Shorter Fiction is Where it's At

I'm getting to the end of "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt (I had to renew it from the library twice). What a story. It was also a lesson in good writing. The way she describes things intermixed with the dialogue really transports you. However, I'm learning that I prefer reading/writing shorter fiction--novellas and short novels, mostly. I like the pacing in shorter fiction. It's long enough to tell a fully realized story and create complex characters without getting bogged down in too many details. I like how shorter fiction also just...gets to the point.

What did you do last week?

• I became a member of Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group (GLVWG). They do these weekly critique groups on Zoom. You get about 12 minutes to read 500-700 words of your writing and the group will critique it on the spot. So far, I have read two excerpts from The In-Between and, each time, got really great feedback. Participating in these critiques has actively made my story better. It's also giving me experience with offering critique.

• I finished my first writing workshop with Timons Esaias, hosted by Flash Fiction Magazine. The information I learned in the workshop was practical and enlightening. I learned what some of my bad writing habits are, which is crucial.

• I finished the 2nd draft of my novelette, The In-Between!

What are you doing this week?

• This week, I will be working on the third draft of The In-Between. Yes, it needs more work. I'm going through a hard copy of it and making edits page-by-page with a pencil and eraser. I love going through it on paper...I feel like I can "see the story" better.

• I will be reading another excerpt from The In-Between in my critique group. One of the scenes where I hope to get feedback on creating tension.

• Next weekend, I will be meeting the Writers Group at one of the local libraries! I'm excited to meet everyone in person.