The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Switch It Up

photo by saralonde


        No, this is not me having a bad hair day. Actually, if this was me, it would be a good hair day. My hair is notoriously uncooperative.

        However, I have been working on a "bad hair day" story for Mozark Press. The deadline is July 15.

         When I got the information about the guidelines, I failed to read it carefully, because I was quite excited. I had the perfect story--I had a wild experience that involved a sink--so I started writing it.

        Then Alice Muschany reminded several of her blogging groupies that Mozark wants fictional stories. Ooooh.

        However, I proceeded full-speed ahead anyway, figuring the story could be told in first person.  But it just didn't feel right.

        Last night, I switched it up. No longer told in first person, this story is about Maggie (which happens to be my go-to name, since it was the name I was given at birth) and the story just came together. Or at least I think it's a new cure for insomnia halfway decent. 

       So, check out the Mozark's call for submissions. You'd be in good company if you get your story accepted. Cathy C. Hall has been published by them, along with Donna Volkenannt.

        And if you're having trouble with a story, switch the perspective. If it's longer story or a novel, you could even alternate the perspective. (Jodi Picoult uses this technique a lot.) That might be all you need to get the story flowing...



11 comments:

  1. Thanks for the reminder about the deadline, and also about switching the perspective to change a story. I've done that to make a story fit certain guidelines, and have ended with something that I liked better!

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  2. Thanks for the info Sioux! I'm not psychic, but I bet your story makes it!

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  3. Mary--You're welcome. I agree with you. It often evolves into something better.

    Lynn--I AM psychic. I KNOW my butt is going to be bigger after eating Linda's treats and Tammy's tomatoes.

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  4. Those hunky guys will do it! Thanks for the reminder that I have to rewrite the whole thing. Your story is a hoot and should be a winner.

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  5. Yes, Jodi Picoult does that in "Sing You Home" and I find it confusing. (but i still adore the book). I always hate it when I find that a novel shifts POV.

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  6. Linda--No one can make the everyday mess of life as funny as you can. Thanks for the vote of confidence, but it sounds like lots of talented writers will be submitting...

    Fireblossom--I usually hate it unless it's well done, and then I grudgingly wade through it. It IS a wonderful exercise on voice...

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  7. Your story certainly made use of a wonderful option. No way will it not get in the book.

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  8. Thanks, Tammy. I am going to keep my fingers crossed.

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  9. Bet your story is more than half-way decent and I like your go-to name as well as Sioux.

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  10. Maybe in the future, there'll be a call for "Maggies" having a bad Croc day.

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  11. Donna--My birth name was actually "Margaret" but I could see myself as a Maggie, not a Margaret. And although the story got critiqued on Wednesday, I have to do a bit more research and revising before I send it off. And I told Cathy C. Hall and I'm telling you: the two of you have had stories in Mozark's books. I'm going to try and give you a bit of competition. ;)

    Val--My best friends would say that ANY day with Crocs is a bad day...

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