Continuing to progress with my writing

I’m feeling rather proud of myself and my writing this month. As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been entering writing contests through Globe Soup, who have a wonderful supportive Facebook community. Due to the regularity of their contests, I’ve been writing roughly one short story and one flash story per month since I joined. The regular practice has definitely led to an improvement in my writing skills and writing flash in particular has given me a new appreciation for how much weight and meaning a single word can carry in a story.

On the 31st, Globe Soup announced the winners of two contests that I had entered. For their Open Short Story Contest, I received an honourable mention and for their 7 Day Story Challenge (where you write a story in your allocated genre in 7 days) I was a finalist and top three in the genre that I had been allocated to write in. Being named on the winner’s page means being in the top 10% of submissions and I know every one has several hundred entrants, if not more, so I’m rather proud of the progress that I’ve made in just six months.

I don’t plan to share either story on my website at the moment, because I’m looking into options for publication in online magazines or possibly entering a different contest. If any friends are interested enough to want to read them, you can always get in touch and I’ll email a copy to you 😊

Due to Globe Soup being very kind to their members, I also received a free ticket to their latest contest, which was historical fiction. Ended up writing a fairy tale-esque story set in World War 2. Historical fiction isn’t generally my cup of tea and I wasn’t a fan of all the research I had to do so I don’t think I’ll repeat the experience any time soon 😂 Globe Soup plan to announce the winner for that contest at the end of November so fingers crossed!

In terms of writing George Square, that has taken a bit of a back seat this month but thankfully I was a couple of chapters ahead of myself anyway! When I started, I was far enough ahead to be able to review a few chapters together and move things about if needed. Currently I’m not far enough ahead to do that but I’m going to make a concerted effort to get a couple of chapters drafted this month so I’m ahead of myself again. I promise I will keep going!

Have a wee look at my short fiction if you haven’t already.