I've written my last short story. No, not for ever but for a while. I've got a few short stories to tweak and edit but as for starting to write a spanking new story from scratch, that's it. Why? Well, I've made a choice and I'm going to spend time on my novel. I know now I'm not someone who can do both at the same time. While I'm completing my novel, I need to concentrate on that and immerse myself in the story, converse and interact with my characters and get the writing done. Those of you who have been following my blog will know that it's going on a bit now and the first draft needs to be finished.
During July, I took part in CampNaNoWriMo. CampNaNoWriMo is a more open-ended version of the original November event in which I took part. The organisation welcomes word-count goals anywhere between 10,000 and 1,000,000! The idea is that you have a virtual creative retreat where you write to achieve the goal you've set yourself in the company and support of other writers. A big thank you to Kath Eastman for inviting me to join her 'cabin'. Congratulations, Kath, on achieving an impressive word count on your new novel! I knew from the outset that July was going to be a very busy month for me with lots of family celebrations so in the end I set my goal at 12,000 words. In the end, I'd written 13,474 words. Each one of those words took me a step nearer to finishing the first draft. Apart from the week when I was in Manchester, I did write practically every day and this is what I see now when I open my page. This way of writing is not for everyone but I've learned so much in my first effort. 
I've now written over 71,000 words of the first draft and am well on my way to finishing. This is something I'm determined to do without any more distractions from short stories but I'm sure the pull to write one will still be there. I like the fact that you can finish a complete story in a relatively short space of time and the sense of achievement that brings. I also know that 'getting it right' will be when the real work begins but for now I need to get the book written!
What about you? Can you write short stories along side writing your novel? How do you get the balance right? Perhaps you started by writing short stories but now you mainly write novels. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Thank you for reading. You may also follow me on Twitter @JanBayLit and on my Jan Baynham Writer Facebook page.
Hi, Jan, not sure if my comment on the last post showed up, but it was a great interview with Judith. I had to do what you're doing with my Hats novel. It kept getting pushed to one side, then one day I decided to get it done and stick at it. The previous year I'd done Nano as well, so I had all the bones of it down, and went through and edited and now it's with publishers. Still waiting to hear. I have edited and sent out some old stories, and done the wedding Redington one. Now I want to publish all my Redington stories into one volume as well. I think you can only focus on one thing, but that's just me maybe. Good luck with yours. Honno would be a good publisher for you I think.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that it worked and that you've got your Hats novel out with publishers. Good luck; I hope you hear something soon.
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the interview with Judith, thank you. I'm sorry that your comment didn't show. Thanks for commenting on both posts. :-)
I'd love to be able to write short stories as well as novels but I seem to have fallen into novel mode and my writing brain now finds it hard to "think short"! Any plots which might work as a short story seem to grow and grow... and grow... and soon it's far too complex as a story plot. Oddly, though, I'm still able to write articles for my family history blog while I'm in the middle of writing a novel. Obviously being non-fiction it must use a different part of the brain!
ReplyDeleteWhen I started writing stories, they were usually quite short but even though I'm not at your stage, Wendy, I find they seem to be getting longer and longer. I haven't written any non-fiction articles for a while but the point you make is interesting. Thank you for commenting. PS I love family history but have been neglecting mine lately.
DeleteAt the moment I am doing both but of course that has meant that the novel has progressed slower than it would have done had I concentrated on that only. If my novel is taken up, I am aware things might have to change but at the moment the mag stories are my income.
ReplyDeleteI can understand that you can't neglect your short stories at the moment, Wendy. Good luck with completing your novel. Thank you for your comments.
DeleteCongratulations on the progress of your first draft, Jan. I used to write stories but then when I began working on a novel, felt that I was more suited to the longer form. That said, I believe there is something to be gained by changing form and now and then I write a story or piece of flash fiction. Different forms work different writing muscles and than can only be good. But I agree that if you want to get a novel draft finished then you have to immerse yourself in it and crack on. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Christine. I can see that once we have been writing a while, we find which form we are best suited to. I enjoy writing flash fiction and agree that different 'writing muscles' are need for that. Thank you for popping by to comment. How is progress on your novel?
DeleteI like to work on both at once. I find I get more done as if one project doesn't appeal I can still write. We're all different though and if you're happiest doing one thing at a time, then that's the best approach for you.
ReplyDeleteI admire the fact that you can switch from one to the other, Patsy. I can only do one thing at once and agree that we have to find out what works best for us. Thank you for commenting.
DeleteI'm delighted to hear about the progress you have made with your novel, Jan. You made such an amazing start by achieving the 50,000 words target for NaNoWriMo last November. If it is tricky for you to work at short stories at the same time, then you've absolutely done the right thing by deciding to concentrate on the novel for the time being. What I'd like to know is - are you hoping to join the RNA New Writers' Scheme next year?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sue. Yes, I am hoping to join and will have to have my application ready with my finger poised to 'send' at 12.02am on Jan 1st 2016. Is that right? Thanks for taking the time to comment.
DeleteThis is why my adult novel's taking so long - I keep getting ideas for short stories and there's more chance of getting them published! (But I have now finished the second draft of a children's novel that began umpteen years ago.)
ReplyDeleteI've already decided I won't do NaNoWriMo this year, but I was interested to hear about your experience of the CampNaNo. I hadn't realized you can choose your own word target for that. I might have a go next year ...
Congratulations on finishing the second draft of the children's novel, Linda, and your successes with your short stories. The NANoWriMo in November has a 50,000 word target but the CampNaNos in April and July are more open-ended as I understand it. Thank you for commenting.
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