Christmassy Films for Cold Winter Days

I like to watch a TV programme or film while ironing – it makes it much less of a chore. Since the snow and ice have kept me in more than usual, I had no excuse not to get a pile of ironing done. Since there was nothing decent on TV, I watched my old DVD of ‘Little Women’ – the one with Winona Ryder as Jo, Susan Sarandon as the mother and a young Kirsten Dunst as Amy.

A brilliant choice for a cold, snow-white afternoon! Apart from the fact the story takes place around Christmas, with beautiful winter scenery, it’s such a ‘feel good’ film that my eyes were watering (and not from the cold) even before Beth’s sad demise. I’ve always loved the book and film versions but I was struck again by the very distinct characters of the girls, and the way the mother (and author of course) acknowledges how tough it was for women in those days.

I’m sure many of you must have favourite films for this time of year and I wouldn’t be surprised if ‘It’s a Wonderful Life ‘is among them.

Keep warm and safe,
Rosemary

Words with Jam

I’m highlighting an excellent e-zine that wings its way to my inbox each quarter, as I was reading another few pages from the October issue this morning (I’m a bit behind with all kinds of magazines). It's delivered to subscribers’ inboxes as an online magazine with turnover pages, but you can also download it as a Pdf.

Subscribing to it is easy and free. The magazine itself is informative, interesting, sometimes irreverent – and always entertaining. There are interviews, essential tips for writers, stories and much more.

You can find all the details here.

Happy reading,
Rosemary

E-Readers and E-Books

I never thought I’d be giving e-readers a second look yet, if at all – I’ve always loved everything about real books too much. Surely nothing could beat opening up a crisp new book and settling down to turn the pages. Why would I ever want to read a novel on a screen?

Welcome to the second decade of the 21st century, where such musings are now being heard all over the country. So my husband and I decided to try it out and bought a Kindle between us as a joint birthday present. All the books from my Canadian publisher are released as e-books first and I want to read some of the North American authors I’ve got to know on the chat forums.

Well, big surprise: I liked it immediately. In fact, since I’m more ‘techy’ than my husband, he hasn’t even bothered to study it yet and it’s fast becoming my kindle! I’d read about the special e-ink that makes it read more like a print page than a computer screen, and I have to agree with that. There is no glare at all from the page - even in sun apparently, though I’ll need to wait until summer to test that.

It’s amazingly neat, thin and light and very comfortable to hold. Turning pages (forward or back) is a matter of pressing the button down either side. You can change the size of font, which is a huge consideration for people with less than perfect sight. And after it’s been switched off, you can go straight back to where you left off. I haven’t taken one to bed yet, as I’m reading a huge paperback there just now, but I'll try it soon.

The most magical thing of all is the ease with which you can access the Amazon book store and download books in seconds. Far too easy and convenient, but think how great that is for the authors! It stores a few thousand books at a time, the battery life is superb and it comes wi-fi enabled. What a difference it will make to travelling with books.

Okay, this is not meant to be an advertisement for one particular e-book, but it’s the one I happen to have. There’s also the Sony e-reader, the Nook (Barnes & Noble) and the I-Pad, all of which will have their own advantages. Meantime, I’m getting to know my new toy. So far, I’ve only downloaded a friend’s book and I’m greatly enjoying the reading experience (and the book!) during the evenings. I now have a list of North American authors to try next and this will be the easiest way to buy and read their books.

I’d be delighted to hear if anyone else has experience of any of the e-readers, positive and negative!

Rosemary

National Short Story Week in November

Great news for all short story writers and wannabe writers, as the first National Short Story Week takes place from 22nd to 28th November.

There’s an excellent National Short Story website which covers everything to do with writing, reading and listening to short stories – and they aim to update it with more information.

Worth checking it out!
Rosemary

Prima Magazine

I'm in this month's Prima Magazine (November)! So I thought I would share all the opportunities available in this friendly publication.

Prima is a lovely monthly magazine that's not quite as expensive as some of the other glossies. It's very down to earth and packed with some great features and practical recipes. There's a real family feel to the publication, with lots of reader participation.

Here are a few opportunities worth checking out in the magazine:

Readers' Tips appear in a variety of sections and earn the sender £25. There is often a dedicated page of tips on a particular subject - in the November issue it's Top Beauty Tips.

Home Life page where readers can share ideas, tips and recommendations.

Readers' Kitchen page for sharing recipes and tips.

Letters Page - also a monthly reader's poem.

The other great section is called Prima Extra. In addition to lots of puzzles and prizes, they offer £25 for photographs, plus the following sections.

Extra Wise Words - £25 for words of wisdom.

Short Stories of around 400 words, which seem to be creative real-life stories. The winner receives £200 and several runners-up receive a year's subscription to Prima.

I'm lucky enough to be a runner-up in the November issue of Prima which is out now - really looking forward to my year's subscription.

Definitely a great value magazine.
Rosemary

Link to New My Weekly Guidelines

The new guidelines for the next few months of submissions to My Weekly are now posted on the Womagwriter blog.

Please note they are only accepting stories from those previously published in My Weekly.

Rosemary

New Writing Scotland

A little reminder that the closing date for submissions to New Writing Scotland must be in by 30 September 2010. This is a prestigious publication which accepts all forms of writing: autobiography and memoir; drama; poetry; political and cultural commentary; short fiction; travel writing. No full-length plays or novels, but they will accept self-contained extracts. Maximum length preferred is 3,500 words. Their 'Invitation to Authors' states that writers must be resident in Scotland, or Scots by birth, upbringing or inclination!

The usual layout is required: double spacing, one side of A4 sheets and secured at top left corner. No name on manuscript - provide a covering letter with all details. Enclose a SAE if you want it returned, if unsuccessful.

Post entries to: New Writing Scotland, ASLS, 7 University Gardens, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QH. No email submissions.

Good luck,
Rosemary