab a freebie, <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/36116." target="_blank">click here</a><br />
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<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyiqma_ucWkMzINVjWteUc_-ZFMPFZ7RfvKEdzoHkkNFTnaLrpw94Mon2KUW5h1mCAVYg_MGRVn6e5Ilz6z8uZDm3c-X0lBJF0j5yeLyFXkAHWNpjqvb2P8-w7kOmIsil93-KIA/s200/ssgt-cover-v-ebook.jpg" width="129" /></a><br />Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-3083744596797472802012-08-28T12:52:00.003+01:002012-08-28T12:52:31.858+01:00Specter Spectacular book cover unveilingI've just seen the cover art and I think it's perfect! <br />
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Taken from World Weaver Press website:<br />
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<em>Once you cross the grave into this world of fantasy and fright, you may find there’s no way out.</em></div>
<em>We enjoy the spooky nature of the this photo, shot with an infrared camera. Not only do the skeletal tree branches and slightly foggy tableau provide and eerie sensation, but the bridge itself encompasses the true power of the ghost tale. Ghost stories are more about the mind — what we believe, what we fear, the things we can’t possibly know about what lies beyond death — than they are about shock and gore. The bridge represents not only the act of crossing over, but that bone tingling choice we make in so many ghost stories to enter the lair of the unknown and forbidden. Taking the first step across that bridge can be as frightening as what we find on the other side.</em><br />
<em>Not only that, but if you stare long enough at the image, you can find faces — skulls, empty eye sockets, shadowy figures — all staring back at you. And the creepiest part about it? The photographer assures us that he didn’t add any faces to the original photo.</em><br />
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<strong><a href="http://worldweaverpress.com/books/specter-spectacular/" title="Specter Spectacular">Specter Spectacular: 13 Ghostly Tales</a>, coming September 25, 2012. <span id="more-2679"></span></strong>Spirits, poltergeists, hauntings, creatures of the dark — <em>Specter Spectacular: 13 Ghostly Tales</em> delivers all these and more in thirteen spooky twists on the classic ghost story. From the heartwarming and humorous to the eerie and chilling, this anthology holds a story for everyone who has ever been thrilled by the unknown or wondered what might lie beyond the grave. Step inside and witness ghosts of the past, tales of revenge, the inhuman, the innocent, the damned, and more. But be warned — once you cross the grave into this world of fantasy and fright, you may find there’s no way out.<br />
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Featuring work by Amanda C. Davis, A. E. Decker, Larry Hodges, Sue Houghton, Andrea Janes, Terence Kuch, Robbie MacNiven, Kou K. Nelson, Jamie Rand, Shannon Robinson, Calie Voorhis, Jay Wilburn, and Kristina Wojtaszek.Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-73821662404509375662012-08-10T15:19:00.001+01:002012-08-14T07:40:42.826+01:00Specter Spectacular - 13 Ghostly TalesWell, well, well, what a long time it's been since I last blogged! And wouldn't you know it, I only pop by to promote a new anthology coming out soon.
I've written many ghost stories, and as there are few outlets for them amongst the women's magazines, I get excited when the opportunity of inclusion in an anthology comes along.
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<strong>Eileen Wiedbrauk, Editor-in-Chief</strong> has announced the publication by <a href="http://worldweaverpress.com/books/specter-spectacular/" target="_blank">World Weaver Press</a> of <strong>Specter Spectacular - 13 Ghostly Tales</strong> <br />
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My contribution, a contemporary ghost story, is called The Secret of Echo Cottage.<br />
<b>Blurb:</b> When Americans, Alison, and husband Jason, re-locate to a genteel English village they know there'll be challenges, but with the imminent birth of their first child they couldn't be happier. That is until Alison has an encounter with an embittered spirit out for revenge.
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<b>Specter Spectacular </b>will feature the work of Amanda C. Davis (“My Rest A Stone”), A. E. Decker (“Death and Taxes”), Larry Hodges (“The Haunts of Albert Einstein”), <b>Sue Houghton (“The Secret of Echo Cottage”)</b>, Andrea Janes (“A Fitting Tribute”), Terence Kuch (“What If It Could Speak!”), Robbie MacNiven (“The Little House at Bull Run Creek”), Kou K. Nelson (“Safe Upon the Shore”), Jamie Rand (“Alabaster”), Shannon Robinson (“Wendigo”), Calie Voorhis (“Cooter, Ass-munch, and Me”), Jay Wilburn (“Pushed Out”), and Kristina Wojtaszek (“Cinder”).
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I'm very excited about it, hence the big plug.
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More details can be found <b><a href="http://worldweaverpress.com/news-and-blog/">here</a></b>
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Image credit <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55679866@N05/with/7109233957/#photo_7109233957">'Graveyard' by I.Am.Christopher.Baker</a> via FlickrSue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-83343167912351834182011-05-14T15:07:00.031+01:002011-05-14T16:51:04.877+01:00Versatile Blogger Award<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdWfQ33BWp-fVWLn3r3UssOFN27v4iUNc6ZlpnIMnaYKdwbgZG_lE3e371k6XMw2yrqrfJ0c6ceK5GcqtoupvlVJkiAggoQGzgGaOgp_pGGv67xuWA6ivFMxwXqxgcEfR1ARf1Q/s1600/Versatile_blogger_award%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdWfQ33BWp-fVWLn3r3UssOFN27v4iUNc6ZlpnIMnaYKdwbgZG_lE3e371k6XMw2yrqrfJ0c6ceK5GcqtoupvlVJkiAggoQGzgGaOgp_pGGv67xuWA6ivFMxwXqxgcEfR1ARf1Q/s320/Versatile_blogger_award%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606573401819826162" /></a><br />A big thank you to Janice Horton for passing me the Versatile Blogger Award - the rules of acceptance are to tell you seven things about myself that you might not already know. I've had a problem thinking of 7 things that might make me sound vaguely interesting but anyway here goes 7 bits of trivia about me:<br /><br />1. My first job, aged 14 and a bit (I lied and said I was 16 and the boss never checked) was stacking shelves in a local supermarket two nights a week and all day Saturday for the princely sum of £2 8sh and 6d. Even in the late 60's this was lousy pay! My co-workers and I deliberately damaged packets of biscuits (KitKats were favourite) so we could buy them cheap. Can you blame us?<br /><br />2. After leaving school I worked for an engineering firm making conveyor belts for the mining industry. What I mean is, I was a secretary there. I wasn't hands-on with tangential chain rollers and integrated pneumatics. My first task was to type out a tender for a million pound contract with British Coal. I only had Stage One RSA in shorthand and typing and it took me half the afternoon. The company didn't get the contract and later went bust. I've definitely used this experience more than once in a short story.<br /><br />3. I'm related to Willy Shakespeare. Yes, I know it sounds unlikely. Go take it up with Ancestry.com, okay!<br /><br />4. I can complete a Rubik's cube. <br /><br />5. I can't spell.<br /><br />6. This morning I sat down with my laptop to complete a 15 minute test for early signs of dementia....and forgot why I'd opened the laptop. Absolutely true, I swear!<br /><br />7. I can butcher. Not in the serial killer sense. Husband and I have owned our own business for almost 30 years. The Press had a great time taking the Mick <a href="http://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/news/local-news/saucy_sue_s_a_secret_sexy_story_writer_1_637454">here</a>. <br /><br />And now I'll pass on the award to seven wonderfully versatile bloggers. Please accept your awards by copying the logo above and listing seven things about yourselves before passing the award on.<br /><br />And remember, if you want anything spatchcocked, I'm your girl!