Here's a random photo for use as a story prompt. (If anyone writes, or even better sells, a story inspired by one of my photos, please let me know.)This month's discussion topic – What have you been up to writing wise recently?
One thing I've done is to introduce a new feature on my other blog – the Friday Freebie. Each time it runs there's a chance to win a paperback, just by leaving a comment (one of mine is currently featured). There will also often be links to free ebooks. As well as offering free reads, this is an opportunity for writing friends to promote their books.
Talking of which No Family Secrets is on special offer at 99p/99c.
Please comment on the discussion topic, share success (or otherwise!) report any womag news, tips, advice you may have, make womag related comments or observations and ask questions – and answer them too if you can help.
Without your input, via comments on here, by sending me news, or offering appropriate guests posts, this blog won't continue.
25 comments:
This blog used to be a lot busier! Maybe some womag writers have stopped writing for this market, due to all rights contacts issues. I've several blog posts needing a home!
It's campnanowrimo month so I've been (supposedly) slogging hard at writing a novel (22K in and faultering). In between I got a great idea for a short story and sold it! Just writing another one now...
I'm afraid I don't have any advice to give (except don't write stories like mine because I've yet to have one accepted by a womag!) But I have found the advice and updates here to be invaluable and greatly appreciate the effort & time that has gone unto maintaining this blog.
You had a great view out of the van that day!
The Womagwriter's Blog is an immensely useful place to visit for anyone approaching the women's magazine fiction market. Even if things go a bit quiet, from time to time, it's good to know it's there, and we've seen how dynamic a forum it becomes in times of stress. With your vast experience of publication around the world, Patsy, I hope you will continue with the blog. I always enjoyed the presence of short fiction in magazines and haven't given up hope that it will make something of a comeback - now that really would get the comments flooding in! Best wishes from Eirin Thompson.
This blog is an invaluable resource, Patsy. I often (less often) refer to the terms and conditions on the right hand side for individual magazines. Have been following since before you ran it. Love it!
Alyson
Don't abandon us, Patsy! We need you. I think lots of us are a bit quiet because, as Sharon says, the rights issues have had a pretty negative affect on many of us. Hopefully as Eirin says, fiction may make something of a comeback and get us all chattering again!
Good wishes
Kate Hogan
@ Sharon – You may be right that some writers have given up, but I don't think that's the only reason people don't support this blog by leaving comments.
@ Bubble – well done and congratulations on the sale.
@ Lindsay – Do you think it's your subject matter, writing style, or something else which makes your stories unsuitable for wombats?
@ Alex – I certainly did!
@ Erin – I'm hopeful too that there may be a change for the better. I'd certainly love to have positive news to report.
@ Alyson – I even look things up on here myself!
@ Kate – Let's hope so.
I can only echo what has already been said, Patsy. Your blog is, and continues to be an invaluable resource for information and inspiration for all us Womag writers - please don't leave us!
On another subject: licking my wounds after two near-misses with PF I'm in the throes of writing a pocket novel but floundering. My question is - does writer's block really exist? And if so, how do writers overcome it?
Very best wishes, Patricia Galvan
@ Patricia – good question! I'm not absolutely sure it does exist, but there are definitely times when writing seems harder, or when we're far more likely to be distracted, feel less confident etc. When that happens I tend to do something else for a while and come back to the writing later.
@Patsy, Not sure what it is about my stories not hitting the mark for womags, perhaps storylines need to be more linear, whereas in some I tend to write 'reveals' but I promise wombats love them. Next wombat I see in Aus is going to be named Womag.
Your blog is much appreciated by me, Patsy. I am enjoying writing stories aimed at The Weekly News at the moment - the 12-1500 words size seems to suit me and it's a new challenge to write for men as well as women.
I for one would be devastated should you decide to leave us, Patsy. I do check in every day, although I rarely comment. Ok, I'll try harder from now on.
Angie M.
