I’ve had a load of failures with the competitions I’ve entered so now I’ve stopped my short story writing for now.
I have one bright spark though – I still await the academic assessment of my first three chapters of my er.. “novel” due in August. I thought that once I get a completely objective overview I’d know what to do next – as in carry on or just give up completely and fulfil my destiny as Crazy Charlie-Cat Lady.
In the meantime I really need to return to some neglected household duties.
Like ironing.
Here is some of my pile of (at last count) twenty –four items that I really really need to iron.
Yes – this wondrous service called "The Ironing Maiden" has just opened down the road from me. And joy of joys - for pennies per item they will do your ironing! Ahem.
When a door shuts a window opens. Or something
Charlie says: I have a better idea. I sit on your clothes and press them.
Have a crease-free Wednesday everyone!
43 comments:
Hi Charlie
We all like your idea of ironing!
PS
Momma uses a steamer to "iron" all of her clothing.
purrin
Abby
My mother in law speaks wonders of having your ironing pressed! Too bad I'm too poor to afford it...and there's no service like that here. Just me...
Chin up on the writing! And regardless of your feedback, you shouldn't quit.
There is a shirt in my closet that I haven't worn in two years because it needs ironing. Can I move to your street? Wait, I just moved. No Iron Maiden in San Pedro. I guess that shirt will just stay wrinkled.
When a need arises, so does the solution! (My solution is to wear wrinkled clothes) Horrible I know but I despise ironing!
I like Charlie's ironing method!
They say the writers who succeed are the ones who don't give up. I have to believe that, or I would have given up years ago. It's a frustrating business, to be sure, but I guess I love it anyway.
Oh, the Ironing Maiden, and Charlie pressing your clothes. You have a rare "talent." You see humor all around you. Humor is usually sadly lacking in stories, maybe because humor is the most difficult to do well. I can't do it.
Anyway, Dear, dear Jennifer. Writing can be so discouraging. A famous writer, sci-fi author Orson Scott Card, said that there are easier ways to make money, that's assuming we want to make some money by writing. I'll be honest--I do. But I also want to be published. There's something so satisfying about someone reading something you've written and liking it. But like you, I've entered many story contests and paid the entry fees, but I don't do this anymore. But I keep working on my novel, I guess because even if it never gets published I still want to say I wrote a good book. But there IS more to life than getting published. There are children, and cats (and dogs), and ironing to do, and friends. And I know there are many people, including me, who love to read your delightful posts. Never, never give this up!! Jen says, "She's a fun kid." This means YOU.
I like Charlie's plan but in a pinch I would definitely hire the Iron Maiden before tackling the chore myself!
I like Charlie's plan but in a pinch I would definitely hire the Iron Maiden before tackling the chore myself!
Are you kidding me,,,,a place to iron! I would have them iron my stuff too! Although Lilly is with Charlie, she would rather lay on the clothes than have me pay and then I can buy her new toys instead!
xxoo
Deborah
Hi Charlie! What i good idea to help you mummy press her clothes :D
* Chiku did the same too :p
I don't know about the Iron Maiden, but Charlie cat could be a help. You see, my uniforms are white and Spontaneous just sheds black hair on them. (She is an equal oportunity shedder, she sheds her white hairs on my black jeans).
Smiles,
Kat
uh... we all get tons of rejections, kit, so never give up
a pal was rejected by 200 publishers for his novel, but he kept on, where others quit... yes, it's now published!
j evans has a 250-word contest on, give it a try... link in my sidebar
this will be my 5th entry
Taking time away is a good idea, but don't let it keep you down. You're a writer, and you do it because you love it (I assume). Good luck with the break.
Btw, I wish there was an ironing service around here. That's fantastic! Usually I let my Charlie-like folk take care of it for me :)
Hahaha! Charlie is certainly very helpful!
Well, we Cats are worried about your creative well running dry...actually, not really, but Mommy is.
Mommy says take a break and pet Charlie. And get the ironing done.
I hope you will keep writing, I have enjoyed your work; good luck with the novel assessment...We think Charlie is doing a great job pressing your clothes, although The Ironing Maiden is brilliant!...Have a happy Wednesday sweet friends...xo...J, Calle, Halle, Sukki
Please don't give up on the writing, we all have so many rejections.
As for the ironing place, could they open a branch beside me?
Taking a break from the writing is often a good idea, Old Kitty, but don't give up on it altogether! A brilliant website for help and advice on short story writing is Sally Zigmond's 'The Elephant in the Writing Room' http://theelephantinthewritingroom.blogspot.com/
Have you come across this already? Sally is a very successful, prize-winning author of short stories, as well as a published novelist, and her online Short Story course is a terrific help.
Don't give up! It must be tough going through a bad patch, but unless you've stopped enjoying it, please don't give up.
The ironing service sounds like a great idea.
Hang on in there, something will come up. Your writing is just waiting for the right opening.
I love the ironing idea and say yes send it out. Mind Charie's idea is a good one too.. Hugs GJ x
i love charlie's idea of him pressing the clothes hehehe
You actually iron? LOL. You're a step ahead of me! Even paying someone to do it would be a step ahead of me!
