I have a piece in for critique in my twice-monthly writing group. It’s a short piece, but I wanted something I could submit to journals/anthologies. Plus, it was easier to jump in and out of something new and exciting rather than work on a chapter of something longer.
I’ll admit it: I haven’t been writing much lately. I’ve fallen out of the habit of it, pretty much only taking the time when I have something up for critique. I do this knowing it gets harder to start again after a long break. I excuse it by saying life and my responsibilities as a husband and father make regular writing difficult if not impossible. But that’s a lie. Plenty of people have the same things or more pulling at their time, and they manage to get in the writing. So I should stop kidding myself and get down to business.
As happens, writing this piece, which was supposed to be all on its own, has made me wonder about expanding it into something more. I like the main character, and I’d be interested to explore more of her life, and the people in her sphere of influence.
I think it might be best to wait to see what my feedback is first, however. If I’ve overly estimated the appeal of the story, it would hurt all the more to have put a bunch of work into it for nothing. Besides, it’s the first week of summer break for my kids, and I’m going to an anime convention next weekend, and I just want to focus on that for a while. But I shouldn’t let that hold me back too much. Then I’ll end up believing the lie some more.
Also, since you’re here, you may have noticed some changes in the page design. I’m learning how to use widgets and other flairs to make this website more appealing. Feel free to let me know what you think, and also any strategies you might wish to share about keeping in the writing habit. Or you can tell me your favorite anime. I’d love to discuss that at length.
I like the widgets.
Time spent writing is never “nothing.”