tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628136654123697065.post8657723402645255105..comments2023-02-17T00:52:33.688-08:00Comments on A Million Miles from Anywhere: The Challenge - 52 Short Stories in a YearChris Wardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03041048445927976912noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628136654123697065.post-63870304526054297452012-07-11T20:19:06.020-07:002012-07-11T20:19:06.020-07:00Hi Rachel, I'm the same but I find that quite ...Hi Rachel, I'm the same but I find that quite often if I just sit down and start typing a sentence a story sometimes comes out. One thing I do is pick a letter of the alphabet to begin with and go from there. I hear you on unfinished stuff, I must have twice as much again. I even have some unfinished novels in the 70 to 100k range. I know a lot of people say you should always finish what you start, but I don't agree. I think you should put down whatever amount of the idea you have while you can, because you never know when you might come up with a conclusion. Better to start and not finish than not start at all.<br /><br />As for thinking in short lengths, I see short stories more as scenes, or chapters of a novel that have a tighter conclusion. My novel started as a short story, and the novel pretty much carries on from what happens at the end of the short. I think the more of them you write the better you get. Since I started the challenge I've written 25k across 6 different projects. I wouldn't describe any of them as good but they're getting better, but for me its very important to have a motivation. 1000 words/day or 52 short stories/a year is working pretty well at the moment.Chris Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03041048445927976912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628136654123697065.post-9853234872177791152012-07-11T20:07:38.694-07:002012-07-11T20:07:38.694-07:00I love writing short stories, but my problem has a...I love writing short stories, but my problem has always been the ideas. I seem to think in novel length. Or short short length. Coming up with an idea that will fit neatly in the 3000-5000 word range is not easy.<br /><br />Or I get an idea for some characters and a situation, but no idea how to end it. (I've got dozens of these sitting on my harddrive.)<br /><br />I'm highly impressed with your success so far!Rachel Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13915069245790393030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628136654123697065.post-24874801955378833382012-07-02T17:17:14.526-07:002012-07-02T17:17:14.526-07:00Thanks Ana, that's a good quote! I have two s...Thanks Ana, that's a good quote! I have two stories finished and three more on the go. None I would consider good but the more you write the better you get. Just finding the time is hard - last night I wasn't free to write until 11pm and tonight I don't finish my various jobs until 10.30pm. It's all very well for full time writers like Dean Wesley Smith to shoot down people who don't have time to write, but unfortunately some of us have things that need to be done. When free time is at a premium something has to give, and for me its internet use. I'm trying to cut right back, particularly stuff like forum browsing.Chris Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03041048445927976912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628136654123697065.post-16742556286492355862012-07-02T17:12:42.730-07:002012-07-02T17:12:42.730-07:00It's true. I find it really hard to write wit...It's true. I find it really hard to write with a pen but I do find it easier if I brainstorm ideas first. The novel that is splashed all over this site started out as an A3 spider diagram. Once I use the bones of the plot writing it was easy.Chris Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03041048445927976912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628136654123697065.post-24436172590038900252012-07-02T14:54:17.024-07:002012-07-02T14:54:17.024-07:00An ambitious challenge, but well worth your time. ...An ambitious challenge, but well worth your time. As Ray Bradbury put it, "Write a short story every week. It's not possible to write 52 bad short stories in a row." I'm also gearing up to write several short stories and complete a few that are in the works. I might dedicate one month to completing four stories and add on more goals from there. <br /><br />Best wishes on this challenge! <br /><br />AnaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628136654123697065.post-80526044427770043862012-06-29T05:16:49.420-07:002012-06-29T05:16:49.420-07:00I find that Facebook, forums, and surfing steals m...I find that Facebook, forums, and surfing steals my writing time. Or I should say - I give them my time. :) <br /><br />Recently, I've found that using good ol' pen and paper first to make notes and outlines gets my creativity flowing. Then when I sit down with a computer, I'm already headed in the right direction. <br /><br />I wish you well with this endeavor! <br /><br />Donna<br /><a href="http://www.topsyturvyland.com/" rel="nofollow">Topsy Turvy Land</a>Donna J. Shepherdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16101584349756490950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628136654123697065.post-68787797845968753962012-06-28T21:13:51.626-07:002012-06-28T21:13:51.626-07:00Cheers dude! I'm finding that 10pm to midnigh...Cheers dude! I'm finding that 10pm to midnight slot particularly productive, especially as the wife has commandeered the iMac for exclusive Youtube use, leaving me to write on her piece of trash Toshiba, on which the internet doesn't work ... probably a blessing in disguise!Chris Wardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03041048445927976912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-628136654123697065.post-7116064375352600342012-06-28T20:37:50.825-07:002012-06-28T20:37:50.825-07:00Sounds like an interesting challenge - similar in ...Sounds like an interesting challenge - similar in philosophy to Nanowrimo. Good luck!Seannoreply@blogger.com