Tuesday 17 November 2009

Tin Castles & Cheap Cigars, aka The Degeneration of an Idea

Now that's a long blog title, I'm expecting Blogger to object (or LJ if you're reading my ramblings there) to it and if you're reading it now, I'm guessing they didn't. Anyhow...

I'm currently in the first flush of an idea for a short story (that my mind is trying to convince me could be novella length, but which we both know will end up scraping 2,000 words at most) and as per usual, I'm convinced this one is going to be great. That's nothing new. Here is how stories usually pan out for me.

Spark of an idea
Me: Ooh, interesting.

Idea begins to build
Me: This is going to be fan'frickin'tastic. Fantasy & Science Fiction here we come.


Open up blank page in Word
Me: I'm in love with you first paragraph

Several hours later
Me: First paragraph you suck

Some more hours later
Me: Idea you are plain old ordinary and why is there a garden gnome
running around the plot.

Everything rewritten, rewritten and rewritten some more
Me: I'd send it to F&SF but my ink is low and I'd have to go to the Post Office
and well, you know that idea was not as great as the one I just thought of.
Now that story, I will send.

At this point I should add that I have submitted to Fantasy & Science Fiction once (story now retired) and sometimes the glow doesn't wear off until several editors have shooed me away.




King of my castle.. by ~Rowiel on deviantART


NaNoWriMo Prompt Words:

Tin Castle
Cheap Cigars
Chorus of Devils
Rooftops
Pathology
Playing Poker
Deja-Vu
Knee Caps
Scrap Metal

11 comments:

Aaron Polson said...

Sounds like the same discussion I have in my head about every story I write. Last night, I spent 30 minutes wondering where to send a story I was convinced they'd reject anyway. Whew.

Katey said...

I, like Aaron, find that conversation all too familiar. It's so nice of you to not let me feel alone in my madness :D

Cate Gardner said...

Aaron, I believe there is no end to our misery.

Katey, the asylum walls are going to crack soon. Can you hear the NaNoers singing.

Tuonela said...

"Me: First paragraph you suck"

I have that on speed dial...

Ray Veen said...

Excellent description of the story-writing process. This post should be inscribed on a monument or something.

K.C. Shaw said...

My brain works like that too! And I've pretty much given up on subbing to F&SF. My printer isn't good enough for them, much less my writing.

BT said...

Substitute F&SF for Cemetry Dance and I'm on that train.

Unfortuantely I have an extra carriage that weighs up printing a sub and electronically subbing, which reduces my options even further.

Then I think the story is shite anyway so it doesn't matter...

Carrie Harris said...

Heh. I do the same, only with novels. Maybe I should start writing more shorts and save myself the stress.

Cate Gardner said...

Ian, LOL!

Ray, it'll be inscribed on my tombstone, will that do?

KC, LOL!

BT, :D

Carrie, I do the same with novels (several times a draft).

Jamie Eyberg said...

I have silenced my inner voice with duct tape and electric shocks.

Loved the picture. Inspiration here I come!

Cate Gardner said...

Jamie, some duct tape for me please.