I got it wrong

My car has had a funny rattle for a while now (you can tell I’m mechanically minded can’t you?) so I took it to the garage. I told the mechanics that it was the exhaust and fully expected to have to pay out a fortune for it to be replaced. I drove it into the bay, switched the engine off and handed them the keys. ‘How long?’ I asked, thinking I could go shopping.

‘Just a minute Sue that’s not the exhaust, that rattle is coming from the engine.’ Horrified, I stood there whilst they eliminated various problems and finally decided that it was probably the catalytic converter but it would need further investigation. Hundreds of pound signs flashed before my eyes as my car sat there smugly, rattling away to its heart’s or rather its engine’s content. Fortunately my son is a mechanic so it shouldn’t cost me that much to fix it but it’s something I could do without.

I was horrified because I was so sure what was wrong with my car that I’d closed my mind to the possibility that it could be anything else and that I was wrong.

How many times have we done that when we’ve submitted stories or articles to an editor, so sure that they are sitting there waiting for our masterpiece to fall into their in tray that we close our minds to the fact that they could ever be rejected and when they are we’re devastated.

If I’d known more about my car I might have got the diagnosis right. The same goes for any publication that you submit your work to. Get to know your market, read several copies of the magazine, study the articles, stories, adverts, letters etc. Study the way the language is written, study the content that the magazine publishes and get to know the magazine inside out. Then write for it. Don’t ever send off work to a magazine that you haven’t thoroughly researched, that’s a sure way to have your work rejected and like me, you could very well be horrified.

As for my tale of woe. I won’t be sending it off to Top Gear Magazine they’ll most certainly reject it with a comment – WOMEN DRIVERS!

Write about what you know

As writers we are always being told to write about what we know. Well that's exactly what Wrekin Writer Fiona Stevenson has been doing. Fiona who has 'an interesting life' has drawn from her experiences and posted several articles on the website Article Alley. Check out Fiona's author's page and read her articles. You never know there maybe something there for you.

Although this site doesn't pay it is read and after all that's what all writers want - their work to be read. Well done Fee.

Chairman's Challenge

Every month the chairman sets a challenge. The idea being that the group members write a short piece in about one hundred words (ten percent margin allowed) on a given topic. These are then collected and judged and the winner receives a fiver. Okay so you're not going to get rich but it's a useful exercise and a lot of fun.

December's Challenge was 'Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe' It was judged by Di Perry.

The winners were

1st - Julie Phillips with her Wrekin Writers' Christmas Carol

The Retreat(To the tune of 'Deck the Halls.)

Wrekin Writers on their jolly. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Guinness cake was made by Mollie. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Drinking wine they need no persuasion. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Raise their glasses to any occasion. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Singing carols, feeling festive. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Some of the words were quite suggestive. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

On You Tube you'll find the evidence. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

At recalling words they are dense. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Rocking cradle late at night. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Giving Angeline a fright. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Brian couldn't find his hole. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Borrowed Julie's to achieve his goal. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Wrekin Writers on retreat, (Fa la la la la la la la la)

had me on the edge of my seat. (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Story telling by the fire, (Fa la la la la la la la la)

Michael murdered in the shower (Fa la la la la la la la la)

2nd - Angeline Wheeler

Holly, Mistletoe and Ivy.

After so long apart how will I be received? I remember well the freezing Christmas Eve three years ago when I dropped my bombshell into their middle class laps. Everything should have been perfect. It was the start of the twentieth century and attitudes were becoming more liberalised. How naive I was then.

Now I approach with trepidation. The door opens, the warmth and Ivy the dog almost bowl me over. My parents grab me and my beautiful three year old child, pulling us under the mistletoe for a resounding, forgiving kiss whilst tears streamed. I gather my gift for them, fresh green holly and blood red berries which is received like gold.

Joint 3rd - Mike White and Mary Braddock

Thanks, thoughts and a Happy New Year

Ten years ago when I handed the chairmanship of Wrekin Writers over to Simon Whaley little did I think I would be back in the 'hot seat.' However, times, situations and circumstances change and thanks to the support of the group I find myself back as its chair. I came to the decision to stand after many months of long, hard thinking and discussions with both friends and family. I realise that the responsibility of running Wrekin Writers is not one to be taken lightly and I intend to do my very best to justify the faith that the group have placed in me.

Both myself and the group would like to sincerely thank Mike White for all the hard work he has put into running Wrekin Writers for the past five years. Under his leadership the group has both grown and developed into what it is today. Thanks Mike, you did a fantastic job.

Now, following our AGM on Saturday 17th January Wrekin Writers not only has a new chair and vice chair it also has some new faces on the committee - to the new committee members welcome, I look forward to working with you.

Already 2009 looks exciting. In February Simon Whaley is running a workshop for us, March we are at Attingham Park, April sees the launch of our annual Short Story Competition, May we have the Book Fair at Attingham Park and plans are underway for our annual workshop in October as part of the Wellington Literary Festival.

So, no resting on our laurels, we have work to do and a lot to look forward to. So from me, I wish you all a very happy and successful New Year and see you in February.

Sue