I have been working on my application to Clarion West for the last 5-6 weeks. I had 4-5 stories I was considering for revision and inclusion in the application, and in the end I chose one that is shows a personal relationship between a man and an alien aboard a starship. The second one was conceived during a run in the rain in late December and it is a story written from the perspective of a young child in a post-apocalyptic society. Both stories are about 3300 words and reviewed well in my critique group. In fact, I just submitted the second one (and got my first rejection for it as well). The application also had 4 or 5 short 200 word essay questions which I wrote, and I submitted the application on Wednesday. Wish me luck!
I have continued submitting my 2 flash stories and now my short story. Thanks to the submission grinder (how did people submit stories before this tool?) for finding markets. I went back into my own archives and found a story that I submitted about 2 years ago. It was rejected and I got scared to send it back out. Well, I reread it and I liked it, so it is back out as well, which means I now have 3 flash stories and one short currently making the rounds.
Not much more to report at this time. I have 3 or 4 stories currently in various stages of revision and I am trying to decide if I want to revise them, or focus more on writing new work. I have a short story in my head which is sort of a retelling of “The Running Man,” but with some twists and ideas that make it my own. I’ve written a few scenes of it and I know what I want to have happen, and I think that is where I am going to focus my attention, honestly. I also have my novel. I haven’t written a word on that since November 30th.
I’ve started reviewing and critiquing work more regularly on the Online Writing Workshop. If you’re there, I’ll see you around. Until next time…