Where I'm smug because I get my first short story published

I have been annoying The Husband by going around the house shouting 'yes' and punching the air smugly. The reason for my jubilation?

You may remember that I entered a writing competition entitled "Home Tomorrow"  and I didn't expect to get anywhere as the competition was so stiff.  Well Hurrah! Because look what popped into my in box this week-

"Thank you very much for submitting to the 'Home Tomorrow' writing competition - and well done from James and I (Laura) at Writers' Block and from Gillie and Graeme at Sixth Element, as your entry has been selected to feature as part of the 'Home Tomorrow' anthology. This collection of the strongest of the stories submitted will be published by Sixth Element later this year!

Thank you again for entering the competition - the standard of entries was incredibly high and we are really proud of the talent and diversity showcased in the 'Home Tomorrow' anthology."

This is my first piece of Published fiction so I'm very excited.  Based on this, The Husband says I'll be insufferable if I publish 'The Pearls' but probably even more insufferable if I don't.   Hopefully, I can the post the story on this website shortly, or if you want to read the book which features writing talent from across the North East, including winner Tracey Iceton,  it can be ordered on the link below

TITLE: Home Tomorrow: An Anthology of Short Stories
AUTHOR: Various
Due for release: April/May 2011
Home Tomorrow is a collection of over a hundred short stories submitted to a competition run by the Writers' Block NE and Bohouse in Middlesbrough, with the theme 'Home Tomorrow

http://www.6epublishing.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23&Itemid=37

Thanks again to those of  you to those of you who have reviewed "The Pearls & The Suitcase.  I have done quite well this month and it's progressing at a better pace.  I have set this Summer as a deadline for first draft and even though its self imposed I'm stressing as much as ever. If you feel like sending me a message I would be delighted to hear from you.

As always, thank you for following  and also the comments on my blog. 

Where I bolted to the bus stop still wearing the dentist's bib

One of the things I dread most in this world is a visit to the dentist.  The Husband says I am a wimp of World Class standard and I cannot pretend to be otherwise. I've had this fear since childhood when my dentist, who I believe fancied himself as being in the oil business, drilled merrily away as it speculating in Texas during the boom.   

He was a portly chap, had fingers like bunches of bananas and wore an apron which I had also seen being modelled by our family butcher, not a good sign. Once, after losing my nerve at the last minute, I even bolted through the waiting room and was still wearing  the bib still around my neck when I reached the bus stop and my getaway on the Number 49.

In order to get me to 'the chair' on one occasion, my mother and Granny conspired to bribe me with a bottle Rimmel's scarlet  nail varnish which I had coveted for weeks, since seeing it in the local chemist's.  I was told I could wear this marvellously trashy colour if I had this little 'itty bitty' tooth out. Boy did they knew how to negotiate a deal!  I still sweat when I see red nail varnish today.  The other odd thing was that any one coming from the dentist always wore a scarf, you never see that now. My Mum says it was to keep the cold air away from the gums but I think it was more likely to cover up the gore.

Any way, should I survive today's examination by my gentle and patient dentist I will tell you about my progress with "The Pearls" next week.

Where I find tumbleweed under the dining table

I've been a busy girl since my last post, completed a short piece for a magazine and have been doing quite well with The Pearls & The Suitcase.  The only problem is the house is now falling down around my ears.  This morning I spotted a fluffy cushion lurking under the dining table which, on closer inspection, turned out to be a humongous dust ball. I was considering ringing the Guinness book of records to see if it might take the world title, when it  drifted past like the tumble weed you see rolling down the main street in Western Movies, shedding budgie feathers in its wake. Will get on my marigold gloves and become a domestic goddess for a wee while before finishing another article.  Will let you know how things are going in a few days.