Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Writing Short-Stories




I’d like to thank Milo Fowler for inspiring me to start writing short-stories again. He recently concluded a year-long quest of writing one short-story per week for one whole year. He got the idea from Ray Bradbury who suggested authors should try to write one short-story a week for a single year in order to improve their writing. 

Ray famous dared writers to compose 52 bad short-stories in a year, claiming that it couldn’t be done. If you stick to the game plan you’re bound to start coming up with something good. Milo himself has had several of is short-stories from last year published and has proved Bradbury’s point for certain. 

I began with the first of the year and already have one story complete and will work on another this week. It may not be easy, but I intend to give it a shot for an entire year. How about you, are you game for challenging yourself to a year of short-stories?

24 comments:

  1. I wish. I do plan on participating in several blogfests, though. Since my focus is on my novels, that is what I work on in my spare time. Let us know how the short stories are coming.

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  2. Hi Mark..short story is a great way to practice writing. I am sure you will write a good story.

    Btw...I read the first chapter of your book. I loved it. Will read it again and will email you in a couple of days.

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  3. I do think this would be a great way to hone your skills. I haven't completed anywhere near 52 stories and I'm sure if I wrote that many, they would get better. Good luck, keep us updated!

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  4. Milo is amazing! He's had so many short stories published this past year. A real inspiration.

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  5. Mark - this blog and your frequent visitors and commentors are just so inspiring. What a great idea. I'm really looking forward to when my current nonfiction book project is done early this summer so that I can start making an earnest switch to fiction...or at least try. Writing short stories seems like a GREAT way to "practice" and "experiment." Keep up the great work and best woshes to you for as much of your inspiration as you provide us!

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  6. I think that's a great idea. Couldn't do it myself. I find short stories harder to write than novels. But Milo is definitely the go-to guy for short story market info. His entire A to Z challenge theme last April was an alphabetized list of print and e-publishers that accept short stories. Hopefully he has it all archived for people to use as a reference. Very helpful info.

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  7. That's an intense challenge! I sure hope you'll post a couple on here :)

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  8. Nothing like setting goals that inspire and stretch one's abiltiies! I cannot do it though...I like to do one story! : )

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  9. Thanks for the shout out, Mark, and way to go -- you'll be glad you took up the challenge. Write1Sub1 has seriously changed my writing career for the better.

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  10. It's a huge challenge. I am committed to doing the 'lite' version, which is a short story per month. I'd do the 52 but I got a ton of novel revisions and plans for at least a draft of another to complete. If that doesn't work then I'll go hardcore for the write 1 sub 1 next year.

    Good luck

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  11. You've started an amazing challenge! I hope you succeed in it in every possible way, but how could you lose? You'll be writing everyday. That's winning to me. Enjoy!

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  12. I need to print out that cartoon and frame it somewhere. Might make a good addition to the Nook.

    I plan on writing more flash fiction this year, whenever something short and sweet pops in the old noggin. :)

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  13. Probably not this year. But back in 2011 I did think to myself that I wanted to write more short stories; I still want to write and complete at least six in 2012. A lot less than 52, but a step up from zero.

    Good luck with the challenge!

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  14. A short story a week for a year. Ugh. I don't know if I could take that on. Keep us up to date on how it's working for you.

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  15. That cartoon is my writing life, hee hee. I'm in my second year of w1s1. Glad to have you aboard, Mark.

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  16. I'd love to, but since I spend so much time in the woods, without any computer access and in a completely disarrayed state of mind, I don't think it's possible. I'd have to cheat.

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  17. I like this challenge, but one a week? Hmm, I might go for one every fortnight.

    Good luck with your challenge!

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  18. I agree they can help to a certain degree, but they can also get time-consuming if you're working on something else. Ray Bradbury was a full-time writer so he could afford the time. If you're writing in your free time, the game is different.

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  19. Mark, thanks for the comment and for following lojwriting.blogspot.com! Great goal for the weekly short story. I'm taking a class this Spring centered on short-stories and can't wait! Maybe I'll join in the goal. :)

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  20. I like the idea of this challenge. Thinking I might modify it to a chapter a week instead of a short story. As Ben said, writing in your free time sort of prioritizes what you write on.

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  21. I have a tough time writing short stories since really working hard to be a novelist. For over a decade, though, that's all I wrote.

    Writing short stories is a great way to hone your craft, and is an art form that stands on its own merit.

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  22. Miranda – Thanks, will do!

    Rachna – Thanks so much, hope that you enjoy it:)

    Nick – I already feel it making a difference in the way I write, also it helps clear a lot of old ideas out of my head now that I can put them to paper.

    Alex – Milo is indeed an inspiration:)

    Jim- Glad you’re enjoying it! I very much enjoy reading all your Civil War info on your blog.

    L.G. – I felt the same way about short-story writing until I finally just forced myself to do it. Now, I’m cool with it:)

    J.A. – Not a bad idea:) I found your new blog and am enjoying it!

    LittleJeans – Well, I like to have lots of goals, but so long as I meet them it’s all good.

    Milo – You bet, you really have inspired me! Thanks for the link.

    Rusty – It is indeed, but sometimes that only attracts me more to it:)

    Emily – Thanks for the good wishes!

    David – Funny, but somewhat true too. Hope plenty more good ideas pop into your noggin this year!

    Eagle – Yup, it can be a lot to write, but I find that if I get into a rhythm, anything is possible.

    Donna – Two weeks in and all on schedule so far (fingers crossed).

    Deborah – Rad, so glad to hear it!

    McKenzie – Well, even in the woods all you need is pen and paper, i.e. a Room of One’s Own (think Virginia Woolf) ;)

    Lynda – A fortnight’s not bad, let me know if you tri it:)

    Ben – Definitely. I work fulltime myself, but I still can’t resist this challenge.

    Lo – Nice to meet you, I enjoy your blog:)

    Steph – That’s a great goal, let me know how it works out for you.

    Jay – I felt the same way until recently, but since I’ve started forcing myself to write them, I’m starting to like short-story work more.

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  23. Oh, I like that challenge! How much time do you spend editing a short story? Good luck to you!

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