Winchester Jones's Notebook

Jul 10, 2025 at 9:10pm

Well, he's dead. Lived a long life. He would've turned 100 this year.

Jul 2, 2025 at 4:07pm

I think I'm missing something. I entered the Quotation Inspiration contest, and know I did that right, but I can't find the page that shows all the other contestants. I don't know if this is on purpose or I am just getting old. In my day we didn't have any of these newfangled...ah, never mind. Am I missing something? {PLEASE BE GENTLE}

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Jul 2, 2025 at 6:45pm

I get concerned when I enter (I worry too much

) that I haven't entered correctly. Go to My Account >>> Survey Responses. It should be there. I double checked mine today. If there's a problem, send an email to Jeff. He'll help you.

When results are posted the top 3 winners are always mentioned; but at times, I've seen a list of all who have entered including those disqualified (usually forget to enter word count, line count, edited after due date [advice... do not touch it except to look at it], not new, missed deadline).

I'm not happy with mine "The Road to Ali"

so what I might do is copy/paste [without opening it] and put it into a blog/book entry to edit.

Jeff

Jul 2, 2025 at 7:05pm

Hi Winchester Jones

, confirming that we did receive an entry for you for June's "Quotation Inspiration: Official Contest"

.

As Kåre เลียม Enga

mentioned, you can always check your survey form submission by going to My Account > Survey Responses to double-check what you've submitted. When the results are posted (for this round, that should be on or around July 21st), the winners will be listed along with all the entries... both qualified entries and disqualified entries (the latter of which will always have a reason noted for what caused the disqualification).

And as Kåre เลียม Enga

also mentioned, you can always email me if you have any questions or concerns!

Jul 3, 2025 at 5:19pm

Haunted Sox

- Thank you for answering.

May 31, 2025 at 3:39pm • Edited

I just had a lightbulb appear over my head. Poof. Out of nowhere. Here it is:

The key to writing well is having patience with yourself.

You're welcome.

• 4 comments

Waltz in the Lonesome October

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May 31, 2025 at 3:47pm

I tried being patient once. It took too long.

Gravedigger Dave

May 31, 2025 at 4:17pm

The key to writing well is to keep writing.

May 31, 2025 at 4:22pm

Gravedigger Dave

- I agree, Dave, but how you keep writing and not giving up is having patience with yourself.

Feb 13, 2025 at 6:49pm

I love my own writing. Sometimes I think this is a curse, and sometimes I think it’s a blessing. It’s a curse when I send a short story to one of my relatives or friends thinking it might induce a hometown tickertape parade of some kind, and I get back, “I enjoyed your short story.” And that will be the last it is spoken of.

• 1 comment

Feb 13, 2025 at 7:02pm

I often write thinking about someone (almost like a talisman) or to honor them. I've had mixed results: perplexed, thrilled, reduced to tears... "Frames [#8 Lorin]"

; "Leather [148]"

; "Yaktrax [#21 Lavinia]"

. Lorin was conflicted. Jay roared. Lavinia cried.

Feb 13, 2025 at 6:03pm • Edited

I recently read an article from a famous author who said, “Never send your stories to your friends or families.” Her reasoning was that most of them won’t care. I think I will try to follow that advice, but then when I think about all the wisdom and insight to life I’m denying them, well... it breaks my heart is what it does.

Oct 13, 2024 at 5:50pm

I just wrote a Cramp story, and no one has commented. I'm hoping somebody will read it and give me some ideas for improvement.

Florida Welcome

(13+)
The hurricane was coming, and all he could do was wait.
#2328471 by Winchester Jones

Thanx,
Winchester Jones

• 2 comments

Oct 13, 2024 at 6:11pm

Ouch. I will say that I think "Cottage Cheese" would make a better title.

That said... the sadness of the moment felt realistic. Sometimes one faces what one has to face. Kudos to Helen.

I'm not a story teller. I wrote a poem to the same prompt. You featured a dog; me, a cat.

Oct 14, 2024 at 2:17pm

- Thank you for reviewing my story, Kare. I greatly appreciate it.

foxtale

Oct 2, 2024 at 4:15pm

Of note- Potomac Review isn't open for new submissions until January - and they don't yet pay for submissions other than by free copy of the mag. so.....
here's a link from my search for "submission guidelines for crime/mystery stories"

https://internationalwriterscollective.com/where-to-submit-mystery-thriller-and-...

First one listed - Ellery Queen Mystery Mag, pays about $75 per the writers' guidelines (found under "The Crime Scene" tab) Good Luck!