Category Archives: Writing

Priorities are a funny thing; usually something becomes more important when you’re avoiding something else. So, priorities balance according to what we don’t want to do. So instead of cleaning the bathrooms, I picked up my novel Forgotten Star, the one I scheduled myself to begin revising in January. Well, I had short story deadlins through March 31st and April 15th, I couldn’t concentrate on a novel revision, so I let it sit. In April I picked up my novel in progress, Shadow of Blood, read that, and got back into writing it in May. A scene. Short stories again.

It’s always short stories. So what is that telling me? That I really DID learn how to write a short story. I’m working on # 43 at the moment. That’s a good count. I want to write them and I’m dying to revise them. I even came up with a schedule based on what’s the easier to get into submission readiness.

I sat up looked around and realized I’m avoiding my novels. Why am I avoiding them? I don’t know. Yes, writing is hard, but I love it. It’s what I think about all day long. I dream about it. I wake up in the middle of the night to jot down inspiration. So what is it about avoiding my novels?

I don’t know. I wish I did.

But getting back on my schedule should help. I divided my time by task. Early morning writing session is for novel first drafts. Four lunches a week are for short story writing/revising and critiques; the other three are for working out. Four after work writing sessions are to continue short story writing/revising and critiques. Evening writing session is supposed to  be for novel revision. I’m lucky I get to break it out so many different ways instead of getting one big block.

I think my issue might be committment. The last time I was fully committed to a novel project was in 2005/06. Ever since then, it’s been little children and short stories. My girl is turning 4 in a few weeks. My boy is a year and a half. I have my brain back though I admit there are pregnangy induced holes wether it’s from trauma or hormones I can’t tell you… Am I afraid I’ve changed too much? Can’t get back there? Surely not. I’m still getting ideas. I’m still thinking about my characters. I’m evening working on an article on planning interpersonal relationships and using that tool as a conflict generator. Maybe I’ve forgotten how much I love novel writing…

The answers aren’t forthcoming tonight, but I have a feeling once I work out the schedule (2nd alarm clock in the bathroom!) I’ll be back on track. Just watch. You’ll see.

This guy makes me think. I usually have a bit of a learning curve with most of his posts as I’m desperately trying to learn the industry, but I wholeheartedly agree with this post. And it fits ANYTHING, not just writing. If you want to do something and you aren’t good at it, don’t give up. Just keep at it.

Dean Wesley Smith: Talent Is A Myth

I’m working on another short story. I’ve been thinking about this one for about a week now and trying to get the details right. There’s some political (fictional course) elements to it, and some fairly deep manipulation and soul searching. Oh yes and werewolves. But my sore throat and my exhausted human body are keeping my fingers from typing and forcing me into bed.  Yep, more writing tomorrow. Maybe I’ll be able to finish it up over lunch.

The two edits I have been preoccupied with are both finally in submissions (and in one case, out to another market already). Now I can focus on short stories for SAD. And putting my hastily scribbled notes from the past two weeks, I have four story ideas in various levels of develoment. And then I plucked out my “ideas” folder where I tend to drop tidbits I don’t have the time to deal with for “later”. Later is here.  One of those is going to get resurrected, possibly.  While I don’t like leaving things unfinished, these aren’t exactly started; they’re just characters waiting for life.

So one SAD is done, and I have four in the works. My editing pool is growing. I guess I don’t have to worry about being short of stories to edit. 🙂