…and the dreaded case of ‘Oooh, Shiny New Thing!’
‘Slippers & Chains: Second Base’ isn’t done. Not by a long shot. Using the editing method I’ve employed in the past, I have one more stage to complete before I even get the piece out to beta readers. This is what I call the Kindle Read.
This is where I read direct from the Kindle (oddly!), using the different format and reading environment to help weed out the small niggling things that my Deep Edit might not have caught; changes to POV, inconsistent dialogue, flying body parts and weak areas of plot to name a few. The Kindle Read is also quite speedy – I read as I would read any other book, making notes as I go – meaning that it’s the best time for me to see how the tale flows from A to C via B.
So I have that to do.
But a few weeks back, Breathless Press opened a call for an anthology they’re putting together, built from stories of 5-10k written from a (really intriguing) writing prompt. I can’t reproduce it here (not allowed, it’s current authors only *sad face*) but my thoughts on a story to fit eventually settled on telekinesis, vampires and a ventriloquist dummy as key components.
Now I really, really (REALLY) want to write this story . . . and I just don’t have time. Not really. I mean I could probably squeeze it in, same way that Ileandra did with Dead or Alive, but should I?
The answer is probably no (it is ‘no’) but I really, really want to. My fingers are itching on the keyboard to get that story written, putting aside all other tasks to let it go. I mean . . . it’s only 5-10k right? In a good week I could get that down (first draft) in two days. I could do it in one day if I had a really good run.
It’s moments like this that I really feel what it is to be a writer. To have stories burning holes in me and leaving scorch marks on my mind.
This story will be written eventually. Make no mistake about that. I’ll write it and I’ll enjoy myself doing it, but it probably won’t be ready for the anthology submission deadline. That upsets me a little as it would be wonderful to have another title with Breathless Press.
Then again . . . it’s not like there won’t be more opportunities. And it’s certainly not like I’ve been slacking off. My Amazon Author Page looks incredible since the ‘Meeting Each Other‘ series wrapped up. Looking at all those titles anybody would think I’d been at this writing lark for years and years rather than just two.
But I want to! *pouts*
I feel like a six year old. -_-
Hi, just had a look at your Amazon author page, it looks great! love your covers, they are fabulous and you should be very proud with what you have achieved in such a short time.
Re wanting to do the short story, that’s a tricky one, but you know in your heart you need to pass on it this time.
Have a good week.
LikeLike
Thanks Maria.
You’re right of course and I won’t be trying to cram it in right now. At the very least I can finish what I have on my plate right now and make sure it’s the best it can be.
LikeLike