I know I haven't 'zactly been like the bestest most faithful blogger like ever, but I swear I'm getting around to it. Someday. Maybe. *shifty eyes* You know, when I have time. Or something.
ANYWAYSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
I thought in lieu of my stellar intellectually mind blowing posts of satirical and satorical wonder, I would give you this!
Sometimes I'm a dingbat. This story was NOT published. It was put up on Dr. Hurley's Snake-Oil Cure literary mag's along with other contestants. This was NOT the winning entry. Sorry guys. All fault lies with me. But enjoy anyways. =)
Write Now:
What I'm listening to: "Rumor Has It" by ADELE
What I want most: a manicure. and a massage.
Surprise publication this morning! My short story "An Accidental Morning Bathroom Meeting" was posted to DOGZPLOT Flash Fiction Magazine, and can be read here.
As always, I'd love for comments and feedback! Thanks!
Just a quick update to say my micro-fiction piece "They Burned Our Ssekabakas, They Burned Our Kings" was published today in the magazine SHORT, FAST, AND DEADLY! You can read the magazine here.
I'm super excited!
Please read and comment! This is one of my first ventures into fiction, so would love the feedback! Thank you!
Writee Now:
What I'm listening to: the fireplace burning =)
What I want most: mmm, ice cream? or cheesecake?
I'm pretty much the poster girl for anal retentiveness when it comes to writing and tracking submissions. As you can see above, I have a fairly extensive Excel worksheet that should intimidate the hell out of me, but instead soothes me with all the clean, laid-out precision. Color-coding is one of my favorite pastimes, and inventing more categories (see that I have both a date created and a date finished column) is no chore either.
So, if you look closely, you can find evidence for my hard work this weekend. The poems highlighted in green are the ones I submitted to the Prague Summer School scholarship. Then I submitted six poems to a campus newspaper creative writing contest, and five more to an undergraduate journal. Some to the journal don't quite fit the requirements, but the Paternal Voice told me a while back that I should always submit the maximum number, even if they don't fit, because you never knew. And he's right. So a total of 16 poems, out into the void. Crazy, and I probably just depleted half of my poetry reserves, but I'd rather get them published than hoard them, so out they went.
This year feels good. I'm doing stuff, and I'm working multiple avenues, all in pursuit of a career. Nothing directly has to do with school, this is all my own will power. It somewhat amazes me, and secretly fills me with great pride. I can achieve things without someone looking over my shoulder yelling at me, and I never really felt that I could. Even after college, it was more deadlines than preparedness that made me work. But knowing that these submissions were all sent out without prompting really makes my self-confidence grow. Even if I get rejected, I won't feel bad, because I submitted them in the first place. Mlle Diabolique keeps telling me that I'm working at achieving my dreams, and I can finally accept that I am.
I am working like a professional.
Right now: What I'm listening to: "White Flag" by Dido What I want most: coffee ice cream
So I thought I would post my second sample column, just so I don't have to write anymore. The brain is broken after it's unfamiliar stretching in journalist clothes. Enjoy!
Miss Holder's Foreign Language Translating Program
We all know that William and Mary has a peculiar... culture that sometimes go beyond the rest of the world's expectations. In fact, sometimes those traits go so far that we need a translator--or foreign language experience-- to actually understand them.
In my research I found these listed as the top ten New Year's resolutions. Wouldn't it be interesting to look at them in William and Mary speak?
10) Reduce stress
Translated: I need to write my ten page papers earlier than the week- or night- before.
9) Help others
Translated: I need to go on an international volunteer trip over winter, volunteer locally over spring, tutor kids during the week and walk dogs on the weekends.
8) Take a trip
Translated: I want to study abroad next year. And next, next year. And possibly the year after. After I come back from that vacation in Italy.
7) Find a hobby
Translated: D & D no longer counts in this "adult" world. I need to think of something else to say at parties.
6) Find love
Translated: When the four G's --greek, geek, gay, or girlfriend-- applies to the dating scene on campus, maybe I should expand my search area. To the greater East Coast.
5) Give up a habit (drinking, smoking, etc)
Translated: I should invest in real orange juice, instead of the Wawa facsimile. And convince my apartment roommate that incense is NOT an acceptable alternative to showers.
4) Get out of debt
Translated: I really need to pay my parking tickets. All five of them. And my IT bill.
3) Eat healthier
Translated: Maybe I should add a salad to my spaghetti and garlic bread with a side of fries and/or corn.
2) Get organized
Translated: I should maybe be able to find my textbooks in the pile under my bed. Or maybe they're in the closet... maybe...
1) Workout
Translated: I should get up from my desk at least three times a day. For more than just class. Or bathroom breaks.
So what did YOU resolve this year????
Shelly Holder is the newest Confusion Corner columnist. She is not admitting to her New Year's resolutions, m
Today I submitted my final portfolio for my creative writing class!!! I'm so happy to have that off and out of my mind, even though I have two assignments more to finish up and send in by email tomorrow. I'm staggeringly proud of what I've accomplished in five weeks- showing myself what I really can accomplish if I put my mind to it. So here's the final list:
23 poems, of various types A creative non-fiction piece, 4 pages Fiction piece, 16 pages (to be finished tomorrow) One act play, 5 pages another creative non-fiction (to be finished tomorrow, estimated 4 pages)
I would figure out the word count, but I'm too tired to do so today.
I also forced myself to do the 1000 words challenge. I'm so glad that I did, because now I can look back and say "Wow, I'm actually a prolific and productive writer." Of course, it was hard going, those 1000 words- I basically had to suspend all thought and allow myself to just have fun writing -- so that magical bracelet idea that will sound ridiculous in the morning is totally credible, and who cares if the hero is flat and 2-D? I used the perfect words to describe him, so I've got that much. And, I get to post the big shiny shiny badge today!
And really that's all that matters.
Right now: What I'm listening to: Coldplay (I'm going to their concert on Saturday!!!) What I want most: A break from writing. Yes I said it. I also deserve it.
Shelly Holder was born and raised in California's Mojave Desert, a heritage that unfortunately did not leave her tan. She is an only child, although her parents joke about her dog being in actuality a younger brother. Whether this is an insult to Shelly or to the dog will never be known. Shelly currently splits her time between CA and Virginia, where she attends college to get her BA in English/Creative Writing with a possible double major in another field that's also obscure and won't pay much money. Feel free to check out her website at www.shellyholder.com for more information and random tidbits.
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