I did write something for a flash. It didn't come out so well--it was too large a story for the time and the constraints of the flash, but I really liked it. One of the guys who critiques (these are critiqued, mostly, I think, to show they were read) likes to say, "I like this--" and go on, but he mostly says, "I don't like this--" for everyone's story.

Well, no duh! It's actually a stupid thing to say; mostly, even the authors don't like them all that much. Still, though, there's great potential, just in that little thing.

Anyway, after a time or two of where the recipient is upset, you literally don't pay attention to what he says. It's like using a mallet swatter on a fly, and you just think, Oh, well. Fortunately for him, he's very good at these flashes, so he doesn't get the experience the joy .

I've been working on improving my writing and getting stronger. I don't know that I'll ever make it past the vignette-type stories. This might be one of my writerly quests, but I think that's all right.

I really have been through it these past few weeks, but in a good, great, marvelous way. Not a publishing way, but in a rejection way .

The first one is a story that I sent to ClarkesWorld, and the editor sent back a lovely critique about the writing being good (!), but that he wanted more story, and gave examples of what he meant--really, really nice.

Then I got another rejection from WotF (Writers of the Future), saying that I was a semi-finalist, but I got a critique, a wonderful critique. The writing's good (!), but that the story was lacking a plot. In her opinion, I wrote a vignette. And she also had a lot of wonderful things about all the surrounding stuff, not plot, but you know...?! Again, wonderful.

I understand what they mean, or I think I do, but darned if I know what to do about it. So I got a book called Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell, and it's all very interesting. I've seen a lot of this stuff before, but hadn't really applied it to me. It's all so much.

I'm just reading the through right now, then I think I'm going to read it again, marking and bookmarking what I need, and then I'm going to record the parts that I'm weak in and just listen to it.

A lot of people (my critique group) on my main blog seem to think that this is going to mess up my stories as they are, which they apparently like this way. But even while they say this, I read their critiques, and there is something lacking. I don't think it's very much or very big--I'm not likely to turn my stories into ax-murdering rampages or anything , but the way I look at it, when two, two! very knowledgeable people say that my stories need more story, isn't it smart to listen!?

I haven't said that to them, yet. They're so busy cautioning me, and I know that this comes from a good place, but I do need to look into this. Not wildly or out of tune with my own work, but in an, "I'm learning!" sort of way.

I'm also going to flash again this weekend, just to write something new and get my thoughts away from this and rest for a bit. I haven't written anything new since June, so I think it's time!

At writing group, I was griping about how terribly long it's taking to get these stories finished. One of the ladies says, "It's called editing! Put on your big-girl panties and get it done."

People are so funny! But she really is right. I'm finishing one of them today and sending it out tomorrow. I don't care, I'm just reaching for the big-girl panties!

I got a rejection for Cowboys, but it had a lot of great comments to go with it. What a thing; he must get a hundred subs a day, and that he commented is amazing. Even if he comments on everyone, I still feel that it's extremely generous of him.

I've got it packaged up to send out again. He had some great comments and suggestions, but the story does have a flaw that he didn't say. I'm still sending it out. I feel, in a funny way, that even if my stories have flaws, they have good things, too. By sending them out, I'm developing that habit and drive.

Baby steps first, you know? And over time, who knows. We'll see.

I put a story up at the Critique Circle, Three Cowboys, and it came out okay. I've now got all the edits in and am working on making the story really nice and shiny. I'd like to send it out by Monday, if possible, and get another story ready to go up on the site, too.

I actually have it re-edited, but would like to look it over. I also have a story to critique for someone else, today, if not one or two others. Anyway, busy, busy!

(later) Whew, edits are in, and it's looking good. I have a few things to look up in the encyclopedia, but I like it!