End of the Year

A few remnants of Christmas 2010 remain throughout my house: empty gift bags, unopened cookie tins, pieces of candy canes, and an ornament that rolled under the sofa (bad kitty). With all the hustle and bustle of baking, wrapping and getting those last minute gifts I put my writing to the side – I barely had time to read. I have been feeling a little sluggish the last few days and blah. I couldn't put my finger on it. It's not that my belly is full or that I am a little bloated from the ham, cookies and mashed potatoes. It's not that I haven't crafted a new hat or scarf. It's not that I am not enjoying my family. I miss my writing! I miss my characters! Am I insane? Will I end up like a Stephen King character where my character will rebel and come to life? I hope not!

I realize that I have taken a step back from something that has become a huge part of me. For so many years I ignored my creative side, pushing it back to the farthest corners of my mind -- only to release it in a fury of short stories and a young adult novel. So, what I am trying to say is I think I really am a writer! I am not just someone dabbling at writing a clever story or quip; I really and truly am a writer! I may have incorrect grammar, dangle my participles,  and I can't spell worth beans – but who cares – I am a writer! Look out 2011 here I come!

The Mail Truck

In my creative writing class today, I was given an assignment. Write a short short story using this sentence as my cue: The mail truck goes down the coast. Carrying a single letter.

I didn't have a hard time with this, I love being given a cue. My problem was keeping it as a short short story. Here's what I wrote:




The mail truck goes down the coast. Carrying a single letter. The last stop at the end of a long day for Hank, the letter he has seen has a postmark from California. It could mean that his secret love, Angela is leaving him to finally be married to her fiancé. Angela, he adores her and cherishes her from afar, they have known each other their whole lives but she is rich and well, he’s the postman. Angela with her long flowing auburn hair, her pale skin and full lips she is a natural beauty – Hank dreams of her every waking moment. His mind shifts from Angela back to the letter; he selfishly hopes the letter from her fiancé is a curt goodbye. Her love has found someone else and they are to be married soon. Hank knows this will hurt her, but she would heal with time. Maybe Hank could be the one to comfort her and console her. He rounds the final bend in the quiet coastal road and sees Angela’s home. She is working in her garden with a large floppy hat protecting her skin. She is gracefully cutting roses and placing the delicate buds in a basket she is carrying. She looks up as she hears the sound of the mail truck; she drops her basket and clippers and runs toward the mailbox. “Hi Hank, how’s it going today” Hank tips his hat and nods, “Why I am fine Miss Angela. You only have one letter today.” He places it in her hand, hoping she doesn’t notice his hand shaking. “See you next week Angela.” She mutters an okay; as she has already turned away and has begun tearing open the envelope. Hank turns the mail truck around and heads back down the lane. He watches in his rearview mirror and he sees Angela jumping up and down, waving her arms and running into the house. He rounds the bend and that is the last time he sees his love Angela.

Edit and Re-edit.

The deadline for my first short story submission has passed, and now I am anxiously awaiting the out come of the results. For my writer's ego I hope that I at least score an honorable mention. It's my first attempt, but, I put so much effort and heart into that one short story -- I almost feel as if I sent off one of my children in a manila envelope. I promised myself I would not check my e-mail everyday and hope to see the e-mail address from the contest site. I would just pretend I have not entered a contest and am waiting for a slap on the back - letting me know I have done a good job. This said and done, I am working on my second story!

I have found a new method for editing. I would read my story over and over, make so many corrections to the first few paragraphs, and then maybe by the end of the story not be so focused, that I didn't catch phrases and grammar that I should change. So, I start at the end of my story and work my way back. This method seems to get my creative juices flowing -- I noticed this way I look at each sentence on it's own merit, each thought seems to be separate and complete -- voila -- I have a short story.

Editing my novel seems like such a big project, I am almost putting it off. I have some time coming up free of distraction (no computer games, no books, no family) I plan to work as hard as I can on the novel and complete it.

Short Story

Some of the research I have done on "HOW TO GET PUBLISHED" seems I need to make a name for myself, so I can get a literary agent. Step 1) this blog. Step 2) I am trying to get a short story in a publication. I put the final touches on my short story today. I pulled a part of my novel out, tweaked it, polished it and fine tuned it. It makes a great short story...kind of leaves the reader wanting more. Sending it off tomorrow.

I find that I do better, keep myself on track, when I have a deadline. Otherwise, I flop around from thing to thing, bored and restless at the sametime. Give me a deadline and a gingerbread latte and I can crank out something good.

As the year draws near to an end - I can only see postive things for me and my family in 2010. This past year was rough, but I learned a lot about myself, reached in and found that creative self that has been laying dormant for so many years. I shouldn't have ignored it for so long.

Stay tuned for my short story.