Writer's of the Future

I entered a very short story last quarter to the Writer's of the Future contest. And as expected I didn't make the cut. I wanted to enter something but my longer story wasn't ready yet so I entered a story barely 1000 words long. Traditionally very short stories don't compete well with longer stories and I wasn't surprised. But I entered and that was the important part.

This quarter, I finished writing, and editing a much longer story. In fact, editing out several thousand words to bring the story under the word count cap. I slashed out a huge chunk from the front, and pared down everything. I still don't know how it will fare, but I feel better about this story. I have also written another from the same world, same time that will need editing and cutting that I can submit the following quarter.

In the meantime, I need to get going on the novel itself. While writing the side stories of two of the side characters has been fun, I really want to get the main story out and written, especially while I have some time on my hands.

And for anyone interested, Camp NaNo is coming up tomorrow. I will likely not be participating again even though the camps are far more laid back. I feel summer will be hectic enough without the added pressure of a self imposed deadline. We've already had out garbage disposal break, our AC compressor go down (in time for the hottest day of the year of course), our deck to finish building, and kids to entertain. To add on a story deadline isn't necessary, I write most every day, and feel bad enough when I don't have time on weekends.

I would like to find some way to get the short stories into hands of readers. I'll have to figure something out once I finish the novel. The shorts do give away large points of the novel so likely would have to be released after the novel. Stay tuned for that. Make sure to sign up for my newsletter, as that will likely be the place a would start putting excerpts.