7th August, 2025
I’ve recently had the privilege of being one of the judges for a short story competition. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and the range of themes and styles of delivery were interesting. Some stories pulled me in at the first sentence, others were intriguing and I had to read on. I had to chose and rate my top six which was difficult and I read each story at least three times. When I’ve received rejections for my own writing, a phrase that often comes up is ‘judging is subjective’. Now I’ve been on this side of things I definitely agree. Everyone has their favourite food, drink, holiday… and it’s the same with writing. A story that resonates with one judge, may not so much with another. To enter a competition is a brave thing – you put yourself out there, knowing that you stand a chance of rejection. And this is why judging was a privilege and I treated each work with empathy and care – as I hope that my work is treated when I send it out there.
My own writing’s been a little slow for the last couple of months but I do have the excuse that I’ve moved house. I’ve given up soft, gentle Suffolk for wild and rugged North Devon. It’s not quite Shetland, which will always be such a special place for me, but I’m definitely in my ‘Shetland vibe’. I’m walking more and I’m only a short distance from the sea. I can see the river from my home and I love watching the herring gulls, small egret and heron. A female blackbird is a regular in my tiny garden (I’m looking forward to re-doing the garden in the spring and will draw up a plan over the winter), and I’ve seen tiny, baby crabs in the pools of water left when the tide goes out. But best of all are the walks by the sea, my hair whipped by the wind, my feet smoothed by the sand.
And writing’s coming back to me. With all this soul and heart soothing, how could it not? But discipline’s another thing… when the outside calls, how can I resist?
Jane Lomas - writer 
Hello Jane. Glad to see you’re happy and moving on . Still writing and even a judge now. Good luck with all. James VW Campers 😳👍
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Thank you. I hope all’s well with you. x
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Hi Jane,
It’s so interesting being on the other side of the submission/judging process, isn’t it?
I’ve heard lots of people say that they write more in the winter when they’re naturally indoors more. Maybe it’ll be the same for you? I hope you’ve settled in nicely & got all my (snail) mail.
Lots of love, Laura xxx
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Thanks very much, Laura – I’ve finally snail mailed back so I hope you get it soon. Thank you so much for yours. I so hope you’re right about the winter! x
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Hi Jane,
I got your letter on Friday – YAY! I’ll write back asap x
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Hi Jane
Great to read your latest blog. I have a friend – Sally Huband who wrote “Sea Bean” – who has helped judge writing competitions. She has told me how challenging it is, and how much time and care she takes. I am sure it is very rewarding, and a privilege to get to read the work.
I am so glad you got your house sold and made a move you’re happy with. I took my house off the market before I went on a long trip to the USA last winter. Then in January I thought I had buyers but one of the couple got made redundant which affects getting a mortgage. He’s a friend of my older son, so I can keep tabs on them – he got another job but apparently he and his partner plan to go travelling instead of buying a house. I will start looking for a new place in the new year and hope to sell my house in the spring. A few people have approached me since so I am keeping a note and, if they have not moved already, I will approach them before I go to an agent. My brother and his wife have already bought a house and moved in March. Their house is on the market now and they’ve had several offers so he was wondering how they will decide which offer to accept, realising their decision will cause disappointment. I remember thinking the same when my house had 2 offers – they both withdrew before the closing time.
After 3 summers of waiting for medical tests, results, then on to a list for an operation, I have finally had pre-op assessment so hope to travel to Abderdeen before mid October for removal of a lump on my salivary gland. I’m planning to fill the freezer with soup as I think the first week or so will be soft foods only. On top of that I have recently had to have an abdominal CT scan and colonoscopy – relieved they found nothing nasty but still have to hear if any potential nastiness is found in removed polyps. I’ve had some discomfort from inflamed diverticula which the tests revealed. The joys of getting older!
Keep writing! I just can’t contemplate a life without reading.
Best wishes Hazel
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