I am pleased to have an article on 'How to Be a Good Blog Host' in Writing Magazine and two stories in this month's Fiction Feast.
As part of my inspiration behind the story series, I thought I'd tell you how my story 'Secrets in the Snow' came about.
My friends were talking about the skiing holiday they had just booked. I have been skiing three times, each ten years apart and every time I've been, I've thought the same thing - that this year will be the one where I will fall in love with the sport. Invariable though, when the day arrives when I have to slide down something steeper than a nursery slope, my enthusiasm wanes and the fear creeps in. I hate heights and a skiing holiday is full of them - high slopes, high drops, high ski lifts. Without fail, by day three day I am wishing that I had booked a holiday in the sun instead!
It made me think of the first time I ever skied. It was with the school and I was sharing a chalet with a group of girls I didn't know very well. They were all carefree and brave teenagers while I was cautious and careful (on and off the slopes). While my room mates climbed out of the windows at night to meet up with Italian boys, I stayed behind and wrote my diary. As the memory came back, I realised it had the makings of a good story.
'Secrets in the Snow' is about two girls who go on a skiing holiday with a group of student friends. One is cautious and the other is rather reckless. Despite Emma's warnings, Sophie will do anything to impress one of the boys in the group, Tim, and inevitably this leads to disaster.
It was as I read the story again in the magazine, that I remembered why I prefer sand to snow!
No experience is ever a waste to a writer, Wendy.
ReplyDeleteVery true, Julia.
DeleteI keep seeing your name in magazines! Well done. Just read Time for Baking where you described an atmosphere similar to that in an aromatherapy class I covered for a colleague at Holloway!
ReplyDeleteOh, that must have been fascinating, Lindsay... sorry I got to that story before you!
DeleteI've been skiing once and was terrified! I ended up ice-skating and enjoying the gluhwein!
ReplyDeleteWell done on the sales.
I was much the same, Sam. Last time I went... ooh ten years ago now (and no that doesn't mean I'm due to go again) I left the class and just did my own thing on the lower slopes.
DeleteI had a go on a dry ski slope once. I wasn't any good and I didn't like it. I'm sure the same would apply to the real thing.
ReplyDeleteNo, Patsy. Believe me, it would be worse!
DeleteWendy, I know exactly what you mean. I've tried ski-ing 3 times too and it's not for me!! I think if you learn as an adult, rather than a child (my partner learned in Scotland when he was four!), then it's much more scary and I think you either absolutely LOVE it, the first time you go, or you'll never take to it. I want to love it but I can't and don't, so that's it: never again!
ReplyDeleteMaybe writers aren't natural skiers - none of us seem to like it, Helen.
DeleteWell done again, Wendy, and thanks for quoting me in the article! I'll enjoy your story - only skiing I did was as a teen on dry slope and a little at Glenshee. Maybe too much like hard work - I preferred skating after that!
ReplyDeleteYou and the rest of us, Rosemary.
DeleteI can definitely join the 'dislike skiing' club too!
ReplyDeleteWell done on those successes :-)
Yes you may join, us, Alice... and thank you.
DeleteHi Wendy I agree give me sand any time, skiing is my idea of holiday hell. I love reading about the inspiration behind your stories. Linda
ReplyDeleteMaybe I need to make a new tee-shirt to go with my 'I've been rejected' one... it can be the 'I hate skiing ' one.
DeleteWent to school in Canada to do A levels and skiing was on offer all winter when very little else to do in deep snow. Nearly gave it up on first few lessons as terrified. Teacher suggested I try next slope up on my own - either I would walk down or ski. It was unconventional but by the end of the winter I was addicted. Mix of perseverance and months of snow.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on all the writing success. May it continue.
I remember skiing on ice and being petrified and the instructor, who was about 10, tugged at my leg to try to make me ski down... he nearly lost his life!
DeleteI've only been skiing twice on snow accompanying pupils on school trips. I loved it - wasn't very good though! - but the responsibility of keeping the children safe when in 'loco parentis' got to me and I didn't go again. I couldn't persuade hubby to join me on a winter holiday either.
ReplyDeleteI used to think the same on all school outings, Jan.
DeleteNo, I'd end up on my backside before the off Wendy. I'm loving the winter Olympics though, and isn't Jenny Jones fab? They fly. Look forward to catching up with your stories. I read the Writing mag one. great news.
ReplyDeleteYes, I happened to catch Jenny Jones by chance. I've also loved the skating.
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