Adventuring Online

I wonder if I fail as a blogger because I don't post regularly? Hmm well I have never promised anything except sharing my adventures. Aaaages ago I did a lot of looking around online to find out what opportunities there were.

It all started out with me visiting the local library and discovering a postcard advertising the QLD Young Writers Award. I resolved to enter the competition dreaming I'd win the $2000 prize money, or even the $500 runner ups. Needless to say I didn't place but I wrote my first "finished" short story. I got a letter saying I entered it and how many other people had entered. I was thrilled!! And disappointed. Left wondering; what was wrong with my story?

Since then I have chopped, changed and polished that story so much that I really can't improve it any more until I acquire more skills!! I have also completed another short story (motivation to finish it was a university competition which I didn't place in either), half written another and have bundles of ideas for more. Through entering writing competitions I learnt that there is always going to be a better writer than you out there! Every year I read the stories that win the YWA and I agree that they are better than my stories. I just have to keep writing and eventually (with hard work) I will produce a winning short story!!

Back to the topic of adventuring online. I found that each state of Australia has a Writers Centre! They do classes and competitions and all kinds of writerly stuff. The place that I should join is the Queensland Writers Centre. Which I haven't become a member of. Yet. Do a search online and see what Writers Centre is near you if you aren't a member of one.
Also there is the Australian Writers Marketplace Online!! Its for all of Australia. Go to their website here. Its got EVERYTHING!

That is all I have for the moment. One of my goals this year is to write regularly and churn out a few short stories. Wish me luck!

Dancey

Author For Sale!

I reckon buying a book is like buying a part of that Author. They have created a book with their brain, with bits and pieces from the outside world, and other people's bits too. Its like:

'Here, I will put part of myself onto these pages. I have labored long and hard (and hopefully enjoyed myself) over something that you might like to read.'

I wish I could afford to buy all my favourite books. The books that you can just read over and over again without getting bored. Do you have a few of those? I hope you do :). I am quite embarrassed to admit that most of my favourite books are Young Adult novels. Most of them fiction-fantasy. *blush*. Four authors whose books I have delved back into recently are Holly Black, Tamora Pierce, and, surprisingly, I found a wonderful childrens novel written by Neil Gaiman! I also enjoy reading Garth Nix's novels. Because I am Australian I feel as if I must mention that Garth Nix was born in Melbourne. Angela Meyer (I follow her blog) is currently Melbourne based. I wonder, am I missing out on something being all the way up here in Brizvegas?