June 17, 2009
Have I started writing that short story I’ve been putting off? The answer is “no.” I’m still fighting my fear and reluctance to try the form again after over a year away from it. Yes, I realize this is all a major head game, and I should have plowed right past it already…but unfortunately, it’s giving me a bit of a tussle. One of the problems is, I’m leaving for New York City in five days, and I’ll be there for a week. Therefore, I know it’s unlikely I’ll have enough time to finish an entire 5,000-6,000-word story in a single, uninterrupted run of days. I hate breaking up the writing of a short story, especially for an entire week. But even this, I know, is a lame excuse. When I’m working on a novel, I sometimes break for a few days at a time for various reasons…and I’m always able to pick up where I left off, plot-wise and feeling-wise. So what I need to do now, soon, tomorrow, is just pick an idea out of thin air and start smacking keys. I’ve put this off too long, and I have to get it in gear. The current deadline for the story I’m planning to write is June 30. If I don’t start soon, I’m going to have a problem finishing by that date. So please, send some good vibes my way. Wish me luck in getting this thing rolling before the deadline passes and I lose my mind, whichever comes first. See you soon.