These days, I’m rebuilding my writer’s strength. I’ve come up with some short stories and am hard at work to get things written. When I first arrived on Substack, I’d written about 7 drafts of a 500+ paged novel. It’s safe to say that my tolerance was high. I’ve gone a good while without that sort of time.
Poems and quick stories like Ætheldred the Burning Queen, Barrow-Bound, and Beasts of Air (the latter two written and scheduled for next week), are all exercises to get the blood flowing. I can feel myself grow more confident with each completion—like my mind is coming alive again. Music is entering that part of my brain that was rusted over.
You know when you’re sitting at your desk and the light goes grey and dark? The trees start to sway. The wind picks up. In your office or room, the temperature errs just slightly chilly so that you have to wear a sweater. The coffee is strong and hot. Your laptop is fully charged and there’s an album that sends goosebumps up your arm.
Perfect writing conditions.
I wish that for you!
Anyway, these short story exercises have been so incredibly helpful to me that I want to try and pass this on to any writer that is in the same boat.
I offer some “seeds”. These little stories need not be more than 10,000 words. Build this one line into any genre you’d like. If you use it, I’d love to share it!
Here’s the first of many:
Every night, a lantern drifts across the frozen lake, but no footprints lead to or from it.
I would love to share these maybe once a month.
Good luck, all! Happy writing.
I love this idea. Both the idea of sharing prompts and the specific prompt you shared.