I can't offer suggestions and advice about writing, Jennifer. But I can say to follow your heart. There are a lot of well-known authors out there who had to go through rejection after rejection before they found a publisher. That said, for every published author, I'm sure there are a innumerable unpublished ones. Rather like wanting to be an actor. Determination plays a factor, I think. Commitment. Because if you commit to a course of action and refuse to accept anything less, the Universe *will* open doors...and windows. But it does take that absolute, utter commitment to what you want.
Lots of (((hugs))) to you and smooches to Charlie.
are you serious? there isn't something like this nowhere near to where I live! I doubt there's something like this in Poland at all! Usually I like ironing, because it doesn't require thinking and it's good to...well...turn off your brain for an hour or so, but I would gladly have someone else to do that for me. Unless I'd have to pay too much.... :)
There is such a thing as an iron? Hm. And there was me thinking it was just something invented for Monopoly. :)
As for your writing - look on this as a learning curve, and keep going! Although a little break to recharge batteries now and again works for me.
Hang on in there with the competitions.
And if it is any consolation, my pile of ironing is bigger!
Looks like Charlie is doing a great job of pressing the clothes. I just buy things that don't need ironing. Glad you found an ironing maiden though. That is a good find.
Have a great day.
Unfortunately no ironing services here - just do it yourself!!.
Jenn - don't give up on your writing I have really enjoyed your 30 something word ones. Take a few weeks off and then you will start again with gusto - don't give up or you'll always regret not knowing.
Ironing...let's see....I read about that in an ancient tome once...
Mabel says Charlie has the right idea! She likes to get the clothes that are fresh out of the dryer and plop her tremendous body on them!
Step back, take a deep breath and take a break from your writing. (No comments about hypocrisy today!!) Things will look brighter tomorrow.
Sorry to hear about the purgatory! Don't give up though. You know, a person who does other person's ironing, sees all their different clothes and imagines what they must be like - that sounds like a good idea for a short story ...
Oh no... Don't let the rejections stop you, Old Kitty! Keep going! I could show you my stack of Rs but I'd prefer not to think about it. Let's just say: I feel your pain!
Still, there's nothing like freshly ironed shirts to make you feel better.
dearest kitty-i see you like bright colors--hooray!
i too have been daunted when writing/attempting to publish. it is distressing. but our animal friends dont care if we get famous! they love us unconditionally, and we are learning to love ouselves, too
Charlie has some very pressing issues on his mind! I agree with some of the others, don't quit writing, but a break is good. Maybe you're stressing too much on topics that others select vs. things you are passionate about.
Keep writing, Old Kitty! Many an author had rejection after rejection until they finally became published -- never give up!
I need an ironing maiden! I usually don't mind doing the chore but it has been so hot and humid this summer that I have neglected the task.
My vote... (you asked for a vote, right?) is to KEEP GOING. I think your 3 chapters will untimately need polishing again, and possibly REWRITING, but I think you will be better able to do it when you get to the end... have found your STRIDE so to speak, and know what you are heading toward.
And Ironing? What's that? (love the name Ironing Maiden, though!)
We volunteer to help Charlie press your clothes........and we will work for free.....:) xxxxxxxxx
It's not necessary to iron anything. Believe me - I gave up years ago and no one's noticed.
At least, no one's ever commented!
Top tip for the day - never buy anything made of linen, except tea-towels.
I need an ironing maiden, but my husband won't let me. Apparently, I'M the ironing maiden.
My cat always tries to sit on my folded clothes. Probably thinks she's helping.
Whatever you hear about your writing, remember, it's just one person's perspective. You keep going! Don't stay in writer's purgatory too long.
Repeat after me - I.Am.Not.Giving.Up. No matter what they say.
Aw, don't give it up! You're too good, not winning a comp or not being published doesn't mean you're not good enough at all. It's what suits the editor/reader at the time. It's all about timing! I had about sixty short story rejections before I got one accepted.
And ironing wise, I hardly do any unless it's really important. Imagine ironing for a living? Aargh!
Great idea Charlie, but I'm afraid that just makes the creses worse :(
Ironing Maidens....how wonderful is that. I need one of those to open up down the road from my house. I hate hate hate ironing.
Hang in there with the writing. Don't give up. After all the only way to go is up...right...well at least that is what I keep telling myself.
PS. I made it to this stage, lets see if I can get through the next comment posting stage. LOL
Sorry about your writing purgatory. Never quit.
I like the Charlie-ironing system!
I don't iron. Ever.
Love,
Lola
What a great name!
Charlie looks like he's getting some much needed rest!
Have you noticed than when you have a black cat they sit on white washing and when you have a white cat they sit on dark washing?
Keep persevering - you have had some excellent feedback about your writing, I have a friend in a very similar situation, I'm sure it is a question of not giving up, but it's hard when you can't see into the future. I think you should keep the writing going in parallel with Crazy-Cat-Lady persona too, you shouldn't have to choose one or the other! xx
Post a Comment