The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Keeping the Pressure On

         This past week I was working on a story to submit. I'd work on it a bit in the evening, let it marinade until the next day, and write some more.  There was a 1200 word limit, and I'm not sure how many evenings it took to "cook" the piece, but more than a couple.

        Yesterday evening I sent it off.  Since today is the deadline, I was way ahead, compared to the way I usually operate. (The deadline is Friday? That means I have until 11:59 pm on Friday, right?)


photo by sue-tarr
(This is what I look like as I compose a piece. Hey!  Why did you just snort milk out of your nose?)

       However, as I was tinkering on the story, I had another idea for a different story. The same theme. The same anthology. But while my other story was serious, and a story that spanned more than 10 years, this new idea was lighter, and it was a story that covered only an hour or so in my life.

      I began working on it the night before last, when I would take a momentary break and put "aside" the other story.  Yesterday evening, after submitting the other piece, I worked on it some more.

      Hey, twice the submissions. Twice the chance of getting published. But what was more important in my mind was the fact that I'm thinking more like a writer. I'm keeping my eyes open to story ideas.  The writing I'm doing is leading to more writing. And some day, perhaps, I will have countless pieces out there simultaneously, like Linda O'Connell or Janel Gradowski.  And the more stories that are floating around on editors' desks, the greater the chance I have of being published. 

       And if you want to check out some submission possibilities, ask Donna Volkenannt or Lisa Ricard Claro.  Donna regularly (and generously) shares calls for submissions, and Lisa has a heading at the top of her blog...all you have to do is click on the button, and various paying markets will appear.

      So tonight, I'll be back. Right around midnight. Pushing the limit.  And if you're up late tonight, writing, have a cup of coffee. For me...

9 comments:

  1. Best wishes, Sioux! Isn't it wonderful how stimulating and inspiring our blogger buddies can be for our writing? We are a pretty great community, I think!

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  2. Yay! So proud of you!! I have no doubt that you'll be racking up those publishing credits, too!

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  3. Oh, and I agree about the 4 mahhvelous women you mentioned!

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  4. Good luck with your submissions. I love that you can see yourself "thinking like a writer." That makes all the difference! You have the talent, and you obviously have the drive. So...buckle up! It'll happen!

    Thanks for the mention. :)

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  5. Oh, good for you! You gotta write when the inspiration is there!

    Pearl

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  6. Good luck! Sending you some virtual coffee. :)

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  7. I'm gonna wait til the midnight hour...when there's no one else around...

    ;-)

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  8. I like your way of thinking. Good luck with your submissions. Oh, and I like the photo. Don't we all wish we looked like that..all calm and relaxed.

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  9. What a wonderful post! Hits the core of the writing process. Going with the flow is the way to go, in my opinion. As a friend of mine puts it, "Just ride the horse in the direction it's going." Enjoy, enjoy! The process is the best part of it -- better even than being published. ...Oh, and I'm totally with you re the deadlines. A prospective client once asked me, "How long does it take for you to write a grant proposal?" My answer: "As long as I've got."

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