Please advise me.

For the last year or so I've been drafting a novel. Now it's sealed in a demijohn, down in the cellar, fermenting. I plan to taste it again in February, maybe even bottle it. In the meantime, I'm churning out a bunch of short stories. They usually seem to come out between 600 and 1,800 words. Should I join a short story group or a flash fiction group? Or just give up?

Thanks.

~Rod.

If you bottle it, I'll bottle you!
Why don't you join both?
And meanwhile, start submitting 'em.
Susiex

I've just checked in the Flash group, and the majority of the posts are coming out at under 600 words, with a couple at under 1000, so you could post your <1000 word pieces there if no-one raises any objections with regards to critting length.

If it's over 1000 words I'd put it in one of the Short Story groups.


- NaomiM

Susie,

You are lovely! (And I've never before said that to anyone that just threatened to glass me)

Why don't you join both?

Because I'm running out of points before I reach my self-imposed ban at exactly 1,000 WW frequent flyer miles.

And meanwhile, start submitting 'em.

It's true that the one time I took your advice (in June) it turned out oddly well. For that I am forever in your debt. However, I have thought of a sure-fire way never to be rejected by a single agent or publisher.

And thanks to you too, NaomiM. Sound help as ever.

~Rod.

For that I am forever in your debt

.
No, from that you learned that your writing is good and should be submitted.
(Hmm, I'm beginning to see what my little brother means when he says: 'You're always telling people what to DO!'
Bossy-boots
X

If you're worried about points, then join one of the Short Story groups as they allow a much wider word count range.

Naomi.

I had a really selfish thought: if you join the flash group you have less to read when critting. I'm ashamed of that. In penitence I went and cleaned the downstairs loo. Everything, on hands and knees, arms down the bowl, round behind the toilet. My girlfriend's gonna love me tonight!

In penitence I went and cleaned the downstairs loo. Everything, on hands and knees, arms down the bowl, round behind the toilet.

The things we do to avoid writing!
Susiex

I had a really selfish thought: if you join the flash group you have less to read when critting

Ah, but the flash guys n' gals have all the writing competitions, so that'll push you towards your limit at a greatly increased rate of knots.

I hoovered the stairs: It wasn't particularly inspiring However, then I ordered a make-your-own tailored shirt for hubby, online, and that was fun in a perverse sort of way.


- NaomiM

You're wrong about less to crit Rod. Those flash fictionites are prolific. The pace in short story was much slower when I was in both (but quieter too, if you're looking for feedback.)

Thanks cherys,

I had a quick rootle about and think I'll go for short story. The pieces in flash are generally shorter than mine. Of course, you have to put your name down at birth to get into Becca's group.

On another note, I just had a look round some other writing websites, looking out for competitions. What I learnt was that the standards on WW are much higher than in some other places. That's the polite way to express it.

~Rod.

Rod,

This is the best list of current competitions that I've found:

http://www.prizemagic.co.uk/html/writing_comps.htm

Susiex

Susie,

Thanks so much. At the rate I'm emitting them I should be able to enter all of those. I laughed at the one that says the prize is a closely guarded secret. Will have a proper look through it tomorrow - better than cleaning toilets.

~Rod.

Rod, generally short story word limits for comps are around 2000-2500 mark.

Of course, you have to put your name down at birth to get into Becca's group

As of today there is one spare place- but it's true we could really do with cloning Becca.

Thanks very much, Anna.

I hope I've nabbed the place.

Interesting, about the word limits. I recently read the report from the Bridport judge (well done, again!) and she mentioned that they get zillions of entries that claim a wordcount of 4,999 and actually spill over.

Just because there is a limit of 5000 words for the Bridport Prize, you don’t have to meet it. Is that length the right length for the story you are writing? If not – cut!

Given the tedium of judging these things, I am taking a strategic view that less might be more. My own small success recently was well below the word limit.

~Rod.