Hello,

Finally, after weeks of editing, I read over my 1,000-word story competition entry and did not make any adjustments. I found myself happy and proud of the story I had created and did not make any one-word changes which over the last few weeks, though needed, were annoying me. Really annoying me. I even added in two lines of dialogue as the deadline date got closer. It was all worth it. The story is complete and I have entered the competition.

**My first competition entry of the year!**

Very slow going for me as I was hoping to have entered at least a few others by now. With other life things getting in the way this has not been the case. I am aiming to use this as a starting point to entering a few more at least before the end of the year. Fingers crossed and all that.

Unless that nasty editing beast decides to come calling again. Then I may never enter a few more competitions again, let alone this year.

The beast is cunning you see. It lies in wait. When I finished my latest story, my next step is to write another 1,000-word story but from the opposite side, of the one I’ve just finished. I want to get the first draft done within the next few days. But then, once finished I will have a nasty (yet very satisfying) urge to correct and amend parts of it. I would have to start my editing process soon as it would be on my mind. And there you have it. The editing beast is back.

All the while he has been leaning back in the corner of my room, watching me write, and thinking to himself:

‘you can’t beat me, mate. I’m undefeatable. Made of diamond. Can’t shatter me, pal’.

I am foolish to try and fight him off. Maybe, I should embrace the beast. Make him my friend. He makes me write his dialogue in a different font for crying out loud. His powers must be immense. In truth, I like editing. The big edits (characters, story, description etc.) more than the small ones. It’s the small ones I can’t stand. The words here and there. Adding and subtracting. All the smeggin’ time! Until I look in the mirror and see a man with hair all over the place and a greasy shine to his skin who has spent an hour agonising over whether or not he should use ‘and’ within a certain sentence and if he should use a different phrase than ‘punch to the face’.

Anyway, the first competition entry is in which is the main thing and I’m looking forward to much more. Best get back to it.

Well, I hope your writing is going well and have a nice day!