As somebody relatively new to womag writing (terrible timing, I know!) I've found this blog incredibly useful and informative. I've had limited success with womags, and have recently followed Patsy's suggestion about writing fillers. I've sold two 'true cat tales' to Your Cat magazine! 🐱
Please keep the blog going!
Does anybody else out there get updates from Little Ms... offshoot of Mslexia? They often have small competitions based around picture prompts. Small cash prizes and fun to do. I've had no success so far though!
@ Lindsay He he – I keep forgetting Blogger randomly auto corrects womags to wombats.
@ Kate – I find that length can be tricky – I either have too much story, not enough or just right, but the wrong subject matter!
@ Angie – Comments are always appreciated and news doesn't have to be dramatic stuff. Knowing how long different magazines take to respond, what genre of story they're taking, reasons for rejection etc is all interesting and may help others. Comments also tell me people have read the post and that I'm not talking to myself, which is how it often feels.
@ New girl – It's great to hear that you've found a blog post useful. I make them in the hope of that happening, but don't know if I'm succesful unless people leave comments. I've tried making posts on several different topics and got almost no response, so I've not posted more similar posts.
I know what you mean by Little Ms, but haven't tried the competitions. Thanks for mentioning them – I'll look into them.
I agree with everyone else, Patsy, please don't abandon the blog! It is such a useful place to check on information, or to get ideas - it might have just been a bit quiet because of the hot weather and Easter. I know I haven't done much writing these past few days due to DIY jobs, or tending the garden. Now the weather's changed, hoping to get back into it!
Dear Patsy - a note in appreciation of your blog, which is always good to read! Am in the midst of PF serial just now, but perhaps would be lovely to write a bit about it if and when publication looms (at this rate, probably in about a year's time :-))
Penny A.
Patsy please keep up the blog! I have been following it regularly since I discovered it about a year and a half ago and it has been incredibly useful. I'm afraid I don't comment because, like one of the other messages you've received, I haven't had any stories accepted yet so not sure I have anything useful to say! I've had four rejections from PF - each one with a different reason. Every time I take on board the feedback but they find something different that's wrong in the next one. At what point do people think they've submitted enough and their style just doesn't work for a particular magazine? 10? 20? (Not sure I can bear to get to 20...)
Holly B
@ Carrie – The blog has been quiet a lot longer than the weather has been warm, but I do agree with you that our writing can be seasonal and most of us do more when the weather is less pleasant.
@ Penny – I'd certainly be interested in reading about your experience of writing a serial. It's something I'd like to do, but haven't yet thought up a suitable plot for.
@ Holly - 20 rejections isn't many, you can trust me on that! As long as you're reacting to the feedback and doing all you can to adapt your writing to the magazine's particular style and following all the guidelines, they won't mind you trying again. Are you reading current issues, so you get a feel for what they want?
I'm not much of a commenter generally, but just wanted to say this blog has been very much appreciated. I've tried and failed in the past with a (small) number of womag submissions and was on point of trying again when the rights issue happened and put me off totally. Thanks for all your efforts with that, however frustrating.
@ Meryl – The rights stuff was and syill is very frustrating indeed, but thankfully not all publishers insist we give up all rights to our work.
Yes, I do take on board the feedback PF give and I think it's great that they do that and I do read the magazine but probably need to spend a bit more time studying the types of stories they go for rather than getting excited and just wanting to get my story on paper...
Holly
@ Holly – Writing a good story is only part of the battle. Writing one to suit a particular market (or editing it to suit, or finding one it's suitable for) is just as important – and quite possibly harder!
Just discovered this blog and find it so encouraging. Have just had first rejection with feedback from PF. Will keep on trying now I realise that it is not personal.
Please keep going with the blog.
I will follow with interest.
Karelann
@ Karelann – rejections can seem very personal, and be very demoralising. I'm glad you realise they're just part of the proces and won't let it put you off.
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