I am notorious for starting projects and not finishing them. There are half a dozen unfinished novels on my computer and about 30 short stories that never survived past the first draft. But I feel my current WIP is different. I’m 3 months into it and I’m even more enthusiastic about it than when I started. I reckon it will take about 4 more months to complete; I just need to maintain my momentum.

Stories From the Infinite City

It’s been a semi-productive month for my collection. I’ve completed the majority of the worldbuilding required. The rest of it can be added as I start the outlining process. I would say the biggest accomplishment, however, was establishing the Table of Contents.

It seems each month I give you a different number of stories in the collection. Now, it’s set in “stone.” Here’s what it will look like:

• 2 novelettes
• 7 short stories
• 3 flash fiction pieces

All the above have been fleshed out to some degree. Rather than the plot, I’m focusing on the characters first. I can’t wait to tell their stories.

As I mentioned last time, one novelette is already written. I have since completed one of the flash fiction pieces as well. Both were written without outlines—I was too eager to write them—but the rest will be thoroughly planned.

I’m starting the first short story of the collection next week. I’ve decided to write the rest of them chronologically to avoid problems with continuity, after all, each story feeds off the one before it.

I’m aiming to have a completed product by February. I’ve already talked to my editor about the project, and he’s given me some invaluable advice. He also pointed out the difficulty of submitting a collection with no prior book-length publications under my belt. I expected this to some degree. Once I finish it, though, I may need to shelve it until my first novella is published.

Wonderland Awards

A week ago, I attended the annual event for the Wonderland Awards (known affectionately as Bizarro Con Jr.) These are some of my favorite people on the planet. Of the 25 attendees, I knew 24 of them and got to know the 25th.

I had some enlightening conversations about writing, watched some great short films and performances, and experienced that wonderful feeling of being part of a community. It was the most fun I’ve had all year.

Submissions

I should hear back from the two of anthologies I submitted to sometime in the next week or so. I’m optimistic, but at the same time realistic. One of the anthologies had over 300 submissions. Even though my submitted story was one of my favorites, those odds are very much against me. I was hoping to have some announcement—whether positive or negative—to share with you this month, but that will have to wait for another post.

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I’ll keep chugging along, putting in the effort but not pushing myself too hard. That—I discovered—is my recipe for success.

Tchau,

Zé