Funny bones!

I just want to apologise for the lack of blog updates lately peeps, I have not been too well. I have had a few appointments trying to get doctors/chiropodists to do something with my foot which has been a bit of a struggle.
For a few weeks, I have had severe pain and having difficulty walking. Knowing my own body, I knew that there was something wrong with the bone in my foot and was anxious as I've been suffering from cramps and pins and needles in the foot too. When the doctor said that it was a bunion, I was so relieved but was still upset that the doctor hadn't given me anything to help the pain or swelling. He told me to see my chiropodist which thankfully got an emergency appointment, but still, she didn't seem to know much and just said that she'll fax my doctor to arrange an x-ray. She also said that my foot was inflamed.

Still not hearing anything about the x-ray a week or more later, my mum got me in to see a duty doctor quickly, blissfully this doctor was much more helpful and understanding. She said that the foot was infected and inflamed so given me anti-biotics to help the infection and pain for over the weekend with it being Easter weekend.
On tuesday, I have to phone back the doctor to find out about where the missing fax is about the x-ray. It is really discouraging and upsetting when specialists say they'll do something straight away and then not do it.
So sometime later this week, I will let you know how I get on with this foot.

"I think you should submit it" feedback from tutor

Yesterday (saturday 2nd April 2011) I received my feedback from my course tutor. I was quite anxious although I was excited to see what she would say about my second assignment. Here's what she said...

"Hi, Katie. Thank you for sending me your second assignment - I can see that a lot of research and hard work have gone into this.

1. Fine - extensive, in-depth market research invariably pays off.

2. The outline was generally and should serve the dual purpose of helping you plan the structure of the article and giving you something to submit to an editor to intrigue them and prompt them to ask to see the finished piece.

3. Your response to question three was a lively and thought-provoking article packed with wry comments and inspiration moments. You should usually try for dramatic effect in the opening paragraphs, as you really need to grab your readers' attention at this stage, or you've lost them. You need to be more sparing in your use of exclamation marks, as using them so liberally denotes an amateur rather than a professional writer. Do bear in mind that it substantially increases your chances of being published to decide on, tone a specific publication before actually writing a piece. You can then tailor it with regard to subject, approach, length, style ,tone etc. Writing something first then looking for a market for it, is the wrong way round. I think you should submit it after another revision. Good luck and let me know how you go on.

When submitting work to editors, don't forget to put your name and the title (usually abbreviated on all but the first page) at the head of each sheet. I look forward to receiving your next assignment."

It is really constructive and helpful to read the tutors comments. My heart was pacing when I read the submitting the piece after a revision (basically just correcting a few errors) as this is a dream to see my writing in print. For her to say at this stage and remember it is only the second assignment this one, is such a brilliant encouragement and gives me total satisfaction to believe in myself.

I will let you know what happens when I send it to the publication and I hope you will enjoy, learn and find my article inspiring if you buy a copy.