I didn’t want to leave my last post up all weekend - I think just about everything has been said now, and whatever damage has been done, is done. I’m extremely sad about the outcome and the hurt which has been caused by all of this…I would never have expected anybody at all to react so strongly to a few short sentences.
I guess, if anything, it has taught me how very powerful words can be, and it has taught me an important lesson for the future.
Thanks to everyone for your e-mails. x
Anyway…onto other things.
I was vacuuming the carpet earlier, not really taking much notice of what I was doing, when suddenly I heard a rather odd noise. The vacuum cleaner immediately jarred, (although the motor was still going round), and I looked down to see what was going on.
I’d only gone and hoovered the bloody cat up.
There he was, his tail stuck between the rollers and thrashing about like a wild thing! My heart just about stopped as I started flapping around for the off switch. It was only when I turned it off I that I realised the cat was in fact Dan’s black boot, and his tail was the shoelace.
Not a good way to start my morning!
Anyway…it did get better….
Recently, I was encouraged by a friend of mine to enter the ‘Moon Topples Great Big Awesome (Short) Fiction Contest’. She had previously seen some of my fictional work (the sending of which was one of the most terrifying things I have ever done), and she thought I should give it a go. I have to say that I was very hesitant as never before had I publicly shown anything I’d written, or thought I was anywhere near good enough to enter a competition. Anyway, up for a challenge, I bit the bullet and set to work. The rules were 500 words or less, with ‘Vision’ as the theme. It was much harder than I anticipated…especially when my finished story had 540 words and I didn’t want to lose any of them. Even turning my ‘could nots’ to ‘couldn’ts’ didn’t seem to help much!
Well, eventually I managed to dwindle them down, and submitted it. I couldn’t believe the high standard of the entries, and to be honest, as I scrolled through them and saw mine in the middle of them all, I felt completely stupid.
All 44 people who submitted an entry had to vote for their top 5 (we weren’t allowed to vote for ourselves). Anyway, you can imagine my surprise this morning when I discovered I’d won a 5th place Writer’s Choice award!
I am completely and utterly bowled over by it. I really am. Pretty speechless, if the truth be known.
I suppose right now, I should thank her for twisting my arm, so babe…thanks so much for believing in me. x
If you’d like to read my entry, you can click my new shiny award underneath my profile pic. God… I can’t believe I’m doing this….I’m giving my friends a link to my writing! It feels a bit like taking my knickers off in the middle of Sainsbury’s…not that I’d know what that was like of course, but just sayin’.
If you do pop over there you’ll see some fantastic work… so if you have time, read through them all. When Blessed asked me a while ago what I find inspiring, words are pretty much top of my list.
I hope you all have a wonderful and peaceful weekend. x
You are absolutley precious to me.
I’ll be checking your writtings… I can’t wait to see them.
I burst out laughing at the vacuum story! I hope the boot is ok and didn’t incur any serious medical injuries from the incident
WTG with the story thing. I actually thought it said …. “Moon Topless Great ….” – I was about to ask you for your topless picture. HAHA!
I hope you have a wonderful week too
That was supposed to be “weekEND” – guess I was thinking about the topless thing
Thank you for taking your knickers off and sharing your writing with all of us. lol. I told you you were talented. Did you ever consider the fact that maybe you quit your job for a reason?
Maybe, just maybe, you were meant to publish a book…HINT HINT
First of all Congrats!! Your a great writer and I am glad and very proud of you.
Second I sometimes don’t realize how powerful words can be. Saying that, I have never known you to ever say anything intentionlly mean to anyone.
Well, I had no doubt. Talent is talent, good writing is good writing.
With or without knickers.
Not, of course, that I have thought about your knickers.
O! When you told me that you had entered, and to go see if I could pick out which was yours, I thought I had more time. Sigh.
Well, I did do a quick run through of the entries yesterday and picked out some possibilities, and I can truthfully say that yours was among my choices. The writing style sounded like yours which was a tip off…and then, of course, there’s your obsession with socks.
