Anna

I came across this piece of writing advice by Sol Stein which appeals to me:

“….be sure you don’t stop the story while describing. You are a storyteller, not an interior decorator.”

Probably a shot across the bows of so-called literary prose. King likes to emphasize this point too, but doesn’t do it quite as succinctly.

I got long listed in the Crowvus Publishing Christmas ghost story comp. No publication but at least I know I’ve now got a half decent tale in the bag. And since mine’s wasn’t especially Christmassy, I’ve got an in for any spooky comps that crop up!

If this link works – I will be amazed at myself.

Crowvus

Well done, Raine.

That is fantastic news, Raine. Not that I’m at all surprised. Thank you for sharing!

Editing
“Listen to me, Luigi; we’re always on the lookout for new stage plays and this one sounded interesting. Ingenious plot, bit of sex, incest, prostitution, a potential murder and ending up with a suicide.” He put down the cigar he had been waving like a conductor’s baton and folded his hands on his expansive belly. “What’s not to like?”
“…[Read more]

Actually playing something like Freecell occupies the surface part of your brain and liberates the sub-conscious to do a lot of sorting out. Or something like that. My terminology is all wrong.

Sometimes what feels like procrastination is valuable thinking time…

Good point @Richardb about the guitar playing.

And @alainrain, I think we all struggle and procrastinate from time to time because writing can be tough.

Absolutely @raine. Where does the guilt come from? Because come it does. Every time someone asks me what I’m up to and I have to admit to spending most of my spare time writing but, no, it’s not published. And, yes, I have spent the last seven years doing this. I try to rationalise it by thinking of lots of perfectly acceptable but equally…[Read more]