<br /><br /><a href="http://sallyquilfordblog.co.uk/">Sally Quilford</a> - A View From The Shed<br /><a href="http://dianeparkin.blogspot.com/">Diane Parkin</a> - Tales of Baggins Bottom<br /><a href="http://teresaashby.blogspot.com/">Teresa Ashby</a> - A Likely Story<br /><a href="http://alcoholicdaze.blogspot.com/">Alcoholic Daze</a><br /><a href="http://lynnehackles.blogspot.com/">Lynne Hackles</a> - I Should Be Writing<br /><a href="http://oliviaryanblogspot.blogspot.com/">Olivia Ryan</a> - Olivia's Place<br /><a href="http://scriptorsenex.blogspot.com/">Rambles From My Chair</a>Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-61958268598533817242011-03-28T13:32:00.040+01:002011-04-01T07:28:11.870+01:00Interview with Janice Horton, author of Bagpipes and Bullshot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmqyxT4pw8XNeIxRix1NycvMYERp373xCaXPzMX9BM9GpQobPMeAVRS2-cR4gtmDuF3w3uGttpNmtAwN2nfXfzkBsaSaIuMSDjDZDoGVUBY32oMVCwDu4qtCtHUsLnfG4O9EGqw/s1600/B%2526B+Cover+JPeg+with+Border.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmqyxT4pw8XNeIxRix1NycvMYERp373xCaXPzMX9BM9GpQobPMeAVRS2-cR4gtmDuF3w3uGttpNmtAwN2nfXfzkBsaSaIuMSDjDZDoGVUBY32oMVCwDu4qtCtHUsLnfG4O9EGqw/s320/B%2526B+Cover+JPeg+with+Border.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589110752011127346" /></a><br /><br />Well, folks, here it is as promised - a Q&A interview with my novelist chum, Janice Horton (drum roll, please!)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Janice, your ebook Bagpipes & Bullshot is out on Kindle but until today you’ve been asking people NOT to buy it – is that right?</span><br />Yes, you may think it’s a strange tactic, but I wanted to ask those who might consider buying Bagpipes & Bullshot to do so on Friday 1st April (it is priced at £1.38 or $2.24) or to tell other people about it on that particular day through their social networks. It’s very difficult to get a new e-book noticed by potential readers on Amazon unless it features on one or more of Top 100 charts, but because of the way Amazon calculates its sales, just a few consolidated sales on one day can make all the difference in pushing it up through the charts!<br />I’ll be blogging and tweeting all day on Friday 1st April, so for direction to all of the places I’ll be appearing on my Blog Tour throughout the day <a href="http://www.janicehortonwriter.blogspot.com/">please visit my blog</a>.<br />I’ll also be running a Prize Draw on my blog to win some fantastic Kindle Beach Protectors (an essential and stylish accessory for every Kindle owner - but alternatively you could always use it to protect your camera or phone!) All you have to do to be in with a chance to win one is go to my blog and simply leave a comment or RT one of my tweets on Twitter using the hashtag #bagpipes. <span style="font-weight:bold;">(Friday 1st April only).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us a bit more about Bagpipes & Bullshot.</span><br />It’s a humorous contemporary novel which twists an everyday love story with a whole cast of village eccentrics into an entertaining play on Scottish rural life. When handsome Scottish Laird Innes Buchanan meets beautiful Texan cowgirl Orley McKenna and brings her over to his impoverished estate in Scotland, it’s for more than her expertise with cattle. But before their romance can properly begin, Orley has to contend with a run-down country mansion, a frosty Lady of the manor, and a vengeful ex-girlfriend who puts Lady Macbeth to the shade. I’ll leave it for the reader to tell me if it’s a love story with elements of humour or a humorous novel with elements of love story!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Where did the idea to write about a Texan cowgirl and a Scottish laird come from?</span><br />Well, you may be thinking that in a contemporary novel, a cowgirl and a laird are far removed examples of what it is to be American or Scottish today, and you would be right. However, the premise of the story is about opposites attracting and exploring the emotional, cultural, and geographical differences between two people who come from opposite sides of an ocean. It is intentionally larger than life and that’s what makes it entertaining and fun. I’m told there are many laugh out loud moments in Bagpipes & Bullshot! <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Where is your favourite place to write?</span><br />Living in Scotland that very much depends on how warm it is: for the past six months, I seem to have been glued to the sofa next to the wood burning stove or sat at the kitchen table in front of the Aga with my laptop. This winter has been a particularly long cold one with weeks of temperatures less than -16 degrees C. Roll on the days where I can once again sit under the shade of the trees and write with the sun shining on the garden and the hills around the cottage. I do, incidentally, have a perfectly good study with a desk, but as I share it with my self-employed husband, somehow sitting there seems more conducive to practical work than creative writing.<br />I guess I’m happy to write anywhere, as long as I’ve actually got some time to immerse myself in what I’m writing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Can you tell us something of your work in progress?</span><br />Yes, I’m hoping to finish writing my next novel by this summer. It has been a long haul job writing this one - not through lack of enthusiasm on my part but simply through real life distractions. Other commitments have quite rightly taken priority over my writing, but that’s not to say writing will have to take a backseat in future. Reaching for the Stars is the story of a disillusioned celebrity chef, who gives up his hard won accolades - three Golden Stars - and goes into self imposed exile in a castle on a Scottish country estate. The heroine of the tale is a rising star in the culinary world, an ambitious chef determined to be the first woman in the UK to get three Golden Stars. As this novel is set against a backdrop of fine food and steamy kitchens - you can imagine all the fun I had researching this book!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What made you decide to go indie and publish Bagpipes & Bullshot on Kindle?</span><br />Two reasons: the first was that having been previously published in paperback by both traditional and self publishing methods, I couldn’t resist the challenge of having a go at e-publishing, especially on Kindle, because distribution and marketing on Amazon are all well established. The second reason was that I unexpectedly fell in love with the Kindle my husband bought me for Christmas and wanted to have my books available for it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">But what about people who don’t have a Kindle? Can they download Bagpipes & Bullshot for their PC, Mac, IPhone, IPad etc?</span><br />Yes, absolutely. Go to Amazon and download there. I’ll be forever grateful. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDMnKhZ6oBMqu3GQHZRqHUFVNSRNdpKaU7rrgavTnyF3qcjaSwq5Guu4E_TmVCMhOOJ7ALEAgN6EbQvgNs3BNP2f4dB1CpKwXe0-VTY8vPWXHpSA-T57OWGQXcxI6qgQfrfDgeA/s1600/Janice_Horton.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDMnKhZ6oBMqu3GQHZRqHUFVNSRNdpKaU7rrgavTnyF3qcjaSwq5Guu4E_TmVCMhOOJ7ALEAgN6EbQvgNs3BNP2f4dB1CpKwXe0-VTY8vPWXHpSA-T57OWGQXcxI6qgQfrfDgeA/s320/Janice_Horton.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589110467942074818" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">About The Author:</span> Janice Horton lives in Scotland and writes entertaining and humorous contemporary women's fiction novels which are, for the most part, inspired by the romantic beauty of the heather-filled glens around her country cottage. When she’s not writing novels she writes lifestyle articles and has had work published in national magazines and regional newspapers. She’s also been involved in BBC Scotland's ‘Write Here Write Now’ project. Her next novel Reaching For The Stars will be available soon on Kindle. <br />Her blog can be found <a href="http://www.janicehortonwriter.blogspot.com/">here</a> and you can follow her on Twitter <br />Her website is <a href="http://www.janicehorton.co.uk">www.janicehorton.co.uk</a>Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-62970221348107581612011-03-28T08:52:00.010+01:002011-03-28T09:09:53.053+01:00Bagpipes & Bullshot Launch and Blog Tour - Friday 1st April 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfj-9CDDrCqph5kI7T78gzgcGl6QxPMUGJSofOEosoFaUytGwqzYT1tgLKDhL2N9ZI5ZGLyuUfzkm7JyJ7coyGe0DfdjEozji8iMW_SKTo092ujSSBE-OPyRV8PedOsU21OSQKQ/s1600/Janice_Horton.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfj-9CDDrCqph5kI7T78gzgcGl6QxPMUGJSofOEosoFaUytGwqzYT1tgLKDhL2N9ZI5ZGLyuUfzkm7JyJ7coyGe0DfdjEozji8iMW_SKTo092ujSSBE-OPyRV8PedOsU21OSQKQ/s320/Janice_Horton.