Thursday 15 July 2010

On the shelf

I'm on the shelf this week. To be exact, in the July 20th Woman's Weekly with a short story called 'Conversations with Jenna'.

Today I've been writing at the museum. I enjoyed it. No-one took any notice of me, or if they did then they probably assumed I was an art student or something. I came home with several pages of scrawled notes, both about the exhibits and the visitors. People watching is endlessly fascinating isn't it.

Another thing I found fascinating was the museum's 'Adopt an Object' scheme to raise funds. Depending how much you want to spend you can adopt a pearl button, an ancient Egyptian funerary mask, a wedding dress from 1891, a portrait of Oliver Cromwell, and several other paintings which would not look out of place on my living room wall. That's my Christmas shopping sorted then!

23 comments:

larainydays said...

I love the museum idea. I think I'll try it in the Phoenix Art Museum, but I would much rather be able to pick one in London. I didn't get to spend near enough time there.

joanne fox said...

Maybe next time Laraine. x

Joanna said...

Fantastic story, Joanne. I've just spent a lovely time reading it. Congratulations!

A museum is a good place to write, watch and ponder. I am experimenting with different rooms at home, but can't decide whether my writing is improving or otherwise!

joanne fox said...

Thank you Joanna. Sometimes a change of scene does my writing good - or at least refreshes my imagination a bit.

Have a great weekend! x

Ellie Garratt said...

Guess what magazine I'll be buying tomorrow :)

I've never thought of writing in a museum, though spookily my last short story acceptance had a scene in Exeter Museum. The guard let the main character in just before closing after she convinced him she was an art student who had left her sketchpad behind!

joanne fox said...

That sounds interesting Ellie. Let us know when it is published. x

jenny wilson said...

Congratulations look forward to readng itx

Talli Roland said...

Congrats! Must pick up a copy! :)

Old Kitty said...

Oh brilliant!! I can't wait for my copy! Yay!
And what a great idea for pressies! A couple of years ago I adopted goats for everyone - it was a great success!

:-)
Take care
x

HelenMWalters said...

I read your story in WW last night and loved it. Well done.

penandpaints said...

Brilliant! I'll get WW tomorrow.
I never thought of writing in a museum, I bet it was very inspiring, what a good idea!

joanne fox said...

Thank you all (and I'm glad your goats went down well Kitty!)

Unknown said...

I never thought of writing in a museum either, good idea! Although knowing me, I'd probably have crowds of people come over and ask me what I'm doing...
www.writeolive.com

Ellie Garratt said...

I loved your story, Joanne :)

Lexia257 said...

Congrats on the published story - haven't got that mag for ages but you have pushed me to get it again and might even send something in ! Writing in a museum ... hmm - now that sounds like a story in itself. "All was quiet around the glass cases of ancient Greek architecture...." :)

joanne fox said...

Think you may have a murder/mystery starting there Lexia!

Leigh Russell said...

Congratulations on the published stories. I often find my inspiration for writing when I'm out and about among people. I can watch people endlessly - but then, I do write psychological thrillers.

Denise Covey said...

Congrats on the story in WW. Must read it when it gets here. Love the museum watching notes. Make for a great story..:)

Unknown said...

People watching is so much fun. The novel I just completed is thanks to all those visits to the Rennassiance Festival every year here in Houston. Great inspiration from fairies, wizards and more, I love to explore different worlds and meeting new people!

joanne fox said...

Thank you all. Jen, that festival sounds great. I'm not surprised you found it so inspiring. x

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

CONGRATUATIONS. Will dig the magazine out of my tbr pile.

XX

Margo Berendsen said...

What a great idea! Going to an out of the way place like a museum to write. So, if you adopt an object, does that mean you actually get to take it home with you for a while??? That's crazy.

joanne fox said...

I do think you should get to take your object home for a while Margo, but I guess the insurance implications would be complex! I gather that you get an honorary mention in the museum's catalogue or something. Some of the objects are up to £2,000 to adopt - but I think businesses tend to adopt those as it's good publicity to get their name linked with a good cause.