I've finished two stories in the past few days. One was the "Swampy Jack" story, which ended up under the title "The Finest Cut." Several folks pointed out that the original title, "Swampy Jack's Finest Cut," might either have given too much away or may not have set the right tone. I agreed. I ended up keeping the character name "Swampy Jack," though, because it fits that character and how he portrays himself. The piece is pretty much pure noir.
The other story is a horror piece under the working title right now of: "A Mouth Wet With Rain and Leaves." Some day I'll post about short versus long titles. Personally, I'm a sucker for long titles as long as they have a poetic or humorous element to them. I don't buy books for their covers, but I probably have bought books before just because the title was so cool I figured I'd have to like the writing within.
Unfortunately, the work of the semester has also hit big time. I've got a couple of research proposals on my desk to review, a student paper to edit, a set of tests to grade, a brief note I have to write for a scholarly journal, and a long scholarly book that I've been asked to review. Lana says we need to grocery shop too!
This is not to mention any pleasure reading of the books and stories I have loaded on my Kindle or sitting on my desk from blog friends like Patti, Oscar, Bernard, O'Neil, Sid, Chris, and plenty of others that I'd like to get read.
I never wonder where all the time goes. I know exactly where it goes.
By the way, I am getting ready to close my giveaway for Strange Worlds and will have the drawing this weekend. If you haven't yet entered, all you have to do is leave a comment on This Post
The Drawing will likely be held Sunday so today and Saturday it is still open.
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19 comments:
Charles, how do you think up story ideas? How do you know what the next story is going to be about? And how do you give shape to them? This might require a separate post so I look forward to your views either way. Thanks...
You certainly have your work cut out for you!
I feel your pain, brother. We're just getting started with our semester, but I've hardly slowed down to breathe this week. And the To Read list and the To Write list just keep growing.
The sky is always filled with the balls you throw up there. Keep them flying.
Prashant, I'll post about that. I do have some thoughts on the subject so I'll let you know when it is going to go up. Good questions.
Alex, indeed. I'm glad it's the weekend. a couple days without classes will help.
Keith, very few things seem to drop of the list, while many others are bobbing around trying to get on.
Patti, let's hope I don't forget a heavy one and have it crush me
no rest for the wicked ;) lol
Great titles Charles.
I like short, trong titles, or long, humorous ones, Something like "The Purple sword" and "Something Fun Happened on the way to Asgard"
To be a writer you have to be a bit of a crackpot according to William Saroyan and if that means a bit looney, I agree. I'm not calling you crazy, Charles, just that with all you have on your plate it seems a bit daft, if I may say so. But, of course that's what most writers seem to be, too, from my perspective and I guess I fit right in.
Interesting titles! Congrats on finishing the stories.
It sounds like you have an awful lot of work ahead of you.
Laughingwolf, I've decided I must indeed be wicked. Or so it seems. :)
David J., thankee.
Deka, a good short title can be grand if the word and words have resonance. Longer titles have more poetry, though.
Oscar, I sometimes wonder if I'm sane. Then I talk to other people adn realize I'm doing ok. :)
Golden eagle, and I don't want to do any of it.
I'm going crazy about all the things YOU need to do! I need to lie down just thinking about it!
Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
Grocery shopping? But why do that when ordering pizza takes care itself, no hassle and you usually get what you asked for...
Writing time on your schedule with that commute and the groceries too... That's awesome. It really is.
And finished work at that.
I got the beer book but it got d-loaded onto the old ladies kindle ...I think I let her read it on her flight to MA.
I hear you. Time is rapidly becoming my sole nemesis. :)
You do come up with some great titles. "A Mouth Wet With Rain and Leaves"...even though I'm not generally attracted to horror, that title is intriguing.
Cloudia, me too.
Eric1313, we do order pizza fairly regularly, but I actually can't eat it every day. I know, a weakness on my part.
Mark, lol. I hope she enjoys.
Bernardl, I need a time machine to make more time.
Tavis Cody, I love titles. I do say.
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