Monday, October 01, 2007

I'm So Short!

Actually, I am.  But that’s not what I mean.  I spent some of last week rewriting a short story that I’d written a few years ago.  And then I entered it in a contest.  I think I might be losing my mind.

Wasn’t it about a year ago that I said I didn’t like them and didn’t want to read or write them?  I think I have Patti Abbott to thank or kill for this.  Also Megan Abbott who asked me to write a story for A Hell of A Woman.

What I’m getting at here is that suddenly all I want to write are short stories.  I see the beauty of it now.  Not only in the form but in the time one has to devote to it.  And the almost instant gratification which I’m a great believer in.

Maybe this is what I’m meant to do right now.  Don’t care.  I’m doing it.

15 comments:

pattinase (abbott) said...

I am so happy to hear this. There is great satisfaction in having the time to get every word right. Plus, getting tired of those people, move on. I'll be joining you with ss in about two days.
Next you can switch to poems. Someone told me once, poets are always happy because they can get a full day's work in before 10:00.

Unknown said...

And a tricky little story that one in A HELL OF A WOMAN IS, too.

Sandra Scoppettone said...

Well, yes, Patti, I should move on to poetry. Why not write all the things you don't get paid for?

Trust me...I'll never write poetry. I gave that up in high school after my first love affair went south.

Thanks, Bill.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Congrats on writing short stories. I love reading them.

I'm a big believer in instant gratification. My husband tells me I look for short cuts in everything I do. He's right. I've always thought writing short stories is incredibly hard. Mine are usually classified 'slice of life' pieces so I guess I never really learned how. Writing anything is hard. I'm contemplating trying my hand at jewelry making -- like stringing beads.:}

BTW, Chicken Soup for the Chocolate Lover's Soul will hit the stands on October 16th. If you pass one on the stands, I'm The Dud in White on page 167.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Getting paid? People get paid for this?

Jessica Ferguson said...

I don't know who the "getting paid' question is for... but yeah, getting paid for the Dud in White. $200. Go to their website and check out what they're looking for. I've tried to get in their books for years so don't know how this story made it - except it's funny and poking fun at myself. Also, I sent it in 2 days before deadline so I think they were still desperately looking.

Of course, if this "getting paid" question wasn't for me... just ignore this info. :-)

Sandra Scoppettone said...

Jess: Writing a short story IS hard, which is one of the reasons I didn't think I could write them. But now I'm not letting that stop me and you shouldn't either.

Patti: No. They don't get paid for ss or poetry. But sometimes people get paid for writing novels. I have a feeling you're going to find that out.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Flash fiction, anyone? Our local writer's group invited the editor of Mouth Full of Bullets to speak to us. He invited us all to submit flash fiction to him. A contest. I've always been a sucker for contests.

The catch is: the guy sitting to our left had to come up with the first sentence and we're to write the story from that first sentence --. Arghhhh. That puts a different spin on things. :(

Sandra, I've always loved short stories. Used to submit to magazines when short stories were being read and being published. That's how I know I'm a slice of life type person. The rejections pointed it out. Too much Erica Jong, I guess. :)

BTW, check out http://www.mouthfullofbullets.com/ The editor is a working law officer with a love for writing and writers. MFOB has been an online mag -- but it's going paper. And I think he's starting to pay a little something too.

pattinase (abbott) said...

I have a story in that issue (MFOB) but didn't get paid. Maybe I will somewhere down the line though.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Patti - did you get a print copy of MFOB with your story in it? I sent BJ and his wife a long list of mystery bookstores she's hoping will carry the magazine. He did say he's going to start paying... I have no idea when. And of course, it won't be much.

If you didn't get a print copy, and can't get one from BJ I'll be happy to send you my copy.... AFTER I read your story. :)

pattinase (abbott) said...

Jess-Thanks so much but I'll send him my $6. It's the least I can do for someone brave enough to try and get a print journal going in these times. Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

Hi and good for you to follow your heart and instincts. I really like the honesty of your blog.

Jessica Ferguson said...

Thought someone might be interested in this since we're talking about short stories. :) Got it from Moira Allen's http://www.writing-world.com


MYSTERY AUTHORS FLASH FICTION CONTEST
-------------------------------------
DEADLINE: November 15, 2007
GENRE: Short Stories
THEME: Original flash fiction of between 100 and 1500 words.
Theme: A Mysterious Holiday. Email submissions only. No attachments.
PRIZE: $5 and publication
URL: http://www.mysteryauthors.com/submit.html

Unknown said...

Well, that's a turn up for the books, as we say in England. I'm glad you're joining me in short story land ...

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