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589039552700797586" /></a><br /><br />My lovely writing friend <a href="http://janicehortonwriter.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-few-more-days.html#comments">Janice Horton</a> (different spelling so no, not related in case you were wondering) is getting very excited about the launch of her new ebook <span style="font-style:italic;">Bagpipes and Bullshot</span> which: <br /> <span style="font-style:italic;">"Twists an everyday love story into an entertaining play on rural life:it's Monarch of The Glen meets Miss Read!"</span><br /><br />And it's available now at the fabulous (fabulous? It's a bargain, Janice!) price of £1.38 or $2.24 but I'm going to ask you NOT to buy it. Why you ask? Well that's because Janice is planning a mini-onslaught on the Kindle mountain of Amazon and she wants you to buy it / blog it / tweet it / and recommend it to all your friends on the official launch day Friday, 1st April 2011!<br /><br />No Kindle? No problem. You can read the book on your PC, Mac, IPad, IPod or other mobile devices by downloading the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_ipad_mkt_lnd?docId=1000493771">free Kindle App</a>.<br /><br />Watch out for an interview with her right here on the 1st April. Oh, and you'll be able to enter a comp to win a Kindle Beach Protector if you visit <a href="http://http://janicehortonwriter.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-few-more-days.html#comments">her blog </a>on the 1st April. All you have to do to be in the prize draw (which will be independently adjudicated) is leave a comment on HER blog on Friday 1st April or ReTweet one of her Tweets on Twitter with the hashtag #bagpipes.Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-83363834283713768252011-02-03T12:46:00.025+00:002012-08-31T13:31:38.567+01:00Payment on acceptance or publication?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CF5y_7jpsne6GewFnpqddD0YxLW7ZjpFlBIrkap5QZ8wFw8Xc0aFnlh1lEI18fKnGuAb_8fWTFQM-4QpNCUudT7YOM-b44G41JX64jCrXYdmSi8xOrjDXQeelcWjbrULF4n_Zw/s1600/index.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569455704023856450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CF5y_7jpsne6GewFnpqddD0YxLW7ZjpFlBIrkap5QZ8wFw8Xc0aFnlh1lEI18fKnGuAb_8fWTFQM-4QpNCUudT7YOM-b44G41JX64jCrXYdmSi8xOrjDXQeelcWjbrULF4n_Zw/s320/index.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 94px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 103px;" /></a><br />
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There's a good topic for conversation going on at <a href="http://womagwriter.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-does-we-pay-on-publication.html">womag's blog</a> : should writers receive payment on publication or on acceptance? Personally, I expect to be paid on acceptance...or do I? How many other products or services would you not expect to pay for until you've used it? <br />
<br />
Anyway, I can't say a mag's preference for payment has ever influenced who I send my work to. According to comments, Bauer seems to be at the top of folks' list for complaints when it comes to late payment, but I've never been kept waiting too long after publication and maybe it's just me but I quite like wondering whether my 2000 words have been stretched over 4 pages with the accompanying larger fee. <br />
And before you ask, I am not a *hobby writer. I do this for a living...well, hardly a living wage but you know what I mean. I have bills to pay (on time) like most of you.<br />
<br />
As for upsetting an editor and being black-listed if I should complain, I doubt this would happen, unless I was awfully rude and then I've only myself to blame. <br />
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I've been sending to the womags for more than 10 years and have always found editors to be great people, if sometimes haphazard with their slushpile, but with tight deadlines and thousands of submissions to plough through each week, you can't blame them for sometimes getting it wrong. On the whole my experience with editors has been a very positive one and I've only come across one (overseas) editor in all that time who I'd gladly slap on the nose with a rolled up copy of her own magazine if I ever met her/him! And no, I ain't spilling!<br />
<br />
Or maybe I will....see, she/he bought the first story I ever sent for consideration. Great! A new market for me!<br />
So I sent more over the coming months. I was asked to edit 4 of these stories she/he wanted to buy. Yes, she/he did say 'buy', not 'interested in'. Without question, I did as asked, sent them off quickly and efficiently, then sat back and heard nothing for over 9 mths. <br />
<br />
I don't generally like chasing stories as I know if I've heard nothing it's a 'no' but as he/she'd asked for re-writes I emailed and politely asked did she/he approve of my edit? Nothing. <br />
<br />
A year later I decided they weren't going to be used after all, so I sent a completely different story for consideration. Again, nothing. And still nothing to this day. Not an acceptance or a rejection. Ever the optimist, I still send stuff. And yes, I do send to the correct email address etc. Maybe my address is in her Spam filter, who knows?<br />
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You think there's more to this story? Why would an editor behave in this way? Well, yes, there is a little more. See, I was so frustrated with her/him, I sent my stories a 'Happy Birthday' email at one point BUT WITH a note saying I meant it in fun but obviously he/she has no sense of humour so, yes, editors do black-list you if you get up their nose!<br />
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Oh, I just remembered, an American editor once told me I wasn't up to womag writing standard. This after I'd just had my 200th sale. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I've </span>blacklisted her!<br />
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*Hobby writer - I suspect some will take offence at the term. Feel free to black-list me ;0)<br />
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PS. Photo of wad of money used in this article is not indicative of any womag writer's fee. If you know different, please leave me your editor's number.<br />
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PPS. If the editor in question recognises herself in this post, I promise not to carry out my threat of physical abuse. Call me. Lets meet for coffee and maybe you can cast your eye over my recent manuscript. You can pay me on publication, I don't mind.<br />
<br />
PPPS. (Sorry this will def be the last) <br />
Since writing this post <a href="http://dianeparkin.blogspot.com/2011/02/slight-unrest-soapbox-alert.html">Dianne Parkin</a> ,editor and freelancer, has had her say on the matter and its well worth a view. Thank you Dianne for writing it up.Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-22193321603466378952011-01-14T09:46:00.006+00:002011-01-14T09:56:11.713+00:00Festival of WritingHere are a few details about the Festival of Writing at York University 25--27 March. <br /> <a href="http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com">Sue Moorcroft</a> has blogged about it but the highlights are:<br /><br />Breaking news:<br />- US agent Marcy Posner is joining from over the pond and taking one-to-ones<br />- Writers Workshop will be offering “next steps” free to three<br />writers at the Festival who are talent spotted. The writers will be<br />offered a free manuscript critique, free coaching or a free manuscript<br />appraisal from Harry Bingham.<br />- <a href="http://www.authonomy.com/">Harper Collins Authonomy</a> are supporting Authonomy Live talent<br />contest on Friday evening, with editor Patrick Janson-Smith on the<br />panel. Last years winner, Shelley Harris was offered representation by<br />4 literary agents in the room, and then went on to achieve a 5 figure<br />book deal.<br /><br />For more details look on the <a href="http://www.festivalofwriting.com/">Festival of Writing website</a>Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-64414851087041544782011-01-12T11:28:00.003+00:002011-01-12T11:39:17.340+00:00Queensland FloodsYou must've seen the terrible newsreels of the Queensland Floods on TV. Horrific, and no doubt they haven't seen the worst of it yet according to the experts. Several lives have been lost already and though not on the scale of some recent disasters (I'm thinking of Haiti here), imagine the heartbreak of losing your home and possessions. Of course, it's easy to sit back and do nothing. You may think 'Oh well, Australia's a wealthy country. They'll recover just fine.' Maybe they are more equipped to deal with the disaster and maybe as we're all feeling the recession pinch we might not want to contribute cold hard cash. Well, there is another way you can help. