Day 24: Short Story Marathon

Summary

Last night after I posted yesterday’s entry, my wife was in kitchen late, cranking the Eagles and cooking. Not wanting to be at my desk anymore, I grabbed my laptop and sipped red wine while she cooked. We chatted and I banged out the start of a story while she cooked. It was strange. I usually write early and want quiet with no interruptions. This challenge has pushed me to be able to write anytime, even if it’s a sentence or two. Last night, though, pushed it to the extreme. Talking, sipping wine, banging on the keyboard, listening to fun old music. It was wonderful and about 900 words came out (no idea how long it took). The writing was loose and a bit messy, but not bad at all.

It was slow getting back into it early this morning (no wine, no rock and roll), but I made some progress, but had no idea where to go next. Did a longer run before the heat got too bad (10k) and saw the ending. Story #20 is “Breathing in the Stars” and about 2,400 words long. Read it to Aleia. Off to Dean tomorrow.

A quick pass on “Is Anyone Receiving This?” and story #19 is off to Dean. That’s 15 for the streak.

Heard back from Dean on stories #8 and #9, “Android Adam and Eve” and “A Long Hard Fall.” One is ready for market, one not so much. All good by me. Happy to see a lot are hitting even at this pace (or maybe because of this pace?)

Much of the day was tending to things I’ve neglected during this challenge, but later, Aleia was later getting home than expected, so I dove into the next Woody and June (#4). Tentative title, “Woody and June vs. the Ex.” These stories are such a blast to write, I know I’ll end up with something novel-length. Also pondering serializing them for free (for a limited time, of course.  Sign up for my newsletter–to the right there–to get the announcement and my other very infrequent emails). Read the start to Aleia while she cooked, ’cause it’s just too fun to resist and she loves these (despite not being into  zombies at all).

Depending on length, this could mean the end of the streak, and that’s fine by me. I’m way ahead of my planned 60 day pace.

Stats for Today

Strategies Employed:  Red wine, rock and roll, and a run.

Lessons Learned: A little less work makes me a happier guy.

Words Written: 3,300

Hours: 4

Stories Sent to Dean: 1

Story Summary