Yes! I appreciate this perspective a lot and tend to think along the same lines. It’s fun when characters do something to turn the story on its head and land you (the writer) in an unexpected place.
You have to be true to the characters. If writers create interesting characters they'll write you a good story. They just need a crack to trip over or a pigeon to shit on em, but a good character will do most of the work.
You are so very welcome, Olga. Thank you for reading my story! I’m happy you liked it. Agreed! It’s fun to see how the characters guide the story and where things end up. Writing short fiction keeps my imagination alive. 😊
This story was nicely orchestrated. I love that you ended it with a very defined hopeful outlook 😁 As far as my process, no matter the length, I have to know my ending. Even if that ending is open to the reader's interpretation, I have to know that. I won't start writing otherwise.
Thank you, Brian! I appreciate it. Haha, I couldn’t mess with this poor couple any more than I already had. They deserved some happiness in the end. 😅
Your process makes perfect sense to me. I need to know the ending when I tackle lengthier projects. In fact, I typically outline the entire book chapter by chapter. I give myself permission to veer off course if it makes sense to. Things can sometimes change based on what the characters decide to do. But in this scenario - writing a book - I at least know the direction of the story and intended outcome. I tend to “shoot from the hip” with the short stuff. 😄
It's interesting because it sounds like I'm in the minority when it comes to the short stuff 😊 Maybe I should let a short story develop itself one time and see where it goes! Do you have any books out there published yet?
I honestly wasn’t expecting that at all! We’ll swap - I’ll outline one, ha! 😀 At the end of the day we just have to do what works best for us. All approaches are equally valid!
Nope, nada. Just a few manuscripts collecting dust. One of my goals is to self-publish a collection of my short fiction in the near future.
I used to write with a rigid plan, sometimes even an outline for short stories, articles, essays, etc. but soon learned the story’s gonna go where the story wants to go. I’m just the conduit. Idea flows to pen flows to paper.
Loved this one! So much conveyed in so little time. For my shorts I always go in blind and let the story take me where it will. I haven't written very many longer things, but I do like to have an ending in mind when tackling something longer.
A very big story on a very small page. You did it again, Justin, and you make it look so easy. But I know it is not easy. My fiction always starts with a character and a name - often from a photo. I never have any idea who they are or where they will go or what they want from me. They reveal themselves word by word. I always hope that at the end there will be a point, because so much in life seems to have no point at all. Sharron at LEAVES
Thank you, Sharron, for the kind words! You made my day! Your process sounds like a lot of fun and something I may try out down the line.
This may sound a little odd, but sometimes I watch people if I’m in a large crowd or just out in public. I like observing human behavior and imagining stories and scenarios. It’s a fun - and slightly strange - way to create characters and brainstorm ideas. As you have said before, stories are everywhere!
No! Not odd at all. I do it myself. The perfect example of a writer who can make up a story about any one he sees - the bank teller, the barista, the garage door salesman, the UBER driver is Michael Estrin at Situation Normal on substack. If he is not already on your favorites list, you might give him a try. Hilarious!
Beautifully stated. Agreed, you can only guide a story so far and for so long before it takes its own course. I think that’s the power and pure magic of writing!
I try to let the characters write the story for me. Sometimes I think " Bob is going to jail" and while I'm writing Bob finds a way to avoid jail
Yes! I appreciate this perspective a lot and tend to think along the same lines. It’s fun when characters do something to turn the story on its head and land you (the writer) in an unexpected place.
You have to be true to the characters. If writers create interesting characters they'll write you a good story. They just need a crack to trip over or a pigeon to shit on em, but a good character will do most of the work.
Agreed. Honestly it’s a big part of the reason why I enjoy your work so much. No matter the story, your characters are always memorable!
Thanks. I know tons of interesting people I snatch little traits from and then mix, match and alter.
Thank you for the read and glimpse at love. It's good to reaffirm forgiveness! I write without an end planned, the imagination has more fun this way!
You are so very welcome, Olga. Thank you for reading my story! I’m happy you liked it. Agreed! It’s fun to see how the characters guide the story and where things end up. Writing short fiction keeps my imagination alive. 😊
I always start writing with an outline and an ending, but sometimes the characters’ journey surprises me and I end up drifting from the original plan.
Yes, this is my exact process with lengthier works! Thanks for sharing, Geoffrey.
This story was nicely orchestrated. I love that you ended it with a very defined hopeful outlook 😁 As far as my process, no matter the length, I have to know my ending. Even if that ending is open to the reader's interpretation, I have to know that. I won't start writing otherwise.
Thank you, Brian! I appreciate it. Haha, I couldn’t mess with this poor couple any more than I already had. They deserved some happiness in the end. 😅
Your process makes perfect sense to me. I need to know the ending when I tackle lengthier projects. In fact, I typically outline the entire book chapter by chapter. I give myself permission to veer off course if it makes sense to. Things can sometimes change based on what the characters decide to do. But in this scenario - writing a book - I at least know the direction of the story and intended outcome. I tend to “shoot from the hip” with the short stuff. 😄
Thanks so much for sharing!
It's interesting because it sounds like I'm in the minority when it comes to the short stuff 😊 Maybe I should let a short story develop itself one time and see where it goes! Do you have any books out there published yet?
I honestly wasn’t expecting that at all! We’ll swap - I’ll outline one, ha! 😀 At the end of the day we just have to do what works best for us. All approaches are equally valid!
Nope, nada. Just a few manuscripts collecting dust. One of my goals is to self-publish a collection of my short fiction in the near future.
Awesome! Well, count me in on the buyer's list!
You’re too kind! Thanks, Brian!
I used to write with a rigid plan, sometimes even an outline for short stories, articles, essays, etc. but soon learned the story’s gonna go where the story wants to go. I’m just the conduit. Idea flows to pen flows to paper.
Loved this one! So much conveyed in so little time. For my shorts I always go in blind and let the story take me where it will. I haven't written very many longer things, but I do like to have an ending in mind when tackling something longer.
Thank you for the kind words and for reading my story, Claire! Yes, same here. It’s one of the reasons why I enjoy writing shorts so much!
A very big story on a very small page. You did it again, Justin, and you make it look so easy. But I know it is not easy. My fiction always starts with a character and a name - often from a photo. I never have any idea who they are or where they will go or what they want from me. They reveal themselves word by word. I always hope that at the end there will be a point, because so much in life seems to have no point at all. Sharron at LEAVES
Thank you, Sharron, for the kind words! You made my day! Your process sounds like a lot of fun and something I may try out down the line.
This may sound a little odd, but sometimes I watch people if I’m in a large crowd or just out in public. I like observing human behavior and imagining stories and scenarios. It’s a fun - and slightly strange - way to create characters and brainstorm ideas. As you have said before, stories are everywhere!
No! Not odd at all. I do it myself. The perfect example of a writer who can make up a story about any one he sees - the bank teller, the barista, the garage door salesman, the UBER driver is Michael Estrin at Situation Normal on substack. If he is not already on your favorites list, you might give him a try. Hilarious!
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve heard/seen his name, but haven’t read any of his work. I’ll have to check out his stuff. Thanks, Sharron!
Beautifully stated. Agreed, you can only guide a story so far and for so long before it takes its own course. I think that’s the power and pure magic of writing!