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">100 Stories for Queensland</span> is a charity anthology to assist the victims of the floods. Stories are donated by writers from across the globe and proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Queensland Premier's Flood Relief appeal.<br />http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/<br /><br />The anthology will be available in digital and print form, and is expected to be ready for release late February/early March. <br /><br />Details of submission guidelines can be found on the <a href="http://100storiesforqueensland.submishmash.com/Submit">website</a>Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-70056188513823673622010-12-02T13:22:00.016+00:002010-12-02T14:33:28.825+00:00Enough, already!Are you sick of the snow yet? Have you even got any?<br />I'm housebound for the 3rd day running. It's at least 3 feet deep here in Worksop (and a lot more where it's drifted) and my wee boots only come over my ankle so I'm not venturing outside. <br />I have fresh milk and milk powder in the store cupboard and I bake my own bread (ciabatta in the oven as I type) so this, coupled with a freezer stuffed to the gunnels (or should I write gunwales??) with Christmas goodies means I can feed the two of us at least until Easter! Even if it is prawns in filo for every meal.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Jd3c2AbbCaStSW83k6NwG7SGDrxxtp9AgGEMLYOUPGZdsTLhsjA6jGnTiv_zYTVT9XwzC3EQ10zqOu-h8ouI0k8t8AD1zD9Mn0GCW_xIT4IAWqq-Oz0xyZ2Gi0dT5yoxxFHr0g/s1600/DSC03116.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Jd3c2AbbCaStSW83k6NwG7SGDrxxtp9AgGEMLYOUPGZdsTLhsjA6jGnTiv_zYTVT9XwzC3EQ10zqOu-h8ouI0k8t8AD1zD9Mn0GCW_xIT4IAWqq-Oz0xyZ2Gi0dT5yoxxFHr0g/s320/DSC03116.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546085555565264114" /></a> This is the view from my window yesterday. It's even deeper today!<br />Normally, I'd treasure the time to get some writing done but nothing's flowing at the moment, so I'm filling my day with other activities like: <br /><br />Cleaning the house from top to bottom<br />Clearing out the kitchen cupboards and fridge of last Christmas's now-grossly-out-of-date pickles, ready to re-stock with similar - why do I do that? <br />Sorting out bedlinen for guests over Christmas<br />Dressing the mantelpiece with a ribbon garland and reindeer - going for a purple/ jewel theme this year - though I draw the line at putting up the Christmas tree. I'm not that bored!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3AXIu72Im9wVXTnDOalMQX3W3gBKZM_8Js4SeS5TxNWbMRMFNyv_LNDauTRXxLQuS1mrONfJqKbwDIuuwRtiPluEEQ6DQqMf8k4_XmSQcyCCdfB03U_qdsUXQXS8eYj74Dmg5A/s1600/DSC03125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3AXIu72Im9wVXTnDOalMQX3W3gBKZM_8Js4SeS5TxNWbMRMFNyv_LNDauTRXxLQuS1mrONfJqKbwDIuuwRtiPluEEQ6DQqMf8k4_XmSQcyCCdfB03U_qdsUXQXS8eYj74Dmg5A/s320/DSC03125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546092236625190386" /></a><br /><br />And talking of the tree, is it only me who goes into a flap each year about where to place it? It ought to go next to the fireplace, but if I do that, it obscures the view from the two-seater sofa to the TV. I mean, it's terribly important that I get to watch Moorecambe & Wise Special and all the Christmas soap episodes without jingle bells and gingerbread snowmen interrupting my pleasure.<br /> <br />Okay, so best move the sofa then...to where exactly? And what about the side table and lamp? That'll have to move too. And all my ornaments displaced by cherubs and Santas? <br />It would be far easier to put the tree in the corner by the window, opposite the TV Except that space is occupied by Himself's precious Lazyboy recliner and you touch that on pain of death! Seriously, no-one moves the Lazyboy. I think Himself is planning to be buried in it.<br /><br />But back to the tree, one year I lopped the top bit off it and stuck it on the windowsill but everyone moaned it wasn't a proper Christmas without full bauble overload. And while I'm on the subject...anyone else hate tinsel? I'm all for a bit of glitter and sparkle but I can't stand to see yards of tinsel draped over picture frames and around every door jamb. Especially the skinny sort that looks all crushed and apologetic. We once had a cat who ate some tinsel. Interesting outcome!<br /><br />Ah well, this post has passed a few minutes. Time for another coffee and a dip into the Cadbury's Heroes tin. I'll leave you with a few more snowy pics.<br />xx<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vasR-v6iXrVp1FcQisL62Mi5X4luJdwNKapUI734BLbCzVu-Dlm4hQ7ip90gQYn_QycJEShfg2s4uqC3rFXXlzfhKNzV6VBPetAyNEZFkXUVs26m4YlRtzZoUJx7MIyHjg2fnQ/s1600/DSC03109.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vasR-v6iXrVp1FcQisL62Mi5X4luJdwNKapUI734BLbCzVu-Dlm4hQ7ip90gQYn_QycJEShfg2s4uqC3rFXXlzfhKNzV6VBPetAyNEZFkXUVs26m4YlRtzZoUJx7MIyHjg2fnQ/s320/DSC03109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546089246331809202" /></a> <br />My patio!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPzrTQ5KX_MC8qMG5hGLWCweP0GZaFc8OHAEGzB8llyErqwI6xYa_TcpR9JKkclfh4t0lvwTt9IartmumnQ8WHUU9xWNevIzygbS-fvRIfmwedqIGjpqTnCPawnxZBJuVbFC7Ng/s1600/DSC03110.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPzrTQ5KX_MC8qMG5hGLWCweP0GZaFc8OHAEGzB8llyErqwI6xYa_TcpR9JKkclfh4t0lvwTt9IartmumnQ8WHUU9xWNevIzygbS-fvRIfmwedqIGjpqTnCPawnxZBJuVbFC7Ng/s320/DSC03110.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546089525170319682" /></a><br />Who buried the car?Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-21949289472415682602010-11-24T14:00:00.022+00:002010-11-25T15:13:37.198+00:00Wannabe a Writer We've Heard of?Well, of course, you do. I know I'd like my name to trip off the tongue. <br /><br />Lady in hair salon: <span style="font-style:italic;">'Sue Houghton? Isn't she that highly-talented author of mega best-selling novels?'</span><br />Stylist: <span style="font-style:italic;">'Yes. She comes in here you know. So witty and charming'</span><br /><br />Um, er, sorry, got a bit carried away there. But, seriously, have you ever thought what happens AFTER you get the call from your agent (agent? What agent?) to inform you of the three-book deal with Publisher & Publisher? Well, if you don't have a clue, then buy Jane Wenham-Jones' Wannabe a Writer We've Heard of, published by Accent Press.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2El4i-RomLzA_jHiA7qZIV8UR7rgfgd3-wTvs3noA1wwayQVWjCwbHC99IKOiwen6k8DNDFYs_kE3GZ0DIK-Qh_i1h4q421Vyj4cI3u34YdFyQx5SIFOonVKcd7hA_DA0R1pEZQ/s1600/51pBZRSrlUL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2El4i-RomLzA_jHiA7qZIV8UR7rgfgd3-wTvs3noA1wwayQVWjCwbHC99IKOiwen6k8DNDFYs_kE3GZ0DIK-Qh_i1h4q421Vyj4cI3u34YdFyQx5SIFOonVKcd7hA_DA0R1pEZQ/s320/51pBZRSrlUL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543117926478245506" /></a><br /><br /><br />To quote Jill Mansell: <span style="font-style:italic;">'I really, really recommend this guide. Seriously, it could change your life.'</span><br /><br /><br />At over 300 pages, it covers all aspects of what happens after your precious baby takes its first steps into the big, wide scary world. Jane offers tips from what to wear for the book signings/parties to how to cope with 'admirers' slash 'unwanted attention' under a small section entitled 'Nutters and Weirdos'!<br /><br />Oh and there are tips and anecdotes from other authors. My pearls, for what they're worth (is it really so silly to be this excited that I'm listed in the index?)can be found on pages, 217, 225 and 254! <br /><br />If you want to buy <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1906373973?ie=UTF8&tag=thlothshofit-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1906373973">Wannabe A Writer We've Heard Of?</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thlothshofit-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1906373973" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /> it's only £3.50 on Amazon with free P&P.<br />And if you didn't read Jane's first book <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1905170815?ie=UTF8&tag=thlothshofit-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1905170815">Wannabe a Writer?