 Short Stories: July 13, 2011 Issue [#4502] |
  Short Stories
This week: Finding Inspiration Edited by: Ben Langhinrichs  
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Greetings! I am one of the editors for the Short Stories Newsletter, and I hope to share some of my thoughts on writing short stories, and perhaps about writing in general. I suggest you treat these not as pearls of wisdom dropped from on high, but rather musings of a fellow writer, written to inspire, provoke or stimulate your personal muse. I welcome your thoughts, feedback and suggestions.
~ Ben Langhinrichs
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Finding Inspiration... Or Not
If there is one thing endlessly available to writers, it is advice. Some comes from those who have published bestselling novels, some comes from the gal who has self-published stories on her blog, and some comes from your mother (who may, in rare cases, also be in one of the first two groups.)
Advice comes in all shapes and sizes, but one of the most frequent pieces that I hear is... Write every day!
On the surface, this is good advice. That novel is not going to finish itself. That short story in your head will never be read until it is put down on paper. That poem which sings in your mind will only sing for others if it is shared.
Nonetheless, it is not always good advice. We may all be writers, but we are none of us only writers. Writing is not a virtue while all else is a sin. Spending time walking the dog rather than polishing your latest story does not make you lazy. In fact, it makes you a loving dog owner, and that is no small thing. Same with kids, spouses, "day jobs", etc.
For most of us, writing is not a full time job. Many of us dream of it being a full time job, but many of us dream of singing with a pop group or playing baseball for (or against) the Yankees.
Writing can be a joy or a chore. If it feels like a chore, and if your livelihood doesn't depend on it, put it down. Be all the other things you can be, a parent, a lover, a reader, a friend, a mechanic, a naturalist, a singer-in-the-shower.
Write for the joy of it. Write because the voice inside you is bursting to get out, and capturing the words on paper is the only way you know to let it out. Don't write because you should. Write because you can.
On that note, I am signing off on my regular role as editor of this newsletter. I have enjoyed it very much, but the inspiration is slipping, and I'd rather leave before it becomes a chore.
Write on... or not! It is your choice.
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Feedback from readers
The newsletter these readers were responding to is
"Planning ahead... or not" by Ben Langhinrichs
There isn't a right way to write a short story, but there are reasons to try something new. (Short Stories Newsletter - June 15, 2011)
Soulchild  I like the idea of writing without a plan, it feels more challenging and real than writing with a plan. It inspires me to be extra creative and allow myself to make mistakes. The great thing about this approach is when all the pieces come together to form a complete short story.
LJPC - the tortoise Hi Ben!
Thanks for the great NL about whether to outline or not. It's refreshing that you diddn't pick a side in the argument. I think authors do best when they use a bit of both, although either way is good as long as the writer writes! Just getting the words on the page is a struggle. Use all the amunition you have. Thanks for the helpful NL! 
-- Laura
NickiD89  Great topic, Ben! I've experimented with both pantsing and plotting, and have come to the conclusion that I need to do both in every project. I can't begin to write without an ending point in sight on the horizon. And I like to have a couple plot points established to guide me there. But as soon as I begin to write, the freedom to let the story unfold as it needs to comes not from any decision I consciously make. It's always at this point that I realize the Muse is firmly in control; she's the author and I'm merely a tool, like the paper and pen. She's a real pantser at heart, that Muse of mine!
Lothmorwel I have been meaning to get back into writing for months, maybe even years. I used to write loads when I had essays and university work to do, but now I'm not in education anymore there's nothing drawing me to a computer (apart from the irritating yet unavoidable Facebook!) and nothing I should be doing to make me prefer writing. When I think about starting again I view it with the same dread as my uni homework used to evoke!!
Your newsletter has encouraged me to just get on with it - have a go at a random character doing what he/she/it fancies and also to get stuck into my endlessly planned story. Do something even if it's a daunting and tricky - crap writing is better than no writing!
Thank you.
Joy  Thank you, Ben, for a great newsletter.
Planning is good if the writer has little time and if he is, by nature, an organized person. The rest of us like to flounder around and try to catch the big one with the distant hope that it'll show up. 
LinnAnn -Book writer  After struggling with last years NaNoWriMo, I believe in mixing the two styles. Without a basic outline and timeline, I had to keep going back to see how many days had passed in the story, where to put in 'seat of pants' scenes etc. One gives you direction and the other gives breadth.
love, LinnAnn
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