Many writers are meant for writing short stories. It is their forte. But can it be for everybody?
When I started out, back in the day, I joined a writing group and that is all I did, (short story writing), or even thought about doing. If I managed to create a piece that I actually liked, and didn't apologise for profusely prior to reading it to the group, then I was happy. Oh, the apology thing? The explanation, the excuse about lack of time to proof read, the apologies for any language that might offend - I still do that.
Somewhere along the way, several groups and anthologies later, and having listened to hundreds of excellently crafted short stories, I suddenly stopped writing. It was as if my characters refused to be constrained. There was so much they wanted to say, and I just didn't have the experience or the confidence to let them. One could say, that perhaps my power over them, was the only bit of control I had. However, when you are meant to write, no amount of impediments, or life constraints, will stop it happening.
For me, it was when I came through the tunnel of further education, and held those pieces of paper (because that's all those certificates are) that I felt I could venture forth. How does it go in A Knight's Tale? 'You have been judged...' Except that I had not been found wanting, and I had the seal of approval, or perhaps the armour of protection; to write.
Strictly speaking, Seven Stops is not my first novel. Years, and years, and years ago, I wrote a romance novel. Fifty-five thousand words about cupid's arrow uniting two unlikely people typed up on my old Amstrad, (remember those? So easy to use!). I sent the polished 3 chapters and a synopsis to Mills & Boon. They sent me a lovely and very helpful rejection. They thought my heroine was too strong and my hero not alpha enough, but if I made the adjustments they wanted to see it again. Somehow life got in the way. The old Amstrad went to another home and I only had the paper copy left with me. With a new PC, that I had no idea how to use, I filed the sheets in a drawer along with my other creations; the short stories and the plays for radio, theatre, and TV. None of them are forgotten. Therefore, will they ever be at peace?
Writing Seven Stops took 7 years. One of the biggest obstacles was the synopsis. Once I prevaricated for a year, can't remember what else I did, probably pretended I was looking for an agent. Finally, I resorted to the method that can work for students. I gave myself a deadline. And then I gave my closest friends permission to nag me whenever I hadn't written. Fortunately/unfortunately I'm honest, I find it difficult to lie under interrogation! Anyway, it works. Hence the 3 novels.
When A Fine Balance went on-line, I felt exhausted. The sequel to Goods By Hand is ready in first draft. Plus another full draft of a novel (ghost story) is waiting to be edited. Both works looked like mountains with peaks so high that I felt unable to climb them. Then that light bulb moment. Years ago, a short story of mine, Inward Eye Of The Stones, had been published in a magazine. Why not dust off a few cobwebs? A friend of mine has wanted to be a character in one of my pieces for sometime. I enjoyed writing that one immensely; she was delighted by it. There have been many disturbing issues/incidents in the news, and my collection built quite quickly. The final result was Manna For Heaven.
There are quite a few short stories/ideas emanating from my latest publication. However, I'm almost, sort of, ready to try going back to finish what I started. It needs to be the sequel, but, just so long as I'm writing, then I won't get nagged too much.
To answer the original question; the time was right.
I hope they will be enjoyed.
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