I’m jogging along still at a pretty respectable clip.
I made terrific progress editing My Fair Vampire…red-lined my way through four chapters and “The End” since my last progress report. Now to make them in my Word file, then ship it off to my beta readers. Woo-hoo! Now that’s progress I’m proud of. I started Dori’s story last April, finished draft one (the second time) in late Q3 2010. I like the plot. I like the ending that reminds me of that episode of Star Trek where Spock has to go back to Vulcan to mate but instead ends up killing Kirk in a death match. But Bones pulls a fast one and all ends well. MFV is not Star Trek, but that’s the kind of sly ending I like. Hopefully I’m not the only one who thinks that. LOL.
I participated in an extra flash fiction challenge for the month, even though I hadn’t planned on it. I peeked at the theme word, went off to change son #2’s sheets and while doing that, thought of a story. I dashed the thing off and people actually liked it. Go figure. I can agonize for hours over a short to nothing but “meh” responses, but put the pedal to the metal with a vague concept and people like it. I worry about my inability to gauge the quality of my writing.
FINALLY wrote a little bit on Sins. I’m working on it now (researching train timetables counts, doesn’t it?), though I took a break to write this post. (Can you say procrastination?)
On the contest front, I have nothing but sad news. I had REALLY, REALLY wanted to enter this year’s Erma Bombeck contest after missing it last year and receiving a complimentary “almost” email from the judges the year prior. I checked the website yesterday, 2/1/11, and the deadline was—sniffle, sob, wail—1/31/11. One day late (assuming I only needed a day to write something.) To add to my contest misery, although I’ve entered NPR’s round 6 “3-minute fiction” contest, I just read an entry they posted as a frontrunner that made me weep at my unworthiness by comparison. Oh well. Maybe round 7 will be my lucky round.
So recapping: Writing–good, Editing–great, Flash Fiction–awesome, Blogging–on track, Contests–depressing.
My running stats are here. The Linky site where my compatriots are checking in is here.
Claire Gillian 
That happens to me all the time. Some people can really nail a short story. I like humor and it just doesn’t seem as good at the literary, sad, serious stuff. Oh well – I like to life spirits. It’s ok if I don’t win contests! My entry for the 3 min fiction is on my blog, “The Test.” What did you enter?
I like to lift spirits too! I think I’ve entered 4 rounds of the NPR contest so far and all but one of my entries have been humorous. Deep, dark and literary doesn’t come naturally to me. My earlier round entries are on my blog; put up after the winners were announced. I haven’t posted my round 6 cause I was worried it might be considered previously published. My story is called “The Exorcist Tells a Joke”. I’d love to get an honorable mention one day, just a short snippet on the air. That would be an epic win for me. One day.
Good luck to you!
Sorry about the contest woes but everything else seems to be going really well. Great start to the month, I’m in awe!
What’s good and what’s not is in the eye of the ‘reader’ so don’t count your chicken or sing those songs until you know. 🙂
And yeah for good progresss!!