This has been the longest I've been away from my blog. I had a lovely Easter break with a houseful of grown up children and two young grandsons. The Easter egg hunt took place in warm sunshine for a change and it was great fun. However, that was two weeks ago so I've no excuse. I have to get back to the computer and get some serious writing done.
I think I've told you before that I work better if there 's a deadline looming. I've been working (slowly!) on an entry for a short story competition where the closing date is May 15th, a whole month away! It's about a little girl who gets lost during a busy carnival when she and her parents are on holiday. It was inspired by the wonderful spectacle we watched on a recent visit to Tenerife in early March. I've written it from her dad's point of view and have tried to convey the emotional roller-coaster he experiences when she goes missing. After the first draft, it's around 2300 words and the word limit for the local competition for which it was intended is 1500 so it's far too long. I took it along when I met with a writing buddy, Kelly, last week and she came up with an interesting point. If I try to cut a third of the draft in order to comply with the competition word limit, wouldn't I lose the essence of the story? Perhaps it would be better to keep it for another competition and write another one. After editing and looking at the story again, I have decided that Kelly is right and so I'm trying to find inspiration for another story. Of course, this means that the deadline is closer now so maybe that will be just the incentive I need to get back on track. 
I'm pleased to report that my story, 'The Curse of the Turquoise Pool', made the long-list for the Nottingham Writers' Group competition on the theme of 'Water' but sadly didn't make the shortlist which was published on the site today. I'll keep trying!
Have you ever taken too long a break from writing? If so, what was the best incentive to get you back to writing? I'd love to hear what worked for you.
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Congrats on your Nottingham long-listing! That's great news.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right to give yourself a set number of hours a week and try and stick to those and it's better to set that figure low to begin with because you're more likely to stick to it. You can always increase it once you're in your routine. I do the same as you, Jan, I make appointments with myself to write and nothing gets in the way of those times. (Except my mother - she didn't get the memo!) And I carry a couple of notebooks everywhere with me and have Evernote on my phone so I can always jot things down as they occur and sneak in a little extra writing time here and there. It all adds up!
Thanks, Kath. Carrying a notebook is a good idea. I sometimes start stories and jot down ideas there but I like the idea of 'Evernote.' Thank you for commenting.
DeleteDelighted to have you back in Blog-Land, Jan. Congratulations on being long-listed.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your planned writing targets. It's important to start out with a target you know you can achieve. Bump it up later. I've used daily word count targets and they have worked for me.
As for deadlines - I do a lot of needlework and over the years have done many pieces of embroidery for anniversary presents,special birthdays etc and I can honestly say I met every deadline. At present, however, I have a couple of pieces on the go, but with no deadline to aim at, they are taking forever. It doesn't apply just to writing!
Thanks, Sue. I think daily word counts may help me so I'll give that a go. I always make deadlines so it seems to be the way to go if I set them for writing too. I was interested to read about your embroidery presents as my mum always did them for special occasions in our family too. They're even more special now that she's no longer with us. Thank you for commenting.
DeleteHi, Jan. I've been without my computer since Christmas, and now my lovely hubby has bought me a new one and desk as well. Such faith he has in me. Or perhaps keeping me quiet. I know the story and I'm sure it will be published somewhere some time. Keep writing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. I really enjoyed writing that story so I shan't give up on it just yet. It's lovely to have you back after the problems with your computer. I love the pictures of your new desk too. Alan's faith in you is well deserved!
DeleteThanks for your comments.
Good luck with the competition, I think you're probably right about trying to find a new story for it. Most stories benefit from a light pruning, but cutting a third out does sound drastic!
ReplyDeleteDeadlines set by other people work for me, but the problem with setting them for myself is that it's too easy to ignore them.
Thanks for your good wishes and comments, Linda. I've started my new story now so fingers-crossed it will be shorter than the first one yet be complete with a satisfying ending. In the past, sometimes in order to keep to a word limit, my endings can appear rushed. I can't remember who said it (but I've always thought it was good advice) 'A story is as long as it needs to be for the story to be told.' I can see why competitions have word limits but I don't always know when I start how long the story will be.
DeleteGreat to see you back, Jan. Time really does pass by quickly. Wishing you lots of luck with your next competition and hope your writing continues with joy! It's funny how life sometimes prevents us from doing the things we want to do most. Hope all is well!! Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicola, especially for your good wishes. I have enjoyed writing this week and am quite excited about a new story I've just finished. It still needs working on but I've had great support from members of my writing groups. I appreciate your comments.
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