So I’m on a tiny hiatus with this blog. But not for long. I am working frantically on a new story, and also helping with a local political campaign. So this blog is a bit down on the to-do list, I’m afraid.
The story is for Storm Moon Press again, and their standard short story length is 10,000 to 20,000 words. This one is closing in on 20,000, but it needs serious editing so it’ll come in under the requirements when all is said and done.
But this is a “short” story that really wants to be a novel. So I’m struggling with the scope of the story — too many places? too many characters? How much world-building will give readers the flavor of the place these characters live, without overwhelming the plot or derailing the flow? I’m creating mythologies and even drinking songs for this piece, and I don’t quite know where it’s taking me.
(If you want a hint, this is a steam-punk inspired fantasy, which is a new type of setting for me. It’s a ton of fun to write. But it’s easy to get side-tracked researching the history of gas lighting, etc.)
But it’s a fun challenge. “Thicker than Blood” was a fully self-contained story with only a few characters and places to describe. This new story is sprawling, and whether I can rein it in before the deadline is up in the air at the moment.
Oh, and the deadline is Halloween. So I’m not panicking yet, but I may not make it this time. I’ll let you know!
So if you don’t see any more posts from me until mid-November, you know why. And don’t forget to vote!