Dreams Worth Remembering

Why is it that the best ideas come when you're sleeping? It must have something to do with the analytical portion of your brain shutting down so the creative portion is free to take over. No matter what the reason, I'm really glad it happens.

Earlier this week an idea, a launching point for a story, sprung into my head in the middle of the night. I sat up, thought "Hmmm, that could work" and then went back to sleep. Thankfully I remembered it in the morning. So now I'm raring to go again. This story is a bit different: a romance with a touch of magic/paranormal elements, which is something new for me. I don't quite have all the conflicts/motivations worked out but I'm going to start writing the first chapter while the mojo is hot.

Dreamt anything exciting lately?

Shakin' Things Up

As part of my new strategy to shake things up, I've decided to polish up and submit a children's story I've been sitting on for far too long. I wrote it about seven years ago when I went back to work after my first mat leave. It was a pretty rough draft (I've learned lots about writing in general since then), but the bones of the story were there.

So, over the past week I've polished that little gem and it's almost ready to submit. I know that breaking into the children's market is pretty tough, but the story isn't do me any good sitting in my PC. What do I have to lose by subbing?

So, wish me luck. I'm venturing into a whole new world of rejections, LOL. Wonder if children's publishers at least give you a gold star for effort?