Payment on acceptance or publication?

There's a good topic for conversation going on at womag's blog : 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?

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.
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.

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.

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!

Or maybe I will....see, she/he bought the first story I ever sent for consideration. Great! A new market for me!
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.

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.

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?

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!

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. I've blacklisted her!


*Hobby writer - I suspect some will take offence at the term. Feel free to black-list me ;0)

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.

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.

PPPS. (Sorry this will def be the last)
Since writing this post Dianne Parkin ,editor and freelancer, has had her say on the matter and its well worth a view. Thank you Dianne for writing it up.

Festival of Writing

Here are a few details about the Festival of Writing at York University 25--27 March.
Sue Moorcroft has blogged about it but the highlights are:

Breaking news:
- US agent Marcy Posner is joining from over the pond and taking one-to-ones
- Writers Workshop will be offering “next steps” free to three
writers at the Festival who are talent spotted. The writers will be
offered a free manuscript critique, free coaching or a free manuscript
appraisal from Harry Bingham.
- Harper Collins Authonomy are supporting Authonomy Live talent
contest on Friday evening, with editor Patrick Janson-Smith on the
panel. Last years winner, Shelley Harris was offered representation by
4 literary agents in the room, and then went on to achieve a 5 figure
book deal.

For more details look on the Festival of Writing website

Queensland Floods

You 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.

100 Stories for Queensland 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.
http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/

The anthology will be available in digital and print form, and is expected to be ready for release late February/early March.

Details of submission guidelines can be found on the website

Enough, already!

Are you sick of the snow yet? Have you even got any?
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.
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.
This is the view from my window yesterday. It's even deeper today!
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:

Cleaning the house from top to bottom
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?
Sorting out bedlinen for guests over Christmas
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!


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.

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?
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.

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!

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.
xx


My patio!


Who buried the car?

Wannabe a Writer We've Heard of?

Well, of course, you do. I know I'd like my name to trip off the tongue.

Lady in hair salon: 'Sue Houghton? Isn't she that highly-talented author of mega best-selling novels?'
Stylist: 'Yes. She comes in here you know. So witty and charming'

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.




To quote Jill Mansell: 'I really, really recommend this guide. Seriously, it could change your life.'


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'!

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!

If you want to buy Wannabe A Writer We've Heard Of?
it's only £3.50 on Amazon with free P&P.
And if you didn't read Jane's first book Wannabe a Writer? then do check it out, too.

My Weekly

I 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.



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!

Click the link to buy from Amazon: My Weekly Annual 2011

Wedding Talk

Did 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.

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!



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!


That reminds me, Jill Hassall, a writing buddy, has her book out now. Click the link to buy from Amazon.The Greatest Guide to Your Dream Wedding (Greatest Guides)

Halloween

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)



and a big bowl of spicy soup. Jacket spuds with chilli completed the Halloween night!

Lazy Blogger

Yes, I know, it's been a while since I blogged, but I have an excuse...when I can think one up!
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.

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!





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!!



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.

It rained most of that weekend but it didn't stop us exploring Castleton and visiting The Devil's Arse, aka Peak Cavern.


Tom even had a go at rope making.



Great fun and I can't wait until the spring when we can do it all again. But maybe without the rain!

Thinking of the 'C' word

Hate 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!

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.

Talking of Christmas, while I was doing some research for my story, I came across this website 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'!

A Hat Trick

I've had three magazine stories in print this past week. One in My Weekly called Will They Love Her More? - a twist in the tale (thank you Liz Smith for my contributor's copy).
The second is a mystery/cosy crime sale to The Weekly News called Caught (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.

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:


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!

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'.

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.

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.

Right, I'm off for a coffee and a read through my magazine copies.

WORDS WITH JAM

There's only a few days left to enter this one so get scribbling. Words below courtesy of their website.



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.

PRIZES
1st Prize - £300
2nd Prize - £100
3rd Prize - £50

CLOSING DATE
31st August 2010, 12pm GMT

RESULTS
All three winning entries will be published in the December 2010 issue of Words with JAM.

ENTRY FEE
£6 for one entry, £10 for two.

JUDGE
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.

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.

www.suemoorcroft.com
http://suemoorcroft.wordpress.com for news and writing tips

ENTRY
Please CLICK HERE for information on how to enter.

REMINDER?
To receive our FREE PDF e-zine, plus a reminder of the competition closing date nearer the time, CLICK HERE to sign up.

National Short Story Week

National Short Story Week 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.

It's aims are:

1) to get more people reading and listening to short stories

2) to get more people writing short stories

3) to develop creative and commercial opportunities for individuals and organisations involved in the short story form.

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 here.

Not 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.

My first ever post had the title Life Of Riley (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.

How boring am I? I realise I've done exactly the same things this 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 Paul Daniels would say.

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.

It's All Greek To Me

I'm taking part in Sally Quilford's Blog Take Over Day again this year so here goes. Hope you enjoy!

A passport craves a bit of adventure.




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.

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This passport is bound for Vegas, baby!

Whose 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?

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.

