Oooh, big day...

'The closing date for entries to the Limnisa Short Story competition passed on 1st March. We have received 79 entries and the judges have now completed their first read through. They have agreed on a short list of thirty stories.

You will be pleased to know that your story "MAN-OCALYPSE" is on this shortlist.

Up until now the judging has been far from easy. We have been very ipressed by the contributions. The whole world seems to be here - such variety, such invention, and sent to us from writers living all over the world. Who-ever ends up the 'winner', the most exciting part for us is encountering so many people with such creative talent. We shall be doing our best to feature as many as possible when we've set up our new website.

Thank you again for your support.'

Limnisa short story writing competition, Mariel and Phillip, in Greece there.

That is the first competition i entered, with one of fifteen odd stories I have written. And I got to the last thirty! Victory dances for all. Yes. That includes you. I can see you with my mind.

Anyway.
Progress on the novel continues, kindof. It has been stymied somewhat - I went to London the other day then to stay at a friends - lots of walking balanced out by eating unhealthy stuff, so its all good. On the other hand, I have been chugging away at about 1000 words a day till those two days, and maybe I can make up for lost time tomorrow. Meanwhile, before floating off to review something unreviewed as a good deed Ill talk a little about plot holes.

I see noticing plot holes like a persistently annoying person in your head who correctly and infuriatingly points out that in fact this and that bit dont make much sense (why would she do that? cause she loves him... but why, I thought she hated him?? Its all a facade which she puts on to hide her true feelings... But why? Because said hottie she loves is engaged to her sister? Well WHY does she FANCY him then?? Grrr....) Kindof like that, only harder to answer. I have those alot, because for all my plans, just like in mice and men said plans get shot holes in like swiss cheese. Theres always a certain point where I bump into the tiniest things that annoy me and I get stuck for hours trying to figure out the best way to circumvent this problem.
And writing this novel was supposed to be part of the challenge to forget that. TO correct it later, when the stories done. Seeing as I failed the challenge, I guess I havent managed it yet.
But then its alright. If you do run into these problems, there can come a time a fantasy where you think of a little idea that slots in perfectly, or you can rip something out thats unnecessary and removes plot holes, not to mention streamlining the story if its required.

And if that doesn't work, you have poetic license. Want to make a story about the love between a man and his pet tyrannosaurus?
You can. Because who gives a damn what plot holes are there as long as the story's good.

Truth be told, I dont use my poetic license too often to cover over plot holes with sello tape. But I might just try it after this novels done. See what happens.

Anyway, off to review. Catch ya later.

Crashbang (Spaz)