Thursday, December 20, 2012

Short Stories....

Inspired by Milo James Fowler's success, I am signing up for Write1Sub1 for 2013. I love the participation badge.
 
 
 
 
 
My plan is to write short stories whenever I get into a funk with novel writing - when my desk is too dirty (it an overwhelming a mess right now), when I get stuck, when I can't decide which project to work on, or when I just need a break.  I'm headed to graduate school in the fall - I'd rather be armed with a stack of short stories than none at all.
 
I intend to write stories involving the ancillary characters in the historical novels I'm writing.  If nothing else, the stories will help me flesh out the historical details and immerse myself in the period.
 
I went to the gym this week and walked around the indoor track.  The sign on the beige wall says you have to do the outside loop nine times to walk a mile.  I haven't made it around nine times yet - or maybe I have - it's so boring that I lose count.  When I was there this week, I wrote a short story in my mind. 
 
Maybe I can write 12 short stories and lose 12 pounds this year just by walking while staring at beige walls.  I think I'll peel on my yoga pants this morning and get it done after taking the small one to preschool.  Must remember my tiny notebook and a pen this time.
 
If you haven't already, check out Milo James Fowler's post - you will find it inspiring whether you write short stories or not.
 

18 comments:

  1. Milo is the master of the short stories!
    Good for you. I think writing those stories will really help your novel.

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    1. I went to the gym and walked and then wrote, then walked some more. The seniors that were walking when I started were still up there and were still lapping me. Every step's a miracle, even if they are slow, right?

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  2. Good luck with Write1Sub1! I get some of my best story idea's at the gym. :)

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    1. I was able to write a whole story in my tiny little notebook. I think I'll do this every morning.

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  3. That's probably good if you're going into a grad program.

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    1. I think so too. Especially since I'll be taking a 16 week class on short story writing, where they will presumably be expecting students to write at least 16 stories. Even bringing sucky, half-done stories will be better than nothing.

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  4. Awesome idea, Tonja! Best of luck. I find taking a break to write something else here or there does clear my head a bit and makes writing feel like less of a chore.

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    1. I agree with that. Everything else in my life is a chore - writing shouldn't be.

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  5. I will check out the post. Milo's 'write one sub one' appealed to me too. I'm just wondering if I can stick with it.

    I'd like to increase my output of short stories, and it would give me a chance to write something different from my novels. I will go and check out Milo's post. I like his short stories and his success is appealing. I'm thinking about it, that's the first step.

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  6. Congratulations with going to graduate school. I know that you have been wanting to do this for a very long time. Good-luck with the writing of your short stories. I am trying to write my first. I think that I am going to try loosing weight in the new year too. Best of luck with your new endeavours and have a fantastic Christmas and New Year.

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  7. Good luck with the short stories and the pounds!

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  8. Good luck with the short stories and pounds! I do find it very useful to flesh out characters in novels by writing shorter fiction with them. :)

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  9. That's a fantastic plan and I hope you stick with it. Short story writing truly is great for kick starting creativity.

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  10. I do lots of plotting when I'm jogging. I often thing about scenes and dialouge issues and work them out. My ipod helps with the boredom when you're using the oval track.

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  11. Good luck! I know you can do it. :-)

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  12. So glad you're climbing aboard the W1S1 train! It's a great challenge and a great community of writers.

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  13. Sounds like you have a plan! Good luck with it.

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