I’ve just broken the record (well my own personal best) for fastest acceptance of a story. YES! Last week my friend Fave told me that Asia Literary Review seemed to publish stories similar to mine. So on Thursday I sent off “Broken” – a short piece about a Dalit boy. Finally got to my emails again yesterday afternoon and there were three from ALR accepting Broken for publication and wanting it as the opener for their December issue. YAY! Talked with Tim Cribb, one of their editors last night, all the way from Hong Kong. They are an excellent quality, international journal and I am pleased as punch (whatever that actually means).
THIS WRITING LIFE
I first started writing in earnest in 2002. That first novel I wrote as my small son had his afternoon nap will never see the light of day, but it was an excellent training ground. Since then I’ve written a collection of short stories that was transformed into a young adult novella, a novel set in Cambodia and now a self-help title. A mixed bag. Years of redrafting.
A lot of it has been fun, exciting, interesting, cathartic, healing. But it’s also been infuriating, annoying, challenging and bloody hard work.
Looking back I can see how I have grown in my craft. I now describe myself as a writer without even an inward squirm. I understand the fear of a blank page as well as the thrill. I have developed a thick skin strong enough to withstand rejection and the toughest edit. I’ve met other wonderful writers and enjoy their support and advice. I’ve felt the highs of grand self-delusion and the pits of feeling “everything I write is crap.”
I’ve earned my writing stripes.
And I am more determined than ever to never, ever, ever, stop.
Edwina Shaw 