Snakes and Ladders

Over the last few days, I feel like I have been playing a mad game of snakes and ladders as far as my writing is concerned.

I was heading up hill with so many ideas and submissions out there. I posted a story on Monday and was full of hope. But then the first snake sent me slithering back a few steps as my novel 'Red Kite' was rejected. It had been with a publisher for six months and so when I received the huge manuscript back, it was a bit of a blow this time. I felt I was so close as they had asked to see so much of it and gave me wonderful comments, they like my style but alas, it was not to be, apparently it is not commercial enough for them.

Then a wonderful ladder appeared in the form of a phone call from a local farm shop who have been stocking my book 'One Hundred Ways For A Chicken to Train Its Human' they said it had sold out and so needed more copies, wonderful news and I have had to order a new supply to give to them.

True to the game my next snake came only a few hours ago when reading a magazine about up-and-coming Children's books. I discovered that a character I had created months ago was already out there and doing very well with a major publisher, I felt deflated to start with but then thought to myself at least it was a great idea! I just didn't get there first.

It's quite magical in a way, I was born in the year of the snake according to the Chinese calender, and I really am fascinated by the creatures.

The picture above is of Sabby, my little wooden snake who sits on my coffee table every day just watching the mad life of a struggling writer who hopes that one day her snake will become a ladder to success.

365 days

This rusty old horse shoe has been hanging on the gate post next to my drive for more years than I have known. Through every season, and whatever the day brings, it is there for 365 days of the year, hopefully bringing a little bit of luck to someone.

Last night's football game must have been devastating to the England team. They only have the chance every four years to try and win the World Cup.

I tried to imagine how awful it would feel, if I could only send my novel off every four years if I got a rejection! It certainly made me sympathise with our lads out there in South Africa. And this is true for so many other massive competitions or events that some people have to endure if they want to compete and win. If they fail they have to wait a long time before trying again.

As writers, I think we are the luckiest people of all. You may not think that when you get that horrible envelope back in the post rejecting your work. It may be something you have been working on for years, work that you and others thought may get off the slush pile and get published, but some reason it just didn't happen.

But we have 365 days of the year to try again, send something off and even if we get a knock back, we can try again instantly.

Hope my old horse shoe brings a bit of luck to some of you!