Thought I’d make some posts about my personal writing process. No idea if this is interesting, but maybe it will be to some people. I’ll start with wordcount and length for short stories.
When I draft a short story, I write to whatever length it needs to be. Usually I know this after the first scene; I can estimate within 1k words what the length will be. That’s from experience; my estimates keep improving over time. It’s a useful skill. There’s no way to teach this. You just have to practice a lot.
I have three approximate lengths for my short stories, not counting flash fiction. Short = 2k-3k. Medium = 3.5k-4.5k. Long = 5k-6k. After the first scene is drafted, I generally know if the story will be short, medium, or long. My stories tend to cluster at the centerpoints of those ranges. 2.5k, 4k, and 5.5k. Scenes are usually 800-1200 words.
4k is the most common length for me. A few years ago, I averaged 5k. Then I dropped to 4.5k. Now I’m at 4k. The difference is that I’m telling the same stories in fewer words. My writing has become leaner, thanks in part to The 10% Solution by Ken Rand. (The webpage is a useful start–but I think serious writers should read the whole book.)
It also means that when I critique a story in a workshop, I can tell the writer, “I think you have only 4k worth of story here,” when they’ve written it in 6k. Or the less common, “You’ll need 7k to deal with this idea,” when they’ve written 3k. Most newer writers have too many words in proportion to their content. So it’s not bad to say “this is only a 4k idea.” Some ideas simply require more development than others. Like gemstones, ideas sparkle most in a properly-sized setting.
As for the actual writing–once I have an idea what I’m getting into, then I just write and don’t worry about the wordcount (aside from using it for motivation, like “I can stop when Word tells me I’ve hit 3k”). I am rarely wrong about the approximate length. Even if I have no idea what the events are, or how the story ends.
Next writing process topic: revisions. (Is there anything particular you’d like to know about my writing process? Tell me in comments.)
Dear Internet,
A while ago, I read a website where an author talked about her fanfic policy, as it relates to her books. I’m 90% sure it was a female fantasy writer, and a name I knew. I can’t recall who she is nor find her on Google.
The policy went approximately like this. She said: “Before you write fanfic of my work, I need you to download a form from my site, fill it out, and mail it to me.”
She had the form online to look at. It basically said, “Don’t make money from this, please give me credit for creating the world, and understand that I won’t read any of it (in order to protect myself).” Once a person sent her the form, they had free rein to write as much fanfic as they liked.
Does anyone know who this is, and can you help me find this page?
(Let’s refrain from discussing the actual policy until we find the page. My summary might be incomplete or inaccurate.)
Any help appreciated. Signal boost welcomed.
ETA: It’s not this one from Mercedes Lackey. The content is less of a contract, and more of a written confirmation that the fanfic writer understands the “rules”.
BP Spills Coffee. Watch them clean up the mess!
Work-safe aside from some swearing.
1. Some people in the world have a great deal more privilege than others. This is a fact.
2. I’m privileged in some ways and not in others. In areas where I’m privileged, I have a responsibility to confront that privilege. I must work to understand it, break it down, and share it with others. All of this work must be done while listening to non-privileged individuals and learning what actions are necessary for me to support them.
3. I will continue to write diverse characters in my stories, including characters of color and disabled characters. I can’t promise to always get it right, but I do promise to strive for accuracy, honesty, and realism. Which leads to number 4…
4. If I fail, I want to hear about it. (Privately is appreciated, unless the fail was spectacular). I will listen and learn to the best of my ability. If a public apology is due, I will make one–and I will be sincere.
5. I can’t change the world, but I can change myself–and if enough people change themselves, the world will change.
SIX NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Vylar
2. Vy
3. Vylarbeans (Shannon only)
4. Kitty
5. Muppet wrangler
6. Fireman-princess-veterinarian (okay, that’s technically my job title)
THREE THINGS YOU ARE WEARING RIGHT NOW:
1. Pajamas
2. Left sock
3. Right sock (but on which foot??)
THREE THINGS YOU WANT VERY BADLY AT THE MOMENT
1. …
2. …
3. …it’s been a good day. I can’t think of anything. The oil spill should magically disappear and all the damage be undone?
THREE THINGS YOU DID LAST NIGHT
1. RAAR! Arkham Horror, the board game.
2. Talked with wild_irises at length. Yay!
3. Watched Law & Order: Criminal Intent on Netflix streaming.
THREE PEOPLE YOU LAST TALKED TO ON THE PHONE: (I’m counting texts)
1. ombriel
2. dancingsinging
3. meej
THREE THINGS YOU ARE GOING TO DO TOMORROW:
1. Critique a short story
2. Get maintenance to fix the AC
3. Laundry
THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE DRINKS:
1. Water
2. Dessert wine
3. Apple-grape juice
THREE THINGS THAT MADE YOU SMILE TODAY:
1. Jim Henson’s “The Storyteller” where they use the dog’s ears to card wool.
2. meej’s bewilderment at the strange moonbeast which lives by my door, known as Meh.
3. Finally understanding bathroom etiquette in Antarctica. See, penguins can have unisex bathrooms. Because all the male penguins are together and the female penguins are together somewhere else (except while breeding). The sign on the door can just be a penguin and they only need the one bathroom.
“I’m an exoskeleton for coffee so it can explore the world.”
June 13, 2010 3:19 pm | 
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