</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thlothshofit-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1905170815" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> then do check it out, too.Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-16382904330869533212010-11-05T11:50:00.007+00:002010-11-25T15:13:03.291+00:00My WeeklyI got a sale from Maggie Seed at My Weekly yesterday. It's for a story she's been hanging on to for a while. I'd forgotten about it to tell the truth so it was a nice surprise. It'll be going in the 2012 Annual, available next October, I think. Seems a long way off but the good thing about My Weekly is that they pay on acceptance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkHftTES1Y29WH2Pqeq5hlZzq3UpcXP_j6uonA7Egjdnvg3SE9uTWPIUQHY7o9figKZT4qfBJMPPABZyG2C32g29b6C0k9T_yQVPJ1-lNigPLpLFUGT3etd1FEoChf24DUbFxKg/s1600/51rymXFmVnL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkHftTES1Y29WH2Pqeq5hlZzq3UpcXP_j6uonA7Egjdnvg3SE9uTWPIUQHY7o9figKZT4qfBJMPPABZyG2C32g29b6C0k9T_yQVPJ1-lNigPLpLFUGT3etd1FEoChf24DUbFxKg/s320/51rymXFmVnL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536033808075349794" /></a><br /><br />I do like the way MW has what they call their 'Inspiration Gem' at the end of the shorts. A simple 25 word note from the author on where the inspiration for the story came from. For some reason I always find this difficult. Probably because I want to waffle on. But anyway,this particular story was inspired by my addiction to watching TV make-over programmes. Which reminds me, I must set the Sky box to record 60 min Make-over this afternoon!<br /><br />Click the link to buy from Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1845354192?ie=UTF8&tag=thlothshofit-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1845354192">My Weekly Annual 2011</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thlothshofit-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1845354192" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-21347852581229988432010-11-05T11:29:00.009+00:002010-11-25T15:18:46.455+00:00Wedding TalkDid I mention my daughter and her fiance 'won' their wedding day? It was a radio phone-in competition in association with a well-known hotel chain. It all seemed too marvelous - a free wedding! Trouble is, the hotel doesn't have a registrar's license for a civil wedding, nor can it accommodate 120-plus guests so sadly they've had to turn down the prize. Bit disappointing. And in my opinion, a bit stupid of a hotel to be advertising weddings if they can't come up with the necessaries. Lots of couples want civil ceremonies these days and don't want to be switching between venues.<br /><br />Anyway, fate being what it is, they've found another and much better hotel in The Sitwell Arms, Renishaw. Unlike the prize venue which was basically an ugly structure more suited to its general use as a conference centre, this place is very traditional with a lake, gardens and orchard. Just perfick!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kGzW0VL_HFYbeAh3WQDaOy7dBL0bANBD71VBASNrAzckk_lqYcjsRuEwqyqn9iPXtE5VcOoRgF3BJFDQuoJMjBOc81Dwhna8ASInlKBCpdao82uZ08EJHaUuAaK7kesHP6awsw/s1600/photo+(6).JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kGzW0VL_HFYbeAh3WQDaOy7dBL0bANBD71VBASNrAzckk_lqYcjsRuEwqyqn9iPXtE5VcOoRgF3BJFDQuoJMjBOc81Dwhna8ASInlKBCpdao82uZ08EJHaUuAaK7kesHP6awsw/s320/photo+(6).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536029927572578818" /></a><br /><br />It's family run and they have a great package deal which includes the cake, photographer, videographer, wedding breakfast, evening buffet, disco and lots of extras besides. There's even 50% off the wedding dress! We met the wedding coordinator the other night and she was very helpful and after sleeping on it, Amy and Tom have fixed a date for January 14th 2012. What with my son's Vegas wedding in October 2011, we can't wait!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6NhYeOzWY1rkAqcjN-ECqhjfmch2slZsPc6OEGRwqi8D-glOQd_YCkH0sh7AO-XDEoDqw28ECViHA0PUSkuZuhQtkmzJMlrggFqZTOu1pyBiJ5-BI138lmgGJfqnZ3Tjjvd6AQ/s1600/41L5pegS-qL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6NhYeOzWY1rkAqcjN-ECqhjfmch2slZsPc6OEGRwqi8D-glOQd_YCkH0sh7AO-XDEoDqw28ECViHA0PUSkuZuhQtkmzJMlrggFqZTOu1pyBiJ5-BI138lmgGJfqnZ3Tjjvd6AQ/s320/41L5pegS-qL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543506793851997938" /></a><br />That reminds me, Jill Hassall, a writing buddy, has her book out now. Click the link to buy from Amazon.<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1907906061?ie=UTF8&tag=thlothshofit-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=1907906061">The Greatest Guide to Your Dream Wedding (Greatest Guides)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/e/ir?t=thlothshofit-21&l=as2&o=2&a=1907906061" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-1612349225103661412010-11-03T11:22:00.007+00:002010-11-03T11:30:52.908+00:00Halloween<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvUmjaH8wuqYmhXQ0kvw87oDD-1uGGjRj-ZuRW4YDY73u3vED1eh4SdhbzBpt4F4U4dBigyysCipEvRQW6DPjNlWbDkkqbiQS-7T_eltSEAYnFBm77WoUBssPh1pl6CIcyhu9vw/s1600/73135_444142425894_664385894_5922437_2088607_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvUmjaH8wuqYmhXQ0kvw87oDD-1uGGjRj-ZuRW4YDY73u3vED1eh4SdhbzBpt4F4U4dBigyysCipEvRQW6DPjNlWbDkkqbiQS-7T_eltSEAYnFBm77WoUBssPh1pl6CIcyhu9vw/s320/73135_444142425894_664385894_5922437_2088607_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535283068866012098" /></a><br />Bit late but thought I'd post a few pics of the pumpkins carved by my daughter, Amy. I prepared them by scooping out the flesh and this I made into 3 pumpkin pies (2 with pecans)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHVwtH6SoD73mBwPs7DBHVNP23HX7uABq5JFSXUwPdiWORMiFRd5KVY2uvr8HI_WOCVOitF26MT0DvAtfm33MxpDp1RrDzaLIGxTA02XMnil7VHBphq9beXstLi-Zg5f6hyP-mg/s1600/DSC03060.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHVwtH6SoD73mBwPs7DBHVNP23HX7uABq5JFSXUwPdiWORMiFRd5KVY2uvr8HI_WOCVOitF26MT0DvAtfm33MxpDp1RrDzaLIGxTA02XMnil7VHBphq9beXstLi-Zg5f6hyP-mg/s320/DSC03060.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535284007397434802" /></a><br /><br /> and a big bowl of spicy soup. Jacket spuds with chilli completed the Halloween night!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HQEfF_ksb1eoNCBQEV9WaaevUduQS622lqX8GJr7uOppTXZaIOvlDYC22v42gGMqF_aD3dRO9juWHbLrl1iabB27T_a-hmUjyOVqKamRqx1Fg81pqpvCJzqiVn39wkHy2PkfNg/s1600/DSC03065.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HQEfF_ksb1eoNCBQEV9WaaevUduQS622lqX8GJr7uOppTXZaIOvlDYC22v42gGMqF_aD3dRO9juWHbLrl1iabB27T_a-hmUjyOVqKamRqx1Fg81pqpvCJzqiVn39wkHy2PkfNg/s320/DSC03065.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535283406849897058" /></a>Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-67520624155191263252010-11-03T10:37:00.012+00:002010-11-03T11:22:34.249+00:00Lazy BloggerYes, I know, it's been a while since I blogged, but I have an excuse...when I can think one up!<br />There's been a bit of heartache in our family of late and I think that's mostly to blame for my pathetic output. Weirdly, stress used to spur me on. Made me scribble furiously to put the bad things to the back of my mind but these days I seem to be overwhelmed with thoughts other than of a fictional kind. Once in a while a character will break through the fog and I'll scribble a few lines but that seems to be about all I can manage. This sort of thing has happened before so I'm not too concerned. Crap happens. I'll get over it.<br /><br />So, now I've got your pity, what else has been happening here? Well, the family had a great weekend in Derbyshire last month. We took a 6 and a 2 berth tent and pitched up on a lovely campsite just outside Hope. The weather report gave showers. Ha! Bring it on!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM03b53hAqK9Y7h3dzaqpUt28SNT1c7ttxh9VaUm2mN530ikjSxp00x-POpfGl6rDOfJk-_-wB8tGU2UBWHiKEB8OV2bEX7HQpeeos0NRX3V8CFVXIB49QhaaYdkVdB2gDf3Jag/s1600/DSC02871.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM03b53hAqK9Y7h3dzaqpUt28SNT1c7ttxh9VaUm2mN530ikjSxp00x-POpfGl6rDOfJk-_-wB8tGU2UBWHiKEB8OV2bEX7HQpeeos0NRX3V8CFVXIB49QhaaYdkVdB2gDf3Jag/s320/DSC02871.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535280565720428098" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6dGlBy_udiQChGIrSXZf2EwQntfx5e8UE4tE5tdUHbVV-1DVN3Qg2WyU_BXT6aLRIO5x-ji90IZybO6cbaVj0qQtD2XyqSnIB5rB7QyRbqOeOcFdPpQ5kWJRPTGTlrmAbCa_Pg/s1600/DSC02926.