"Paperback Writer" posted by ErosMyth - deviantART.com
So I decided that this year I would write 50 new short stories, which is pretty crazy considering I’ve written just about 30 in my entire life, not to mention I’m currently finishing up a complicated novel.
Why am I doing this?
Because Ray Bradbury encourages me to write a story a week; because practice makes perfect; because I decided to start following good advice instead of just agreeing with it; and — dammit! — this is what I want to do with my life. I want to become the best I can at it. I feel like I’ve wasted a lot of time in the past, time I could have spent developing my craft.
The reason I’m not a published professional writer right now is because I haven’t put in enough practice.
I haven’t written enough stories.
So I have instituted Short Story Sundays. No matter what’s going on with other projects, Sundays are for writing new short stories. Not only is it a great way to commit to writing more short stories, but it gives my novel-saturated brain a bit of a break and a chance to recharge.
How’s it been going?
So far, so good. The first Sunday I wrote a little science fiction story in three hours, right before my writer’s group meeting. Rah! The second Sunday, I leaped headlong into a weird tale that took me until Monday to finish, but earned me a thumbs-up from Fat Cat. Double rah!
Today is Wednesday, and I’m still working on this past Sunday’s story. But it’s okay. It just goes to show that each story is different. Some of them unspool like fishing line hooked to a live one. Others are like ancient artifacts you’re trying to unearth with a shaving brush missing half its whiskers. This one is the latter one.
But I’m not discouraged. Nope. In fact, I’m excited. I’m starting to take more risks in my writing. I’m trying different things. I don’t know if it’ll end up as pretty as I see it in my head, but I’m having fun writing. And isn’t that what it’s really about?
Yay Angie! 🙂 Can’t wait to read them!
Aww! Thank you, Marian! You’re one of the sweetest people I know. 🙂
This…
…is a very good idea. I should take up this challenge. Though…I probably shouldn’t, seeing as I have my novel (which I’m supposed to be working on right now) and about six other ones begging to be written.
Someone shoot me right now.
But go you! I hope to be able to read them someday! 😀
I know what you mean. It’s hard to stay on task to the completion of a project, especially with all those plot bunnies clamoring for your attention. The idea was to write short stories on Sundays, and then spend the rest of the week finishing up the novel I’m working on. But stories take as long as they take. And that’s okay, so long as you keep working on them. I hope I get to read your novel someday soon. How’s it going?