So, as I mentioned in my previous blog post, I am attempting to write a short story while I'm waiting for my beta readers to be done with my novel. One of the difficulties I'm having is with being patient. I realize it takes time to read a novel. It takes even more time to read a novel with an eye for things such as plot holes, things they liked or didn't like, parts that confused them, etc. I get that, but I'm just excited to move on to the next step. I don't want to rush anyone though. I recognize that now I need to entertain my brain so it doesn't get impatient.
To further that goal, I have decided to write a short story based loosely on the characters and setting of my novel. The problem is that I haven't written a short story in years. My process is that I've taken the steps I used in writing my novel and used them to outline my short story. Then I had to cut quite a bit out and use the bare bones of the outline to make just three scenes. That was incredibly difficult for me. Apparently I'm a very wordy person.
Now I've started writing the actual story itself, based on my three scene outline. I'm finding the short story format very limiting. I think my process will be to let the words flow and cut out everything that isn't absolutely necessary in the editing phase. Which is similar to what you do when you write a novel.
I'll let you know my progress as I write. I may end up loving the short story format. Wish me luck!
