The Shortest Time by Allison Symes

Image Credit:  Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

It is ironic the longest month ever, January, is followed by the shortest, February. Writing wise, it gives me the shortest time to prepare my next author newsletter, due in March, but I discovered long ago the joys of drafting in advance so I add to my draft as the month goes on. I do likewise for my blogs and articles. It takes the pressure off.

 

I enter a number of reputable flash fiction and short story competitions in the year. It’s fun to do and a great challenge (and I always look for those where it is free or the fee is reasonable). 

 

I’ve found it useful to take a week off any official deadline and make that the day I submit my entry. I pencil into my diary when I need to have my first draft done by, my first edit, my second one, and the final one to check for those pesky typos which have escaped the previous edits. I wish I could say there weren’t any but I’ve found it pays to assume there will be and if I’m wrong I still win!

 

All of that gives me plenty of time to meet any deadline. Setting my own deadline gives me time in hand if life gets in the way as it can do, or if I suddenly spot an error or realise there is something I could do better, both of which have happened. What I’ve avoided is the last minute panic of getting something in, which I welcome.

I have certain days with various commitments so I know I will have less writing time. I use those days to write bits and pieces and/or get some writing admin out of the way. It’s a question of making the most of what you have time wise and when. Some forward thinking on my part has helped here. Time might be short for writing but I can still do something.

With my flash fiction, I have to give my characters the shortest time (in terms of word count) in which to resolve their problems but that increases the tension for them. It also makes me focus on what matters for them and the story. There is no room for anything else so short time here helps with my focus.

 

Characters and how they respond to time pressure can be an enjoyable source of story ideas. Who will handle this well or badly? What are the consequences? All worth exploring.

It also appears to me it takes the shortest time imaginable for the latest book club/writing support scam to be doing the rounds. 

I have had several recently though I’ve had to smile at some of the latest ones to hit my inbox. Yes, they’ve got the book title right that I’m in or I have written but they’ve addressed me by almost every name under the sun except my own. An easy delete there then, which takes no time at all!