FUN WITH SHORTS

[deborahjross]

For some time now, I thought it would be fun to take a break and write some short fiction. It's been a long while since I've had one on the market. I've been writing a story for the next SWORD & SORCERESS. Started with a half-page I noodled around with a couple of summers ago, more atmosphere than anything, and devoid of plot. I thought about it a bit, then had a dream filled with vivid images. Sat down the next morning with notepad and pen and brainstormed a plot. Drafted it fairly quickly and am now shaping it into a story. It needs another go-through before I set it aside for a couple of weeks. Fortunately, the reading period for the anthology doesn't begin until late March. I think it's good, or will be once it says what I want it to say.

But cripes, I'd forgotten how hard short fiction is. Excruciating, is more like it, after the huge innerspace of novels! Brain is stretching and contracting and flexing old muscles. I want to dive back into the comfort of a trilogy! I mutter that it's good for me, and it is. My short fiction is much better for having written novels, and I am convinced the reverse will be true, especially writing this just after final revisions/polishing, when my editorial carving knife is well whetted.

Comments

[equesgal.livejournal.com]

I'm working on a story from way way back when. In it's first incarnation it was even critiqued by Spinners. LOL Talk about a flash from the past!

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Cool! Which story is it? You had so many wonderful ideas.

[equesgal.livejournal.com]

It was the VERY FIRST one I headed out at our first meeting. LOL I remember freaking out because we critiqued Robert's story first and his was so cool. Anyway, my story was the one which everyone said seemed to be missing the beginning. LOL You'll be glad to know it has been heavily revised and now has a definite beginning, middle and end. ;-) Unfortunately the original title has been lost down over the years. I started revising this story a year or so ago and never got around to sending it out. Now, with new revisions, I feel really happy with how it turned out.

[deborahjross.livejournal.com]

Beginnings, middles, and ends are good things for stories to have. I'm happy to hear you've stuck with some of those old stories. Revision skills are, for me and others, the meat of writing. Good luck with it!!