Friday 1 August 2014

I've Made it to 80!


I've just realised it's the two year anniversary of my first story sale and also my blog - Happy Birthday Blog!

It's been a busy month and an exciting one. As you can see from my photo, I have made it to 80 sales (the last one sold today, just in time for my blog post). With six sales in July, that has made it one of the best months since I started writing.

Also last month, the People's Friend Annual 2015 plopped through my letter box. I've always wanted to have a story chosen for it and I'm pleased to say 'The Buttercup Ring' is one of my favourites. I sold it a long time ago and wondered what had happened to it - and now I know!
 
Another thing that happened is that I have been asked to be the judge for the Chiltern Writers short story competition. I feel very proud that the organisers should feel I am worthy of the job - I look forward to reading the entries in November.

I have also had some lovely guests on my blog, Karen Aldous, Natalie Kleinman and Samantha Tonge. Thank you lovely ladies and another thank you to all my lovely readers for making them all feel so welcome! I have some exciting guests lined up in the next few weeks but I won't spoil the surprise by telling you who.

A new thing for last month was taking the plunge and joining the rather scary world of Twitter. I'd like to say I know what I'm doing but it will probably seem obvious that I don't - so if you follow me (@WendyClarke99) be patient. If I don't do things quite as I should it's because I'm a novice. The friendliness and helpfulness of other writers never ceases to amaze me.

Finally, guess what? I started the novel... well, it had to happen sometime!

23 comments:

  1. Congratulations - that's a lovely round figure :-)
    It's so exciting that you've been asked to judge a competition too and how lovely one of your favourite stories is in the annual :-) x

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  2. One day, in a million years, I'll catch up with you, Teresa!

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  3. Congratulations, Wendy. This is all brilliant news and hugely well deserved. Lovely to see you on Twitter too. x

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  4. Thanks Joanne - I definitely prefer blogging though.

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  5. Wow. 80 I haven't even done one yet, although I have had 3 letters published in magazines and papers and a tip published in another magazine.

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  6. Congratulations Wendy. I have a long way to go before I reach your dizzy heights and I know how hard it is to get published (well maybe not if your write the sort of stuff the editors snap your hand off for!!!) so congratulations on a great achievement.
    I am thrilled, though, to have had a story of mine chosen for TPF Annual 2016 - Yay!! It's such a beautiful publication.
    Oh I so agree. The support and friendliness of all my fellow writers has never ceased to amaze and inspire me - I'm sure I would have given up long ago were it not for them :o) xx

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    1. I didn't know I was in the annual until it came out - they never told me. It's great news that your in the 2016 one, Sue.

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  7. Congratulations Wendy, what a brilliant achievement. Good luck with your novel, too!

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    1. Thank you, Georgina - and maybe one day, I might even finish it!

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  8. Congratulations, Wendy. That's a fantastic achievement. Best of luck with the novel.

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    1. Thanks, Keith - it's going rather slowly at the moment.

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  9. That's a wonderful achievement, Wendy - many congratulations and I'm not surprised you've been asked to judge a competition! You're going from strength to strength and I'm sure that novel will be finished soon enough!

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  10. Well done, Wendy - that's some going! Re. your novel, obviously I don't want you to tell me what it's about (sshhh, don't tell anyone!!) but, just out of interest, do you have the plot all worked out or are you just starting from point A and seeing where you end up..?!

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    1. Sort of, Helen. It is based on one of me short stories so I know where it will go... ish. As with all my shorts, I have started with that vague idea and will see where it goes ( two chapters in it's changed tack already)

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    2. I meant to put 'my' not 'me' - just put glasses on.

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  11. Congratulations, Wendy. That's a wonderful achievement! Can you let us into your secret? ;-)

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  12. What a milestone. Here's to the next 80!

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