It wasn’t a “writing every day” week. I had a work late night, a role playing night, and a few nights of computer problems which we finally solved. I wanted 1000 works this week on the novel and made 1800. I reworked the outline going forward. I’ve been working on a short story critique, and reading for a novel critique. I’m also reading Ray Bradbry’s book on writing.
He favors the writing fast and writing hot, then spending the time you need to fix it. Story needs to be captured in the first draft, the essence of what the character is feeling. I like that approach, and I think it’s what draws me into Story A Day May every year, and Write1Sub1 this year.
I did learn that I need more than one revision before I send a story out. Flash is different. But the 4100 word story I sent out two weeks ago was bugging me. I had a friend critique it, and she pointed out some serious flaws. I think I know how to fix them, but I might be tucking a copy of this story into my novel ideas folder. It opens up a whole world in urban fantasy I never intended anything more than a short story.
Time will tell, as it always does with my writing.
This week’s plans are a repeat of week 3. With any luck, I’ll manage more than 1k on the novel. I’m eager to get through this. I want to see if the big confrontation comes out the way I’m picturing it, or if it’ll take a turn… Happy Writing!
DAWN BONANNO 
Ooh, the Short Story into Novel. Do it the cool way and sell the short story first. It worked for Mr. Card.
That’s the plan. That would be a big indicator if someone actually bought it that the character is one to stick with. 🙂
Wow, sounds like you’ve got a lot of projects going on. I’ll have to get some Story A Day tips from you. I tried it last year and went batty. Good luck with your stories!
Congrats on another good week! In the past, I’ve always stopped mid-sentence to research the little bits and pieces I need, but with the novel I recently finished I just put in place holders and kept going. I think I liked it better just writing until it was done, and saving the research until later. I stayed more enthused about the project. What’s Bradbury’s book called? I’ll have to check it out.
Nicole I should specify that for story a day my results vary from 3 stories to about 10 for the month because I don’t give up my other writing, just tone it down a little (plus you know, full time job, etc 😀 ). I think this year though I am going to make it my solo project for May and see what happens.
I tend to be a bare-bones first drafter, which helps. I get the feel and essence of the story in place, then build up the elements I like most in the revisions.
I know people who actually do 20 to 30 stories that month and I am in awe of them.
Mostly for me, it’s the immersing myself in the world of short stories. It’s a fun place to be. It “feels” like less work than a novel, but in reality, it’s more. 20 pages of story vs 20 pages of novel is way different in revision. You can fly fast and loose with novels. Of course, I haven’t started submitting my novels yet, so maybe my opinion will change…
Eileen – thanks. I’ve been doing that too. (shipname) or (badguy1) for some redshirts, etc. If a name comes to me, great, if not, I’ll think about it later. Ray’s book is “Zen in the Art of Writing”. He’s got an interesting style and verbiage to his nonfiction. It’s entertaining, and he’s got some interesting points. One of which is “hot today, cold tomorrow” for short story writing. Write the story while it’s hot, while it’s fun, then worry about the revisions later because there will be enough of them. I like it, and it’s what I do. I knew I liked Ray for more reasons than his writing. Heehee.
Have a great day everyone!