Author: Claire

Goal Overload

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Writing is not my job; it’s my passion and my hobby.  Therefore, it should be enjoyable.  On the other hand, a type A person can’t help but apply type A attitudes even to hobbies.  What used to be a leisurely activity now has demands and goals and achievements and that’s not even factoring in the latest brouhaha’s in the writing world.

Just today, on my lunch break (still in progress), I mentally compiled a list of what I felt I needed to do.  Now, please don’t quote me the “don’t sweat the small stuff and it’s all small stuff” because I already know this.  It doesn’t seem to matter.  Here’s my list, not in order:

1.  Rewrite query for The Pure

2.  Edit The Pure (this one never seems to go away) to address my own findings and my Beta readers’ findings.

3.  Edit All’s Fair per Beta readers’ suggestions

4.  Beta read (got one in full swing, one on hold)

5.  Polish and submit short stories (Yes, plural)

6.  Write The Book Portal (my abandoned JaNoWriMo project)

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AW Flash Fiction– “Flood” — 1/24/10

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Flash Fiction = 90 minutes from reveal of the theme word (“flood”) until the story must be posted at AW.   This one rang in at 52 minutes but I admit that I don’t spend a lot of time editing so bear with the occasional punctuation and grammar gaffes.  I’ve cleaned it up from the AW version to make the story clearer.  From the comments I got, I could tell I was too cryptic in the original version.

This one’s a little sad.  Sorry.  😦

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“Hey Simon, it’s me, Elena. I thought I’d come talk to you about something.”

I looked up. The New Mexican sun beat down on me as I stood at the edge of the Rio Grande in the bosque. Around me, cottonwoods shed fluffy wisps of foliage that floated to the ground like summer snow. I wiped my brow with the hem of my shirt, adding more dingy streaks to the ones I’d created walking to this spot.

“I have some news. I’m getting married. I know I swore I’d never marry anyone but you so please don’t be angry with me. It’s just that…well, you know it’s been impossible between us for some time now and I feel like maybe I need to move on.” Continue reading →