h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Nadia, thanks very much for popping by and saying hello. Nice to get some feedback, thanks for your very warm comments. It makes it all seem worth the effort.
Flame

You're entirely welcome, thanks for stopping by. It's nice to see a new writer about the place.

Creative stuff tends not to get the attention it deserves on hootoo, the focus being so much on the edited guide but don't let that get you down. Far more people read than comment and you are making more of an impression than most.

How long have you been writing?

N

Hi I only started writing in March. It's quite a nice little story as to how it started, I'll tell you about it if you are ever interested.

I do have one entry in the edited guide which is awaiting approval but I've decided to concentrate more on the creative side. I love the power of the pen. Even though it has me pulling my hair out at times mostly its great fun. Are you a short story teller yourself?
Flame

If you started in March then you're learning fast. Stick to the creative stuff, you've got bags of aptitude for it. Please tell me how it all started.

I do write, long and short and it is indeed fun.


N

It all started when I walked into a gallery and saw two copy paintings by Jack Vettriano. Much to my shame I’d never even heard of him; but to say I was knocked out by his work is an understatement. I was like an excited schoolgirl. I bought one of the prints and as soon as I arrived home I looked Jack and his work up on the net. For some strange reason I felt relieved his was a living artist. I could see such beauty in his work is was joyous.

Much to my disappointment none of my friends had heard of him either so these feelings I couldn't express were bubbling inside. One day I was sitting on bus thinking about his work and just had to get these feelings out of my system. Came home and just started writing a story, imagining I was a model in one of his paintings. Fat chance of that, lol but it was nice to imagine.

About a week later I stumbled across h2g2 and joined up; and then rather hesitantly submitted my story. Felt a bit of a fool really. Anyway, JWF took the story on board and featured it on his page. Gave me loads of encouragement and self belief and it’s gone on from there and I've had a few bits featured. Since I’ve started to write I’ve discovered why I was so glad JV is still alive. I’ve realized that whatever I see in his work is something alive in me.

Next week I’m going to London to view Vettriano’s exhibition. As he was the catalyst to my writing I can hardly wait.

Any of your stories I might like to read?
Flame

Art of all kinds can grab one like that. I'm glad you got that catalyst into writing, it's a joyful feeling. Thank you for sharing that with me.

I can't promise that you'll like them but here are the two that have gone into the UG.

A1119124
A2163791

Speaking of which the UG needs volunteers rather badly (see how I worked that in all natural like) and I think you'd be a good miner. Whaddayasay?

N

Great stories, both extremely well writen. I especially loved Rusalka, beautifully narrated and written with some real emotion behind the words. I could certainly feel the pull of that story. Lovely writing Well done! You have obviously mastered your craft. Have you had any work published? I'll certainly consider becoming a miner at a later date but hope you don't mind too much if I turn down the offer for the moment. I'm so new here I'm only just finding my way around the site. I will keep it in mind, and once I have a few more months of writing under my belt come back to me with the same question if you wish. But if I do happen to discover a great story I'll let you know.
Flame

Of course, there's no pressure. Find your feet and see what you think later.

I'm glad you liked Rusalka, I'm fond of that one. The only thing I've had published is Game Play. Mostly because I haven't sent anything else off and I don't get much time to work on short fiction any more. I'm writing a novel for a writing course and that eats up pretty much all of my writing time.

Hootoo is a good place to practice and learn. It's important to have an audience and feedback, especially whey you are starting out.

N

That is brilliant if you have the confidence and talent to be working on a novel. The very best of luck with it. Hope to see your work on the best sellers list one day! I hope you will keep me posted with your progress. Great chatting with you today.
Flame

Thanks Flame, you're a sweety. Stop by any time.

N - Shift nearly over. Yipee homesoon.

Hello Nadia,

How are you? Haven't seen you about lately. Hope the novel is going well. I went to Vettriano's exhibition in London last Saturday. Good day out although the real thing was well beyond my price range That is, unless I was willing to sell my house and live in a caravan with a very nice picture on the wall. Did buy a copy silk screen print, can't wait for it to arrive.
Flame

That sounds like wonderful fun. Did seeing them in the flesh live up to your expectations? And has it inspired you to write more?

I haven't been around much because I haven't been in work! Should be around more soon though.

N

Yes, it was a very interesting day. Lovely to see the sheen of the oils on canvas but it didn't really inspire me further. I think I've already got that many ideas floating around in my head I don't know where to put them all at the moment, but hopefully on paper at some point.

I've started to look into trying to get some work published. Didn't realize it was such a mine field. Sending off for various magazine guidelines, and maybe will be able to tweek a few things in my stories to suit. Sent a few stories off via e-mail to a magazine a few days ago. They state they will get back to you within a week but will just have to wait and see how true that turns out to be. Will be good to get some initial feedback while I am waiting for guidelines to come through the post.

Also thinking about doing a part time creative course in September at the local college, more for tips and advice about setting your work out. Also the chance to mix in the company of a few other would be writers. The after class trip to the pub that usually develops from any classes is always the best thing!

Within a week? I'd be doubtful of that claim. With most it's more like 3 to 6 months. A creative writing course is probably a good idea, if for no other reason than it will give you a support group of other writers. Hootoo can be good for that but face to face conversations fill different needs. There are any number of good 'how to write' type books but to be honest I've never found them all that useful. Far better to live and read and soak up influences. And of course to experiment. Words are fun and are meant to be played with.

Tips for sending work out, there are no hard and fast rules, but...send more than one but no more than three stories or around seven poems tops. Try to chose pieces that present a contrast with each other. Covering letter should never be on more than one page. Make it clear that you have read the magazine, mention briefly any relevant publishing history. Do try to find out the editor's name and address the letter specifically to her/him. On every page put the story title, your name and the page number. Include an SAE with the apropriate ammount of postage on it. If an editor rejects the pieces you've sent but asks to see more, send more - they're not just being polite. Editors don't do polite. Get a copy of The Writers and Artists Year Book or any similar writer's book, or look for them in the library - all libraries have them.

Quite a few of the bigger literary magazines have websites but you will usually still have to submit in hardcopy. It's still worth lookin at the website, they usually have sample stories, guidelines and useful links. Be wary of online magazines, there can be copyright issues with them. Be suspicious of any magazie that wants you to sign away copyright. They sould be asking for first publishing rights only.

Mslexia, Stand, the London Review of Books, New Welsh Review, QWF are all worth looking up though there are lots of others. Fiction competitions are also worth looking at. Most have a submission fee but tey also pay a lot more tham magazines will.

That's all I can think of for now. I hope some of it is helpfull.

N

Thank you very much. That looks like really useful information and I'm going to print it off (when I get my printer set up that is). Thanks for taking the time to explain it all, rest assured I will keep your advice in mind. Thanks again!
Flame

If you have questions just ask. If I don't know the answers I know a lot of writers who would.

N

Brilliant! I'll keep that in mind as well. Thanks for being so helpful.

Flame

Hello Nadia. Long time no see. How are you? Hope life is treating you well. I had a busy summer and didn't spend too much time around h2g2, but needless to say I couldn't stay away too long. Now the winter nights are here I'm starting to write again. Hope everything is well with you......

FOG

Hi Flame, nice to see you

I came down with a dose of crazy through the summer . All better now though and I'm writing again. And trying to catch up with what's gone into the AWW so that I can start mining again. (more)

How about you? I hope your busy summer was better than mine.

Finishing work in 10 minutes......gonna go home and play the new gta game.

N

Just a quick line to say hello and to wish you a very Happy Xmas and New Year.

Have a great one,

Pauline

P.S. I loved the Barbie entry.