Socks aside…
From the beginning, you have dazzled me with your writing. So proud of you. x
CONGRATULATIONS! I really enjoyed reading your entry. They say the best fiction is based on true events…. Please tell me you didn’t suffer for your art!
Delighted for you! Well done!
Congratulations again on your win. Glad that I got to meet some new folks and see their stories cross the finish line. Also thrilled at how many of the entrants (and winners) were from people who don’t generally share their work.
As to the Moon Topless: I get enough search hits for “topples celebs” that I ought to just go ahead and start posting nude shots of folks.
Give the people what they want, right?
Anyway, thanks for entering, and I hope you’ll give it a whirl again next time…
Just popped in to say well done on the Moon competition. Your entry was in my votes and I was glad to see that others appreciated it. Nicely done.
The amount of times I’ve told you to step out of this field of variable-creating, negative doubt that surrounds, and just go and send your writing to anyone and everyone, but you just won’t listen.
Doesn’t this prove that by writing something like this, and achieving 5th place, probably without even being really dedicated to your writing, show what you can achieve.
You’ll never achieve your dream if you just sit there on the rocking chair, swining back and fourth, but not working towards your goal.
I think I speak for everyone who reads and comments on your blog when I say “For god’s sake, just bloody well do it”.
Way to go Miss U, biggest congratulations on you 5th place. Didn’t I say to you months ago, get some of that unpublished stuff into circulation?
I’m with Dan on this one “For god’s sake, just bloody well do it” Your writing is so very powerful, no matter what the subject matter and it is a waste, and quite frankly, pretty bloody selfish to keep it all to yourself!! Let’s have MORE.
OK, off for a read at The Moon Topples.
Hey way to go Kiddo. I have not been over there to read them yet but rest assued I will. I hope you have a geat weekend and a great first part of next week. Wait a minute does that mean that we do not get any new post all weekend. That sucks. I love to hear from you. Hugs to you Kiddo…and a little peck on the cheek. (the one on your head ha ha ha LOL)
Hugs, Miss!
Congratulations! What I thought was particularly cool about the story are the little personal touches those of us who’ve been reading your writing for a while will pick up. Such as the comment about the white socks! I love “in” jokes . . .
Now if you can just keep the cats out of the vacuum cleaner, life would be perfect . . .
not sure what happened to the other comment I left you,(blogger ate it?). I really enjoyed your story, congratulations on your award.
I am so proud of you. For winning, but also, for being who you are. For standing in your truth and for being such a good friend.
Laney, you write so beautifully. You deserve to be recognized for it. Congratulations.
And I agree with Darfuria that you should follow your dreams.
5th place, huh? I’m not surprised. You’re a hell of a writer. You should have mroe confidence in your work.
Steve~
Congrats!
Fantastic work. I loved the written piece you submitted.
Well done!!
Robyn – That goes both ways sweetie. x
Suck Me – I think if it had said that, I wouldn’t have won a damn thing! Have a great weekend too
Shelly – I would love nothing more. I think it’s a bit like not liking the sound of yor own voice though- everyone else sounds so much nicer! My problem is I start something and dry up half way through. You wouldn’t believe how many unfinished books I have on the go! Thanks for your lovely words. x
Erika – Thanks for that. x
I would never intentionally hurt anybody, but you’re right. Words are so powerful.
Ted – Aww thanks. x
Seriously? You’ve never thought about my knickers?
Damn!
The Big One – I didn’t expect you to vote…what would have been the point in that? It would have been like cheating. I’m really glad I didn’t get any votes from people who know me, and that I was chosen by the writers, not the readers.
If there’s anyone I should be thanking now (taking my award and taking my bow), it’s you. I’d never have written a book without you…lol…and I would never have had the courage to do anything like this without your constant support and encouragement. x
Ellie – Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thankfully, it was pure fiction, lol.
The Moon Topples – Thanks to you for a great contest. I’ll definitely be doing this again, it was so much fun.
