It’s been a while since I’ve made contact with my readers via the ether. The last couple of years have been–demanding–to say the least. So when the choice is between using my energy to connect online, or using my energy to connect via my writing craft. I use my energy to connect with craft.
I value my readers too highly to give them less than my best, and to do less than try to better my best. So practicing craft is a priority, and I pray we can connect through the stories. That is a big reason I love writing. Stories have a way of connecting people through space and time.
But I’m rambling. I didn’t come here to philosophize. I came here to check in and give you an update.
January 2023 – January 2024 I did The Great Short Story Challenge administered by Dean Wesley Smith and WMG Publishing. It was great! I wrote a short story a week for 52 weeks in a row. Those stories are what I send out each month to my email list. (If you are on the email list and noticed I missed November, my apologies, I sent it out today to appease you, my readers).
The Challenge kept me committed to writing regularly and created a sense of accountability. I didn’t realize how important that feeling of accountability was until a couple months after I completed the challenge.
I jumped into finishing the fourth novel in The Lodestone Chronicles (check out the series page on Amazon) immediately upon finishing the challenge. But when I completed the manuscript and sent it to the editor I was left adrift. I hadn’t committed myself to another project or challenge–so I quit writing regularly.
In August I decided to take a Depth in Writing online workshop (again administered by Dean Wesley Smith at WMG Publishing). I enjoyed the learning experience and saw how I could push myself to take my writing to a whole new level. Feeling motivated to keep improving that way, but unsure of how to hold myself accountable (turns out I’m an external motivation kinda gal) I was excited when Dean Wesley Smith’s wife (also a professional writer) offered a writing mentorship.
That began in November and has been great! I sent her an introduction letter about myself and my writing and she sends me prompts every two weeks tailored to my strengths and weaknesses to help me grow my craft.
The first prompt challenged me to write a scene about a character in a coffee shop under gunfire. While I had a good idea in my head what I wanted the story to be it definitely didn’t turn out as I wanted–but that’s why writers must practice!
So I sent it in and she told me what I should work on next and gave me my new prompt. She also asked me to watch a movie called Deathtrap–fascinating movie (albeit strange). Today I sent the story based off the new prompt to her.
I was to write about a woman getting caught in a snowstorm while hiking. She had to get back to her car. The story that took shape was full of grief and desperation–I didn’t expect that. Normally I love to write stories about strong warrior-like characters going on adventures or getting themselves out of dire situations.
I titled the story The White Screen–perhaps it will show up as a free read in your inbox some day. It can’t if you haven’t signed up for my emails yet though, so you better do that now! 😉
As an aside, for anyone that wants to be a writer, or is a writer that wants to improve their craft or up their wordcount–Dean Wesley Smith is a fount of writing and publishing expertise. He has Youtube videos, books, blogposts, and courses that can help you up your game as a writer!
I will check in more often from now on. Until then I hope life is full of Friends, Adventure, and Unlocking New Worlds!
~ J.B. Wagner