Reading, Writing, 'Rithmetic

They say writers should keep reading; I've just started Glasshopper by Isabel Ashdown; it's her debut novel and has won a top award. I follow Isabel and number of successful writers on Twitter. Next on the shelf is a book of short stories, Diamonds and Pearls, with profits going to a cancer charity; some well-known contributors, so I'm looking forward to reading what's considered top short story writing these days, as well as pure entertainment.

Writing-wise, I await the evaluation/critique of my novel for children. Dismayed to find that the name 'Beans' for a dog has already been used in a children's book, so have to alter it. Maybe Boris, not sure.
Also entering two writing competitions, one for a story, one for a humorous poem, and have submitted several comic verses for greetings cards, all with a common theme. I've pitched to an Australian family magazine for a short story and a read-aloud fast-faced animal poem. Can't say I don't try.

In the past I've occasionally written humour, and had some modest success. Wondering now whether I might pursue this as a strand in my writing; there are often references to it in competition advice.

There are now at least three Twitter accounts held by Larry, the 10 Downing Street cat. In my opinion, @DowningStCat is the best laugh, but they're all good fun. So are the accounts of the Downing Street Rat, seen in the TV news clip scuttling across the doorstep. Best is @No10Rat but he seems to have little time for tweeting for his followers. Bad rat. Dirty rat. In your bed.

'Rithmetic? Lots of Sudoku Killer puzzles, and totting up the miserable return from my suite101 articles!