Under a Violet Moon

How is it that I find a short story more daunting to plan out and write than a novel?! Despite setting myself the task of completing one of the former, I'm finding it pushes me towards working on my novel because I get so frustrated with the limits of the format. But it feels strange to call my story a novel, because although it has a coherent plot and solid characters (I hope...) everything is still in fragments.

Maybe the problem is that I try to be too ambitious in short stories. Perhaps being a little more realistic would allow me to get on and finish a short story instead of running back to my bits and pieces of something bigger.

Although I was extremely disappointed that a book I was eagerly anticipating has been delayed once again, I found something rather interesting at Borders' enquiries desk this week. A leaflet provided information on a writing group of sorts that meets at the store bi-monthly. And rather than reading work by its members and discussing pieces or offering critique, it's more an informal chat about everything pertaining to writing. Much more my thing. So I decided to go along today and see how it pans out.

I'm pleasantly surprised, but I come away feeling like this rather a lot. I'm a firm believer of the idea that if you have no expectations, you don't end up disappointed. There were plenty of enlightening discussions (especially for a young and unexperienced writer like myself) and everyone was lovely - very friendly and easy to talk to. I was made aware of a vast network of other writing groups and societies, many of which had a more specific focus, such as for women's writing. I've also got a lot of information about writing competitions in the immediate and near future, which should help stave off the summer boredom.

Most important of all...I came away feeling just as excited and enthusiastic about writing as when I first started!

And one more piece of good news...I won a copy of the Writer's Handbook 2010 from CompletelyNovel.com!