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6dGlBy_udiQChGIrSXZf2EwQntfx5e8UE4tE5tdUHbVV-1DVN3Qg2WyU_BXT6aLRIO5x-ji90IZybO6cbaVj0qQtD2XyqSnIB5rB7QyRbqOeOcFdPpQ5kWJRPTGTlrmAbCa_Pg/s320/DSC02926.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535281354889102514" /></a><br /><br /><br />After a late night walk in pitch darkness, aided by Google for navigation (thank you iPhone) we found a tiny pub crammed with other ramblers. The only seats were on the roof terrace beer garden where we sat watching the stars and giggling ourselves silly over what type of fart gives the best comedic effect!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVXKOkQjCIWueL3rlR6m0dzHgnlh_5aCOhB6Qhw6PymOXXh2dNdCvv-YiHEF4BMECNTLZDdiBzlW38afW7v21VKyD9HA4JddRijy1iZzCstNOcxePIIxrNZ532S7lh5vVMoqtDA/s1600/DSC02944.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVXKOkQjCIWueL3rlR6m0dzHgnlh_5aCOhB6Qhw6PymOXXh2dNdCvv-YiHEF4BMECNTLZDdiBzlW38afW7v21VKyD9HA4JddRijy1iZzCstNOcxePIIxrNZ532S7lh5vVMoqtDA/s320/DSC02944.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535278427904367202" /></a><br /><br />Back at the tent we found it slightly flooded but hey-ho all part of the fun. A few bottles of wine, cans of beer and Scotch eggs later we retired to our sleeping bags. Only to be awoken at around 2am by a fox munching on our left-overs! Too tired (drunk) to care we just turned over and slept till morning.<br /><br />It rained most of that weekend but it didn't stop us exploring Castleton and visiting The Devil's Arse, aka Peak Cavern.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYB8jQux0dng5SVl8yPVW5NNqMYJSulnR9QNAiv0PorX2AyHxZoIjIx9SlSYiBLLz61RvbzugTR6Gju2-uDV55QTRAa4MqMleRA9XTBlSLFHyhut_p-teARLk-Wwgto7hzpTu3YQ/s1600/DSC02913.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYB8jQux0dng5SVl8yPVW5NNqMYJSulnR9QNAiv0PorX2AyHxZoIjIx9SlSYiBLLz61RvbzugTR6Gju2-uDV55QTRAa4MqMleRA9XTBlSLFHyhut_p-teARLk-Wwgto7hzpTu3YQ/s320/DSC02913.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535279731900611522" /></a><br /><br />Tom even had a go at rope making.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS44usZpiAm_1VSJGcV6WhW0L01zrv7aA43KWMoQ_PGLk0o_TY9DWQGH8I0J8A4bDYguXx5zHezuG8nLR2hTrgw75RFkDVREw_Vy22MH-DolJ3LZAaZu7QHnhXD2tUXY2GPUZk_A/s1600/DSC02902.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS44usZpiAm_1VSJGcV6WhW0L01zrv7aA43KWMoQ_PGLk0o_TY9DWQGH8I0J8A4bDYguXx5zHezuG8nLR2hTrgw75RFkDVREw_Vy22MH-DolJ3LZAaZu7QHnhXD2tUXY2GPUZk_A/s320/DSC02902.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535278971814913362" /></a><br /><br /><br /> Great fun and I can't wait until the spring when we can do it all again. But maybe without the rain!Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-23550269395690823352010-09-07T13:51:00.007+01:002010-09-07T14:21:17.241+01:00Thinking of the 'C' wordHate to mention the 'C' word but the big day is closer than you'd like to think. Already I've seen cards, trees and wrapping paper in the shops and that's before the kids have gone back to school! <br /><br />Any short story submissions to the womags should've been posted/emailed off in August as they work up to 3 months in advance. I sent two off yesterday because I edited them to suit the winter period and thought better to send on the off-chance than have them languish for another year on my hard-drive. I got an automated reply for one of them and a short 'Thanks for the sub' for the other so I know they arrived safely.<br /><br />Talking of Christmas, while I was doing some research for my story, I came across <a href="http://www.theliterarygiftcompany.com/house-and-home-36-c.asp">this website</a> Called The Literary Gift Company, they have some lovely little gifts to suit your literary friends or relatives. Love this mug. I may buy it for myself. Though maybe it should read 'Go Away I'm Writing'!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_Do6n5EZIZ0Dq6OHYBvDm7ClilZq06FGdbseI30k_B0TY1DsOLzefHrogd7iRn8rXAmPCNNVOkkus9iAHRAoQz0ia_NhjMcVCIaXRPpuj6lsWJAk1ROpjMTrKqgxx4YBg347qw/s1600/goawaymug%5Bekm%5D159x150%5Bekm%5D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 159px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_Do6n5EZIZ0Dq6OHYBvDm7ClilZq06FGdbseI30k_B0TY1DsOLzefHrogd7iRn8rXAmPCNNVOkkus9iAHRAoQz0ia_NhjMcVCIaXRPpuj6lsWJAk1ROpjMTrKqgxx4YBg347qw/s320/goawaymug%5Bekm%5D159x150%5Bekm%5D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514160211798773538" /></a>Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-17198881524728310012010-08-31T15:30:00.008+01:002010-08-31T16:04:44.057+01:00A Hat Trick<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdq5NAlxZLsyFXd6Fm9g74njv2hPHwuEbOnEpjHEh3PybKQXgXEDzwJMxIsVozmQxPi2caNn2fVZ1ywPonyKkKFQIQKdrO0oFQ41X0_n1oVyq3saiY9t31SDb7JPGqrhVjMOl_NA/s1600/DSC02864.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdq5NAlxZLsyFXd6Fm9g74njv2hPHwuEbOnEpjHEh3PybKQXgXEDzwJMxIsVozmQxPi2caNn2fVZ1ywPonyKkKFQIQKdrO0oFQ41X0_n1oVyq3saiY9t31SDb7JPGqrhVjMOl_NA/s320/DSC02864.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511582445253516514" /></a><br />I've had three magazine stories in print this past week. One in My Weekly called <span style="font-style:italic;">Will They Love Her More?</span> - a twist in the tale (thank you Liz Smith for my contributor's copy).<br />The second is a mystery/cosy crime sale to The Weekly News called <span style="font-style:italic;">Caught</span> (thank you Jill Finlay for my copy) and I've one in Fast Fiction, Australia with the same title...as yet no copy but it may be stuck in the post so thanks to Anthony Lambert in advance. I've also had two 'short-listed' replies but I never count on those as they often disappear into the void.<br /><br />My Weekly like their writers to add a bit about the inspiration behind their story. I always find this difficult for some reason, especially in so few words. I never know whether to go for pithy, tongue-firmly-in-cheek or make some serious statement. Think I went for the latter on this one:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ4wb8H12IZJysoW3jvipTa3TpE11icE00ry6txnrzP_cyyaM5jC8E38gEWWpwNwwSutMDPCxwdwr9-7ZXJD57MWjEhnIIaSHF7DC0or98dY7fnPb97v1m8sKUoiIqCu2OeBuCQ/s1600/DSC02868.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZ4wb8H12IZJysoW3jvipTa3TpE11icE00ry6txnrzP_cyyaM5jC8E38gEWWpwNwwSutMDPCxwdwr9-7ZXJD57MWjEhnIIaSHF7DC0or98dY7fnPb97v1m8sKUoiIqCu2OeBuCQ/s320/DSC02868.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511584206464807666" /></a><br /><br />Probably shouldn't have posted my 'Word from the Author' because if you intended reading the story, I've given the twist away. Ah, well!<br /><br />I've also been busy emailing submissions. Around 8 are whizzing around the world at this moment. If one hits the spot I'll be happy as I need to top up my 'Vegas Wedding Fund'. <br /><br />What else has been happening? Oh yes, I went with family to watch Toy Story 3 in 3D on Monday. We NEVER usually venture out of the front door on any Bank Holiday - we once spent hours on a motorway only a few miles from home and said that would be the last time.<br /><br />Anyway, we had a lovely carvery meal first at Treble Bobs pub, then off up the M1 to Cineworld, Sheffield, which on arrival looked like a mistake, especially as the showing was about to begin in 15 mins. BUT we found a parking space by chance and though we queued for about 10 mins for tickets, we got some great seats right in the middle towards the back of the theatre. The film was fun, though I'm already getting unimpressed with 3D. <br /><br />Right, I'm off for a coffee and a read through my magazine copies.Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-29877767415508488642010-08-25T09:24:00.005+01:002010-08-26T15:28:19.695+01:00WORDS WITH JAMThere's only a few days left to enter this one so get scribbling. Words below courtesy of their website.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVYthWJIcx84xWhih0MN5xEf9VIHljC1fw3-aAnhcp3vCelGOWmeu7ZuWAmGD2cQ_KMAPmUoyibmWSX8JMkxsFFQEsun6B7CktBPOGLfTwNjCon-cMuJ8jW8EckuDoGM9gSVUWw/s1600/x3yn_EmailHeader_1.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 76px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVYthWJIcx84xWhih0MN5xEf9VIHljC1fw3-aAnhcp3vCelGOWmeu7ZuWAmGD2cQ_KMAPmUoyibmWSX8JMkxsFFQEsun6B7CktBPOGLfTwNjCon-cMuJ8jW8EckuDoGM9gSVUWw/s320/x3yn_EmailHeader_1.