Over the next weeks, I'm setting myself a goal to write a 'womag' type story of around 1000 words which would fill about one page in the magazine and I'm looking for your help. As many of you know, I'm still chasing that elusive first acceptance. I'm doing my homework by reading the different magazines and trying to get a 'feel' for what the editors are looking for. What do you think are the elements of a good 'short short' story? What was the first story you had accepted in a woman's magazine? What made that one stand out from others that you had submitted?
I did find a home for two longer stories this week when I submitted them to the Candy Jar Books Short Story competition. The word limit for each story was 3000 words. Candy Jar Books is a publisher based in Cardiff and has been running a book festival all this week. I attended two events - 'How to be a Fibber Extraordinaire' with author, Laura Foakes, and illustrator, Emma Taylor, who were running a children's workshop based on their book, 'The Liars and Fibbers' Academy' and an adult writing workshop with Michaela Weaver about her book, 'Manic Mondays'. It was good to meet both Laura and Michaela and hear about how they published their first books.
Thank you for reading my blog. I'd love to read your ideas about what makes a good 1000 word story so please leave a comment. :-)
You may follow me on Twitter @JanBayLit and on my Jan Baynham Writer page.
I agree that a story should be just as long as it needs to be - and that we have to make them the right length for wherever we intend to sell them. I find it's easier to trim back a longer one than to fill out a shorter one.
ReplyDeleteI can see what you mean, Patsy. Even after trimming and trimming mine are sometimes too long though! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI've had the same thing!
DeleteGreat news on the acceptances Jan. Have you put it on writecritical? If it's any help at all, the style of your stories would suit W.W. I think, or People's Friend, though it's like trying to get into Fort Knox to have a story accepted with them. Keep going Jan, and I will too. Entering competitions, and having things accepted lets us know that we can write stories, just that the competition for womags is fierce.
ReplyDeleteYou are always so encouraging, Sue. Thank you. :-) Nothing to put up on Write-critical though. I've only entered the stories in a competition but if I was fortunate enough to be placed - anywhere!! - I'd be shouting it from the rooftops, ha, ha!
DeleteIt seems as though you are doing everything right Jan, particularly with reading the stories in the womags. I started out with my first short being 3000 words but every one following that was around the 1000 mark and this just happened, I didn't really think about the length, I just wrote. My only acceptances, one in Candis and 2 in Fiction Feast were all in the 'tender' 'emotional' family relationships category. I have written ones I think are similar and been told they are too 'downbeat' (PF).
ReplyDeleteKeep on writing Jan, you WILL get that elusive first sale because you are very talented and determined :)
Aw, thank you, Samantha. You are so encouraging! It's interesting to read that your accepted ones were about families and were tender/emotional. I can see how they would appeal to a wide range of readers. BTW, I'm following the progress of your novel with great interest - fantastic that you've got to the final stages. :-)
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