Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
I work best to deadlines. I’m more productive with my writing when challenged.
In recent weeks, I’ve been getting comfortable again with creating short stories. Sitting down and not getting back up until I’ve neatly captured a story. Start, middle and end. It gives me a real sense of achievement. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been out of the game for too long, at least as far as novel writing goes.
I have the fitness and interest in shorter sprints. Not quite there when it comes to full marathons.
For that reason, I’m going to embark on an ambitious project which will help build writing momentum. Years of atrophied and flabby muscle needs to be sharpened, if I have any ambition to write more novels.
I’ve been inspired by reading more short story fiction in recent months by both Roald Dahl and Richard Matheson – masters of their craft. While I can only aspire to reach those heights, I love the idea of creating a collection of short stories – quick reads where readers can dip in and out, like jumping into a cold stream, and come back out refreshed. I think there’s something to be said for people’s attention span, where they are not necessarily ready to commit to a 100,000 word novel, but happy to read something on their work commute or lunch break.
But, truth be told, I’m doing this all for myself.
I want to test myself. Push new creative boundaries. Instil discipline, day in, day out to commit to putting words on the page.
What are my ambitions for this project?
- Build a daily habit of writing again.
- Create a paperback book of 52 stories.
- Entertain current and new readers
So, starting on May 1st 2025, I will be releasing 1 short story every week for 52 weeks. The stories will range between 1,000 – 3,000 words. They will be published for free on my blog, every Thursday. I am integrating a ratings system which will make it easy for me to collect feedback and, at a future date, order them according to ranking.
I’m a bit nervous, anxious but excited at the scale of the challenge. And those are all the right emotions. There will always be doubts – what author doesn’t have them? – but I’m hoping that this project will unlock something in me, and hopefully inspire and entertain readers.
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