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509261795662493330" /></a><br />Let's keep it simple, eh? We're looking for the best short story of up to 2,500 words. Please note that we are looking for the Best Short Story, not bribes. If you wish to send vast sums of money, tickets for sell-out concerts, rare signed first editions, feel free, but as the stories will be judged anonymously, it won't help you much.<br /><br />PRIZES<br />1st Prize - £300<br />2nd Prize - £100<br />3rd Prize - £50<br /><br />CLOSING DATE<br />31st August 2010, 12pm GMT<br /><br />RESULTS<br />All three winning entries will be published in the December 2010 issue of Words with JAM.<br /><br />ENTRY FEE<br />£6 for one entry, £10 for two.<br /><br />JUDGE<br />Sue Moorcroft will be selecting our three winners from this year's shortlist. Sue writes short stories, serials and novels – her third novel, Starting Over, was published in November 2009, with All That Mullarkey to follow on 1 June 2010. She’s both editor of and contributor to Loves Me, Loves Me Not, a short story anthology celebrating the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s 50th Anniversary. <br /><br />Also a creative writing tutor, Sue’s first ‘how to’ book, Love Writing – How to Make Money Writing Romantic or Erotic Fiction, was published in January. <br /><br />www.suemoorcroft.com<br /><a href="http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com/">http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com</a> for news and writing tips<br /><br />ENTRY<br />Please <a href="http://www.wordswithjam.co.uk/#/entry/4540010727">CLICK HERE</a> for information on how to enter.<br /><br />REMINDER?<br />To receive our FREE PDF e-zine, plus a reminder of the competition closing date nearer the time, <a href="http://www.wordswithjam.co.uk/#/subscribe/4539849833">CLICK HERE</a> to sign up.Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-18319182881629775352010-08-14T15:58:00.009+01:002010-08-14T18:37:48.974+01:00National Short Story Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOb61d5i0RAQEgSJE2JmxP1cVS2uMfVaeHF0AWvY4zdky_HL8aXBMNRlMQQ1BWOwEEU9LYI8KnpLJlbc3uBESvRStxjaExpYaO0w88JYCqunyDQXDxX-noX12ytcOm8bWflQrKQ/s1600/logo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBOb61d5i0RAQEgSJE2JmxP1cVS2uMfVaeHF0AWvY4zdky_HL8aXBMNRlMQQ1BWOwEEU9LYI8KnpLJlbc3uBESvRStxjaExpYaO0w88JYCqunyDQXDxX-noX12ytcOm8bWflQrKQ/s320/logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505282333139277458" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.nationalshortstoryweek.org.uk/about-national-short-story-week.htm"><br />National Short Story Week</a> is an annual awareness event. Its aim is to focus the attentions of the public and the media on the short story and short story writers, publishers and events. It is intended as a framework for promoting literary events and publications at a national and local level.<br /><br />It's aims are:<br /><br />1) to get more people reading and listening to short stories<br /><br />2) to get more people writing short stories<br /><br />3) to develop creative and commercial opportunities for individuals and organisations involved in the short story form.<br /><br />The website is very informative with lots of stuff to listen to, download etc. and loads of opportunities to get involved. Patron is the lovely Katie Fforde. Read what she has to say <a href="http://www.nationalshortstoryweek.org.uk/katie-fforde.htm">here.</a>Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-19119681915240718642010-08-14T11:47:00.008+01:002010-08-14T12:46:24.108+01:00Not a lot changes.Out of interest I looked back to see when I began this blog - Tuesday, October 3rd 2006. That's almost 4 years, with a lean bit around the beginning of 2008 when Google, for whatever reason, locked me out of my account.<br /> <br />My first ever post had the title <a href="http://suehoughtonuk.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2006-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z&updated-max=2007-01-01T00%3A00%3A00Z&max-results=37">Life Of Riley</a> (scroll to bottom of page the link takes you to) and listed all the things I'd done that morning. You know, like chores and stuff.<br /><br />How boring am I? I realise I've done exactly the same things <span style="font-weight:bold;">this </span>morning, the only difference being it's a Saturday and there wasn't an incidence at the supermarket checkout where I wanted to punch someone's lights out - though I did visit Tesco. Oh and as it's a Saturday the roads weren't blocked with school traffic. So, a little bit of variation on the morning but not a lot as <a href="http://thelifeandtimesofpauldaniels.blogspot.com/">Paul Daniels </a>would say.<br /><br />If you bothered to click on the PD link you'll know he too has a blog. I had a snigger at the comment he made about the Lovely Debbie McGee having her bottom fixed - he's referring to the boat they own and not his wife! Well, it amused me.Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-86726788061116287012010-08-11T18:28:00.011+01:002010-08-12T10:57:49.965+01:00It's All Greek To MeI'm taking part in <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/6LryE">Sally Quilford's Blog Take Over Day</a> again this year so here goes. Hope you enjoy!<br /><br />A passport craves a bit of adventure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-PZNITTHIIXRWA0o6E3-jDkxEYKL7eI9TaFknsz-v84c1LYcHZwyh25KumYi4i3rayCmX8dfG4HzoQfBcZHlhB1P9dnxwdiKHFdenBprXpOC885H4LJx0D_-HeyCdUH9bMhNJA/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-PZNITTHIIXRWA0o6E3-jDkxEYKL7eI9TaFknsz-v84c1LYcHZwyh25KumYi4i3rayCmX8dfG4HzoQfBcZHlhB1P9dnxwdiKHFdenBprXpOC885H4LJx0D_-HeyCdUH9bMhNJA/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504206307538582194" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yes, I admit it, I am still smarting from being abandoned in that poncey Greek taverna, so no, since you ask, I am not in the right frame of mind to hear my owner is planning the next holiday debacle. <br /><br /> You know, there was a time I had my life planned out. The first ten years, anyway. The Caribbean, the Maldives, Goa. All inclusive, of course. Drinks package, the whole caboodle. But what do I get? Two-star self-catering in the same shit-hole for the past three years because milady here has a thing for a certain Greek waiter. Trollop!<br /><br /> Hello, what’s she up to now? On the phone to her sister wanting to know the meaning of ‘moral turpitude’. From what I can make out she’s filling in some on-line form. Something about a visa. <br /><br /> I wish I hadn’t mentioned the Greek incident now. Takes me right back to this time last year. She’d been on the retsina since she’d packed her suitcase and was still knocking them back on the plane - cheap seats. Last Minute dot crap.<br /><br /> We’d flown a day earlier than planned and she’d gone straight to the taverna to surprise Mr Greek. She did that all right. Caught him with his bread stick in another woman’s pastitsio. Get the picture?<br /><br /> Well, she picks up the pepper mill and lays him out cold. Next thing, she’s being escorted out to a taxi by some guy who’d been sitting at the bar (American - all loose tie and rolled up sleeves) and taken back to the airport. Somehow, in the kafuffle, I’ve fallen out of her handbag and become wedged under the dessert trolley alongside a stray olive.<br /> <br /> I swear I can still smell garlic when she flicks through my pages and there’s a nasty stain on my faux leather case. That’s another thing...faux. Every passport I know has the real thing, though my preference would be for a nice Cath Kidston; the Provence rose one. Now that’s class. But no, Slack Alice here wobbled between fake Burberry and faux leather. Pink, faux leather. But I digress. The important thing, I suppose, is that the young chap who’d come to her rescue returned to look for me. For whatever reason, probably so she could refund him the taxi fare, young chap had given her his phone number and she’d called him from the airport when she realised I was missing.<br /><br /> Several hours later, we're back home, the suitcase is stashed under the spare bed, I’m back in the shoebox at the bottom of her wardrobe and she’s sobbing down the phone. No doubt to Mr Greek though it’s difficult to hear when you’re wedged under a pair of gladiator strappies. <br /><br /> Anyway, this goes on for months which brings us to the here and now. I’m lying on the desk with my spine crushed to buggery while she’s singing away to herself and tapping away on the computer. Then the phone rings and she’s on it like a German on a sunlounger.