Feb. 17, 2025
What has been the hardest format to write in for you?
Feb. 17, 2025
What has been the hardest format to write in for you?
I broke my writing teeth on historical essays.
Sure, they were for school projects. An essay on Molly Pitcher that won an award from the local Daughters of The American Revolution. A young teen’s understanding of the Mafia. Another one about the Gulf of Tonkin.
But until I immersed myself in writing poetry, I didn’t feel like I was writing for myself. I played with many forms, but found my voice in free form. It nurtured me for many years.
Eventually, I found my way into writing fiction. I’ve told that story on my blog before, so I won’t repeat myself now and bore you. My effort to integrate poetry into my stories didn’t go well, but, now and then, I slip in a phrase that “sings.”
But then I decided to try my hand at a short story.
It would be a reader magnet, the pundits degreed, a way to draw new people to my books. So, I wrote a story about the initial meeting of Harmony and Jake. It was supposed to be from Jake’s point of view, but he wouldn’t cooperate, and it ended up being from Harmony’s. Long story short, it didn’t work. (But I ended up using part of that work when I wrote The Fall of Jake Hennessey, which was from Jake’s viewpoint.)
But it wasn’t easy. Short stories were a new format to me. I’ve written several since then, two for collaborative efforts with other authors. (Those collections are no longer available, but the stories are hosted on this website.) What the experience taught me was how hard it is to write short stories.
I’ve never written epic-length books. The longest one I’ve published in The Ranger’s Dog Tags, which is just over 90,000 words. But trying to fit a complete story into 10,000 words has taken me as long to accomplish as finishing a whole book. After all, a short story had all the same elements – setting, plot, characters, conflict, theme. Fitting them all in is tough.
But I’ve committed to another one, this time for an anthology to support K9s for Warriors. I’ve started it, but am putting too much effort and too many into the setting. (I think.) It might work for a full book, but I need to tighten it to fit the short story format. The plot I’ve envisioned needs tightened, too.
At least I’m aware of my weaknesses.
In writing, anyway. Like I can’t write a decent romance, but that’s a different discussion.
What format is the hardest for the other authors on this hop to write? Find out by following the links to their blogs below. (Remember, most links will be posted throughout the day on Mondays.)
As always, until next time, please stay safe.
Rules:
Everything I write starts out as a short story. Some stop there, others just keep on going.
I often worry about making to 50,000 words, but once I get there, I may have a hard time stopping!
Short stories are challenging. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Yes, they are.
Difficult to write formats ?
You mean, after poetry, sci–fi-, fantasy and westerns ? Probably a decent romance, so much harder than it looks, though ‘ Reader, I married him’ Charlotte might be teasing her readers.
She did call her notorious Byronic hero Rochester….
I have problems with romance as well. I can write a romantic subplot, but not a a genre romance.
I used to try short stories, but I just could not stop going. lol I gave in. I tell myself the same: can’t be good at everything.
Getting everything you want to sat in a short format can be tough.