Mighty Than the Sword

Image: Design Age

Allowing the end of summer to spin off to a memory, I must tell the truth I haven't been slaying many dragons with my pen or keyboard as of late. I've had a fantastic summer reading, writing short stories, and having adventures that will brew new ideas for stories to tell. Living in the world, staying connected to events, and having new experiences is an important aspect of being a writer.  Is this all just an excuse for not writing enough? Yes, but the summer was so sweet I couldn't resist. I'm finishing up a third short story today and starting a fourth. It seems in no time I just might have a collection of short stories. Some of the things that have influenced me include the Thriller 2 in paperback.

Image: Crime Fiction Dossier. Pick up a Copy via Amazon

I also picked up several back issues of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine circa 1992. I love flipping through older issues.

Image: Antiqbook 

Last but not least, the news. Isn't life full of enough gore to make a person wonder who their next door neighbor really is?

Not much Time for Writing other than a few Short Stories

It has been an amazing start to the month of June. I wrote two new short stories. "Survival" is a short story written about one father's attempt to survive a murderous coincidence and a manipulative family. The other short story is something I enjoyed writing so much that I might turn it into a screenplay or novel. I'm not sure yet, but in anycase...I'm not sharing much about it. I had a blast writing them and really enjoyed the final results. I plan to submit my short stories for publication and I'll keep you posted on when it'll happen.

{image via Pitt County Film Still of To Kill a Mockingbird}

As for the novel, I'm aiming to kill it with a series of intense writing sessions. It seems that every time I get deeply involved with my novel that something throws me a wrench. This time I am pointing  my finger at my husband having two weeks off from work. But, isn't it ironic that I always quick to point out something else or someone else as blocking my writing instead looking closely at myself?

I'm a big believer in self-accountability. I know that I'm responsible for my own self progress. However, I also believe that the creative process can be like giving birth. Perhaps, I need some time from the novel to get a clear perspective. I'm not going to brow beat myself or anything else. I'm just going to accept things and move forward. Isn't that all the choice we truly have anyhow?