I was thinking about this when I came across an interview with Sue Moorcroft on the Singles Titles website. Her two novels Starting Over and All That Mullarkey, published by Choc Lit, 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, read Sue's interview here.

Why 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:

How come I can't get published in the Women's mags?

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!
Here goes...


First off, it probably has nothing to do with how well you write. And I trust you CAN write well before you attempt publication.
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?).

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?

'I'll know it when I see it', 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.

So how do we please them?


* 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***?'

* 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?

* 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.

* 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.


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...


* It was the right story at the wrong 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.

* 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.

* The story was well-written with great characters and a smashing ending BUT the editor regrets she took something similar last week.

* 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.


I'm sure there're a dozen other reasons and any editors reading this blog might like to chip in.

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.

PS Apologies to any wool shop owners(my friend Kath)who wouldn't be seen dead in anything tweed.

ESTA

I'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.
Loved some of the questions on the form - like anyone's going to tick the 'yes' box!

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?
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?

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!

PS. Beware of scam websites that are not only virus-ridden but are asking for around $50 for the application.
See Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert's website for more detailed info

Mid-week Wanderlust

We, that's Himself, my daughter Amy and her fiance Tom, drove out to the Peak District last week. We haven't been that out way since we moved from Sheffield when it used to be a regular thing to just hop off up into the hills. I don't know why we stopped going as it's only 30 miles away from Worksop where we live now. Anyway, I'm glad we went because I'd forgotten how beautiful it is. Helped by the fact we had good weather. I have memories of horrible, biting rain and clouds so low you couldn't see the top of Mam Tor.





There was a bit of mizzle on the way to the Blue John Cavern but the sun came out later on as we descended into Castleton.

This is a pic of me and Himself, completely inappropriately dressed for a trip 300 metres underground but my excuse is we'd only intended to visit Castleton (pub lunch) and I'm allergic to fleece.


After we came out of the cavern (exhausted after climbing 400-plus slippery steps - and note to cavern owners: Please sort out your disgustingly-smelly toilets they smell worse than the sheep!)we drove down into the valley. The scenery is absolutely stunning.







We stopped in Castleton for a pub lunch at The Castle where the service was extremely slow but the food was worth the wait. Real food, if you know what I mean. None of that freezer to microwave rubbish as proven by the caterpillar on Amy's tastefully-arranged vegetables! But we forgave them because we were having such a jolly time. See, I'd never use the word 'jolly' EVER, but that was how the day made me feel, jolly!

There's a Norman church in Castleton and anyone who knows me will guess I spent a happy hour there snapping away. I don't find these places eerie or feel the need to tread carefully around the graves. Why place a magnificent headstone dedicated to your loved ones if you don't want folk to gawp? I find them fascinating and more than once have I written a story based around a headstone. Like this one.






Who were these children? Why did they die so young and one after the other? Why the memorial (obviously not a poor family)and why were they later interred in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin? What is the story behind it? I've done a bit of digging n the Net but so far I haven't come up with anything. No doubt if I'd gone into the church at the time and asked they'd have had some info but our little group wanted to be off to the Lady Bower reservoir.



Derwent Reservoir was next on our list. We found a large picnic area, sat on a bench, ate crisps, drank cola and ducked (why?) as a military helicopter flew over the treetops right above our heads.





We followed the A57 across Derwent viaduct and headed back home making a detour to a Nottingham shopping mall to pick up a 6 berth tent and fleece clothing for any further wanderings into the dales. In fact, Amy & Tom christened the tent this weekend. They are, as I type, camped in a farmer's field with 6 of their mates. And I'm jealous!

PS. I also got a great snap I'm going to send to My Weekly or maybe The People's Friend for their readers page. I earned £50 for My Weekly's star letter last month so not to be sniffed at!

Cupcakes!

Cupcakes instead of a traditional wedding cake? No problem, I can make those! How difficult can it be?

Trial run this morning:

1. Go to Sainsbury's to buy 2 dozen ready-made fairy cakes. Of course I'll make everything from scratch for the big day but this is about practising the decorating, isn't it?
2. Return home only to discover (Dur!)I forgot the butter for the icing.
3. Try corner shop but the only stock salted - need unsalted so reluctantly go back to Sainsbury's. No trolleys and only checkout available is the self-checkout ones I avoid at all costs. Nice assistant offers to do it for me...er, self checkout?
4. Back at my car, realise I forgot the butter so go back and while I'm at it, pick up disposable icing bags (on special offer), sugar strands, mini-marshmallows, choc sprinkles, and some aspirin for the headache.
5. Get home to find I already have all of the above in my cupboard but never mind, if I'm going to be making 120 cupcakes for daughter's wedding, I'll need them.
6. Getting icing to correct consistency proves difficult and maybe I've used too much red food colouring.
7. Start again.
8. Knock over food colouring
9. Spill sugar sprinkles trying to catch food colouring.
10. I can't do this
11. Why did I ever begin this?
12. Can we buy them in instead?
13. What's wrong with a traditional wedding cake anyway?

Eventually, out of the 2 dozen fairy cakes, I end up with 14 only-slightly-wonky cupcakes.
FROM THIS...









TO THIS...