Let me know if you need some topless shots. I have lots of friends!
Minx – Thanks so much for your vote…it really means a lot to me that you enjoyed it, especially as they were so many fantastic entries.
Darfuria – Ok! ok! I get your point! I am, at the moment looking into it, alright? I’ve subscribed to a writer’s site which has all sorts of great info for budding writers. Perhaps you should check it out too? I actually saw the perfect competition for you earlier..I’ll tell you all about it when you get up
Ali – I guess if people keep encouragng me the way you have, I’ll have no choice but to listen! Thanks for your support…it means a lot. x
KT – I loved that picture of you on your site by the way, so the kiss is very welcome
I tend not to write at the weekends because everybody seems to disappear. Where the hell they go, I have no idea, but can’t you feel a cold wind sweeping through the place?
Hope you enjoy the story. x
GE – Hugs back at ya. x
Cherrie – I couldn’t have left the socks bit out, could I? I’m glad you picked up on it! x
Art – Thank you. x
TME -Aww…don’t get me all soppy now! Thanks sweetie…for everything. xx
Steve – *gulp*
Um…that actually means a lot to me…coming from someone as talented as you. Thank you. x
kissmekate – Thanks so much for commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed it
I have links to several pretty good writer’s sites, by the way, if you’re interested. It’s always good to know how the industry works — that can be at least as mysterious as the whole creative process itself….
congrats on the award lass, several great stories, and yours was one of them….:)
Cats should learn to avoid vacuums…:)
Congrats your beautifulness!
Hi Laney! I haven’t stopped by in a bit because I’ve been busy, but it looks like I have some catching up to do. Congratulations on your award! You rock!
But when you say,
It feels a bit like taking my knickers off in the middle of Sainsbury’s
I would say, try it and see what it feels like … but bring a camera please. (There I go getting all naughty again.)
Hugs and kisses Sweetie!
Congratulations! You are a good writer and should not put yourself down, I love to stop by and read.
I have hoovered some things up in my time but never a boot. Once I sucked up a large piece of dope. lol
Congrats!
Congrats! omg the cat tease had my laughing my ass off.
Ted -If you could email the links, that would be great! Thanks. ♥
Congratulations, I’m really chuffed for you and, I’m looking forward to having a read later on today when I have a little more time!!!!!
errrrm….. Which Sainsburys do you shop at?
I read it and I sit and wonder how you do it. I thought it was wonderful and humorous.
strut your stuff, put it out there for everyone to enjoy.
Well done Miss! I’m a big fan of your writing too!
Can’t wait to see all the awards down the side of your blog- and now you’ve got a little confidence up you should go for it!
And PS! Sorry if I reacted strongly in my last comment; though I truly would’ve reached out across the pond and smacked that person if I could’ve for the harsh words they said to you!
Well as promised, I’ve had a read and I think it’s excellent, so well done!!!
I’m going to have a go next time to see if I can actually achieve a position other than last, although I realise this is going to be incredible difficult to accomplish.
I’ll obviously be writing under a false name to save myself the humiliation.
Ditto what Robyn said
Mike – Come on down to Exeter….I’ll give you diretions!
Kitty – Thanks…I’m glad you liked it. x
Actually, I don’t think I’ll be as terrified next time round…but it’s taken a very long time to reach that stage.
rn_bufoon – Oh…I wish, lol!
Hey…no apology necessary. I was just trying to do and say the right thing…even if my insides were telling me something different. xx
Mike – You don’t need a false name. They don’t list who had what votes, so you wouldn’t have to suffer any humiliation at all. Anyway, it’s all personal preference at the end of the day…the ones I thought deserved a prize didn’t get one. I still can’t believe I was chosen, because in comparison, my writing looked like a playschool entry!
I can’t wait to see what you come up with though. x
Kristen – That actually brought a lump to my throat. x
Excellent work – I’ve always enjoyed your writing, and am really pleased for you