July Short Story Challenge

So how did you do? I have got 2 flash fictions completed - but they still do need editing, so not quite ready for submission stage yet. From next month, I am going to change "Short Story Challenge" into "Word Count Challenge" I have noticed that quite a few of us are focusing on our books rather than spending a lot of time on short stories. So if we do a word-count challenge then we can write what we want, and still participate and hopefully succeed in the challenge. So any suggestions as to how many words per month we should make it? Come on, be ambitious - but realistic and give me some numbers that you would like to aim for.

June 2009 - Short Story Challenge

So how are you doing with the June challenge? With barely two weeks left to me in the month, I am still at the idea stage. So let's what I can do in the next couple of days. But at least the idea is there. I have more hopes for July challenge. How is your progress?

May Short Story Challenge - Are You Done?

May is almost at an end. Our very first Short Story Challenge month. Have you finished your story? I just finished mine, and didn't send it to an editor, but did send it to a tutor. My story is women's fiction about three sisters. Come on guys, post your progress, frustrations, achievements.

Short Story Challenge - Challenging

I never lack ideas, so it should have been easy. Unfortunately, I was supposed to write about something particular. I had to write a short story about "green issue." Now, I am all for saving the environment, but it's not the issue I would want to read or write fiction about. I know people write fiction for many reasons, but I have a simple reason.

Fiction = Fun

Green Issues = Not Fun

But I tried. I wasted over a week coming up with different ideas. But none of them were strong enough to turn into a story, and I think it's more because I don't want to write it that I just don't feel strongly enough about those ideas. So finally got sick of it, and emailed my tutor to ask if I can write about something else.

So I shall be starting my challenge work from scratch.

How are you guys progressing?

How do you approach your short story?

What do you start with? With characters, a setting, an event? There is no method to my madness. If I am writing a short story for an assignment then I may have a particular criteria to meet, like a character or a setting. But if I am starting a story completely for myself then I usually start with whatever comes into my head. Character - often I have started with a name, or simply a situation a character is in. For example, a man who has lost the love of his life. Then from then, I brainstorm and story develops. Setting - this I almost never do by choice, because for me it is the hardest. I create stories from people, to start with setting and find people to fit in it is like buying a house then forcing yourself to adjust to its style. Event - this also works for me. Something happens ...like someone dies. There is the major event, then characters are created who can react to it. How do you start yours? Have you already started it for the short story challenge?

May 2009 - Short Story Challenge

Welcome to the first short story challenge. Let's all work together and make this a success, so we can have many more challenges, and hopefully have the pleasure of seeing our work published at some point.

Reminder of main points:

• This is a monthly challenge, beginning on May 1st and ending on May 31st
• Please post your progress, or if you finish the story, let us know that you have finished it. How many words, any details you like to share, and whether you have submitted it or not.
• There are no rules. You can write what you want, and submit if/when you want to a publication of your choice.
• The purpose of doing this challenge together is purely to motivate one another to write something regularly, and finish it.

Few people have asked about writing prompt/theme. Each month, I will post three prompts/themes that you can use for your story if you wish. That's purely optional, meant for people who may be bit stuck for ideas.

May 2009: Themes/Prompts

• May day - write a story where May day celerabtion plays a central part
• Write a story which has three main characters - two men and a woman
• Write a story set in a country estate

Short Story Challenge - Further Details

I am delighted to say that the interest shown has far exceeded my expectations. But with interest, there are also some questions. So I will explain my view of the challenge here:

• It will be a monthly challenge. Beginning on 1st day of every month and ending on the last. You are encouraged to start on the 1st, but if you are super-fast story writer, you can start any time.
• The purpose is to have one story completed, revised, editted and ideally submitted by the end of the month.
• Submission - you don't have to post your story here, or on any blog or online. The submission refers to actual paying publications.
• The purpose behind the monthly challenge is that if we write and submit one story per month, we increase our chances of having fiction published greatly. Regardless of what other writing you do or don't do, you know that every month you will have one thing to send to an editor.
• To participate and encourage - post comments on the beginning of the month in the challenge post (I will put one up every month), say you have started, give some details if you like. You can mention your progress, encourage others. If you finish it let us know.
• For those who would like to be encouraged on their own blog, just put a challenge post on your own blog, and leave the link in my comments section so anyone who wishes to come and encourage you, can easily find you.

P.S: Those who have recently signed up, I will add your names to the participants list shortly.

Short Story Challenge

I am thinking about starting a short story challenge - one story to write and submit per month. It would be great if anyone else is interested, then we can push and prod each other, and hopefully accomplish at least one story a month. While my goal, like most other newbie writers is to write novels, but in recent practice with short stories I definitely feel that it offers great advantage of learning to write tight. The things you learn through short stories, can make a better novel. Besides, there is the side bonus of having something to submit regularly - and therefore, increasing the chances of acceptance and being a published fiction writer. I hope it's tempting enough for some of you... so come on...it'll be fun... Challenge starting from May 1 I am adding names and links of participants in a widget to the right. You have to meet the challenge monthly to keep your blog link and name in there. Hope little advertising is a slight motivation. ;) If you want to join the challenge, tell me in a comment below so I can add your name, and don't forget to check back on 1st of May.