To The Meadow's Edge Now Up

Hi all!

My inspirational short, To the Meadow's Edge, is now up at Bewildering Stories. Come check it out along with all the other great stories in issue 401.

To the Meadow's Edge was created initially over a lunch hour for a writing contest. After the contest was over I tucked it away, frustrated with the overall comments I received. When my ego and pride de-ruffled enough, I pulled it back out and looked it over...

...It was awful. Okay, not too awful, but enough I understood why the story hadn't worked. I put on my writer's mechanic suit, dived under the plot hood, and got to work. Over several weeks and many rewrites I had the story I originally visioned.

With a virtual hug, I tossed it into the submission ring and let it take its course. Bewildering Stories picked it up, gave some further mentoring on the story...and then picked it up. The result is something I'm very proud of.

Just goes to shows, not all stories (rarely any) are ready right off the gate. Most take work and rework.

Good writing all!

Meadow Guide to be Published

I've just received an email from Bewildering Stories that they've accepted Meadow Guide for publication, though it will most likely have a different title. I'm so excited as the magazine is one of my top wish list places to have a story.

Meadow Guide was one of my stories that started life as a dream and follows Georgia through a surreal walk. The original version of it appeared in the Editor Unleashed/Smashwords writing contest last year. Its reception was not well received and barely got 3 stars from reviewers.

It was very disappointing to me and I took my baby down and tucked it in a corner for months. After working on other things, getting many other rejections, and overall thickening my skin to the industry I took it back out.

With fresher and more experienced eyes I read through the story and realized it needed work. Lots of work. I rolled up my sleeves and got to revising. I was really proud of the finished product.

The Editor and Coordinating Editor were awesome to work with and made great editing/revision suggestions that completely sent the piece to another level than even my own revisions could take it.

I'm so proud of Meadow Guide and of being accepted to the magazine. I'll let you know when it's up, which will be in summer sometime, and will keep you posted on the new title for the piece (as soon as I can come up with it).

Good writing all!