<br /><br /> Yes, she’s telling caller, she’s sorted out the visa. She can’t wait to see him again. And his ranch. Ranch? Fly first class? America? Max? Who’s Max? Of course! The guy who came to her rescue in Greece! He's the one she's been speaking to on the phone all along.<br /> <br /> This passport is bound for Vegas, baby!Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-68022762824417072862010-08-11T08:45:00.008+01:002010-08-14T18:34:17.236+01:00Whose point of view?My fourth novel was originally written from a male viewpoint because it was the hero's story I wanted to tell, but maybe more so because it felt comfortable that way. A few chapters in I posted it on a well-known critique site. I received some useful feedback but was advised that I'd do better to swap to a female POV as that's what women readers preferred. Did they? <br /><br />Anyway, I took this advise on board and my heroine, Roisin Connor, was born. Now, I love her to bits but I often wonder how the book would've turned out if I'd told Lex's story instead.<br /><br />I was thinking about this when I came across an interview with Sue Moorcroft on the Singles Titles website. Her two novels <a href="http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/startingoverbysuemoorcroft.html">Starting Over</a> and <a href="http://singletitles.com/?p=4634">All That Mullarkey</a>, published by <a href="http://www.choc-lit.co.uk/">Choc Lit</a>, both feature the hero's pov. Luckily, she has a male friend who can read her chapters to double check if her hero is thinking like a man. Particularly liked the line about 'lifting hems'. To see what I mean, <a href="http://singletitles.com/?p=4636">read Sue's interview here</a>.Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-81190864445934473402010-08-10T21:22:00.009+01:002010-08-14T12:47:11.329+01:00Why Can't I get Published in the Womags?Well, this is weird, I update my website and blog as I've been doing for the past 4 years but for the first time I announce it on Facebook and it generates quite a few questions from wannabe womaggers. Most wanted to know:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">How come I can't get published in the Women's mags? </span><br /><br />There must be a thousand and one answers to that one but I'll save time by cutting and pasting my answers from my archives. I doubt anything has changed!<br />Here goes...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifd2-9HZ-V7fUWeOwZ7sMLu2fvE2n7lrCerpyOG9MuhbdJ-oZrKb4n4YJk0g7jTDkNia4bo_kH29Z02Kr2Orl4EwIA9sqCHqNkdXciRcA54zawRwiP4k21DB2DZgo1HemLoO_feQ/s1600/magcover.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifd2-9HZ-V7fUWeOwZ7sMLu2fvE2n7lrCerpyOG9MuhbdJ-oZrKb4n4YJk0g7jTDkNia4bo_kH29Z02Kr2Orl4EwIA9sqCHqNkdXciRcA54zawRwiP4k21DB2DZgo1HemLoO_feQ/s320/magcover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503880322242928450" /></a><br />First off, it probably has nothing to do with how well you write. And I trust you CAN write well before you attempt publication.<br />No amount of literary prose will impress a magazine editor unless it's what she/he is looking for. It must 'fit' his/her magazine (look I'm sick of being PC and writing 'his/her' so in future it's 'her' okay?).<br /><br />I've seen some beautiful writing by folk with far greater experience and literary talent than I have, yet they can't sell to the womags. So, what are the womag editors looking for?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">'I'll know it when I see it'</span>, is their usual response. I think they go as much with gut instinct as anything. But, they are experts at it and let's not forget their jobs rely on them getting it right. Their sales prove they know exactly what pleases their readership.<br /><br />So how do we please them?<br /><br /><br /> * Your story has to be a satisfying read - a hook at the beginning, no saggy middle and you must tie up all the loose ends at the finish. A reader should go 'Ahhh' at the close, not 'What the f***?'<br /><br /> * The characters must be well-drawn, the sort their readership would recognise and identify with. You don't find many tattooed bikers living with unmarried mums in The People's Friend, or wool shop owners wearing Tweed (the cloth or the perfume take yer pick) in Take A Break...see what I mean?<br /><br /> * Your character must come up against a problem which she resolves in a satisfying and believable way. The solution must be something she works through, not a sudden 'cavalry coming over the hill' type of closure. Remember Bobby Ewing waking up in the shower in Dallas? That's the type of thing I mean.<br /><br /> * And this is the hardest criteria to meet...it must be something an ed hasn't seen before. Something original. Or at least a different 'take' on an old plot.<br /><br /><br />So, you've made sure your story meets all the above requirements and still you can't get an acceptance? Then there's always the other reasons for non-acceptance...<br /><br /><br /> * It was the <span style="font-weight:bold;">right </span>story at the <span style="font-weight:bold;">wrong</span> time. Magazines plan about 4 mths ahead. Don't send a summer holiday story out in August. Likewise don't send a Christmas one out in November.<br /><br /> * The ed loves your story but she needed a 1000 word piece and you sent in 2000 and there isn't time to ask you to cut it, so she chooses the next in the slushpile and you get a rejection...or if you're very lucky you go onto a short-list for next time there's a need for 1000 words. Except this short-list tends to be a very long short-list in most magazine offices. My advice is to re-send any short-listeds after 6 months.<br /><br /> * The story was well-written with great characters and a smashing ending BUT the editor regrets she took something similar last week.<br /><br /> * The editor has bought far too many recently - enough for another six months. They have a budget tighter than a camel's bottom believe me! Make a note of when the editor said she's ready for more subs and re-send when the time is up. But be quick, every other writer will do the same.<br /><br /><br />I'm sure there're a dozen other reasons and any editors reading this blog might like to chip in.<br /><br />Conclusion: If you know you can write, don't take a rejection to mean your story is unsaleable. Try a different mag. One with similar guidelines, obviously, unless you're prepared to edit to fit, which a writer with a professional approach will almost certainly do.<br /><br />PS Apologies to any wool shop owners(my friend Kath)who wouldn't be seen dead in anything tweed.Sue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35425528.post-26069315778217013242010-08-10T10:53:00.006+01:002010-08-14T17:43:31.585+01:00ESTAI've spent a few minutes applying for our ESTA's or Electronic System Travel Authorisation forms which replace the Visa waiver form you used to fill in on the aircraft before landing in the US. Application can only be done online so if you don't have a PC or a friend able to fill in the form for you, its tough luck! They're valid for 2 years and free until Sept 9th then they'll cost £9 after that. Think I've got that right.<br />Loved some of the questions on the form - like anyone's going to tick the 'yes' box! <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">B) Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime involving moral turpitude or a violation related to a controlled substance; or have been arrested or convicted for two or more offenses for which the aggregate sentence to confinement was five years or more; or have been a controlled substance trafficker; or are you seeking entry to engage in criminal or immoral activities? <br />C) Have you ever been or are you now involved in espionage or sabotage; or in terrorist activities; or genocide; or between 1933 and 1945 were you involved, in any way, in persecutions associated with Nazi Germany or its allies?</span><br /><br />My application went straight through while Himself's is 'pending further investigation'. If he disappears suddenly I'll know the FBI have caught up with his criminal moral turpitude!<br /><br />PS. Beware of scam websites that are not only virus-ridden but are asking for around $50 for the application.<br />See <a href="http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/esta-usa-visa">Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert's</a> website for more detailed infoSue Houghtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14147561434172961209noreply@blogger.com4