Wednesday, January 13, 2016

The Write Way to Start 2016

I'm excited to share some recent publications and writing news with you all!

First up, most of my regular readers know I'm a huge fan of Nailpolish Stories (stories are 25 words, titles are nail polish colors.) My story, Coming Up Roses, originally published in the July 2015 issue, made it into The Best of 2015 issue. I loved taking a positive phrase and giving it a dark spin. (I know, I know, big surprise.) And, in the January 2016 issue are two more stories, Fade to Black and Shifting Power. 

Next, as a huge fan of literary agent Janet Reid's blog and her flash fiction contests, I was thrilled to see my most recent entry make Finalist. Here's what she had to say about it:

This is incredibly creepy given the clues about the character's age/s.  So much is left to the reader's imagination, but there's exactly the right amount of information here so we can fill it in with all the horror it deserves.  This is very elegant writing.

Whoo hoo!



How's your writing going so far this year? Any exciting news - writing or otherwise - you'd like to share?

28 comments:

  1. Congratulations on both accounts! Flash fiction is tough but you obviously are quite talented in that area.

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    1. Thank you, Alex! It can be tough, but that's probably why I like it. :)

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  2. Nicely done. Of course, I've always known you were a winner. Still, awesome to see you get a couple accolades to back that certainty.

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  3. Congrats on everything! That's awesome! I would love to start writing some shorter pieces.

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    1. Give it a try! I find it easier sometimes to have a starting point, whether it's words that need to be included in the story, a limited word count, etc. Why don't you check out the names of nail polish colors then let your imagination run wild?!

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  4. Congratulations on being a finalist! I love the idea behind the Nailpolish Stories. Congrats again!

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    1. Thanks, Chrys!

      Those nail polish colors/names trigger all sorts of ideas. :)

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  5. Congrats! That's so awesome. I haven't done anything yet this year between me being very sick and the snow days happening. Today, though, today I will write! :)

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    1. If it makes you feel any better, the only one written this year was the Janet Reid contest entry. The others were from last year. :)

      Take care and stay warm!

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  6. Congrats on your story. It was really creepy. Kind of sounds like it could end up as a Criminal Minds piece. The beginnings of a serial killer.

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    1. That's what I was going for! The beginnings of a female serial killer.

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  7. Congratulations. I read your entry and it gave me chills. I am not surprised. You are a champ at saying so much, using so little. Hooray!

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  8. Thanks so much, Liza! I love knowing my story gave you chills. :)

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  9. Congrats Madeline. May your talent continue to shine.

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    1. Thank you! I don't think we need the sunglasses just yet though. :)

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  10. Congratulations! Wow, great feedback from Janet Reid.

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  11. That's awesome to get some Janet Reid recognition--a difficult thing to achieve! Congrats on your two winners!

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    1. Thanks, Hart! There's been plenty of times I've entered those contests and didn't receive a mention. Just have to keep trying! :)

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  12. Congratulations! That is huge! You are definitely starting the new year off with a Bang! Good for you!

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