Today was productive with the completion of two short stories. The first is a Gideon Miles adventure called "New Dog, Old Tricks" that will be part of a western anthology in July. The other is "Clouds in a Bunker" that deals with a dementia addled patient holding the police at bay in a fallout shelter. I had been working on both for months and it was rewarding to bring 'em to a close.
What are you working on?
23 comments:
Good titles, David. Looking forward to reading the stories. I'm working on THE COYOTE TRACKER (Josiah Wolfe #5), and a short story, "Massacre at Lost Mountain Pass," featuring a new character I'm exploring, U.S. Deputy Marshal Hank Snowden.
Go you! I'm working on a Sci fi. Put the memoir aside for a bit to gain some perspective.
Putting the final touches on two short pieces. One's about a washed up boxer contemplating his life called THE FINAL BELL. The other is a western noir titled THE ELLSWORTH TRAGEDY.
Both are on the longer side of what I've written to date. A
Lest I forget. I've got a flash piece coming out in the near future: hardboiled, balls-to-the-wall noir.
I've also got a big project I'm wining and dining, but we'll not get into that.
I have two stories that are eluding my best efforts to get a final version. It's driving me crazy so I need something else to work on. Or I could spend my time looking for an agent.
Pulp Ink edits. Many of those. Some very fun reading.
A story for Copper Smith's flash fiction contest about the jazz musician, Hank Mobley.
And a story about an unemployed dude who decides to become a criminal.
Larry, I’m looking forward to the latest Wolfe. And I know folks are going to get a kick out of the offspring in ROUND TWO. Is U.S. Deputy Marshal Hank Snowden a modern hero?
Chudney, Sometimes you just need to take a break and get some perspective. I usually set a story aside for a month or two and then take a fresh look. Is the Sci fi a novel or short story?
Boxing and western noir! You speak my language, Mike. And THE ELLSWORTH TRAGEDY is a super title.
Patti, I gave the perfect opening line to your next short story. :)
Chris, I will be sending "Clouds in a Bunker" your way tomorrow. And the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone" is a favorite of mine. I will look forward to your story.
Wow? You know who Hank Mobley is. That's like a first for me. You're a class act, Mr. Cranmer. Very much looking forward to reading Clouds in the Bunker!
Congratulations! Great titles. I'm still plugging away at my WIP for teens, NOT CRICKET, polishing and condensing. I'm waiting to hear back from a farmer in Devon who is checking my lambing scenes and considering whether a few illustrations would help or hinder. I'm racing to finish this draft before the kids finish school in June.
Chris, I've been listening to Jazz for about twenty-five years. To say I'm addicted would be spot on accurate.
Sarah, I'm eagerly waiting for your story and know the attention to detail that you bring to your other pursuits (blog, paintings etc) will result in a top read with NOT CRICKET.
Always a good sign when you are productive, Mr. Cranmer. That means there's more for us on the way...I'm working on what may be turning into a two-volume book called COWBOY LIT: THE WRITERS WHO INVENTED THE WESTERN, 1900-1915.
The darn thing keeps growing and growing as I find more writers that I want to include. As I get to the lesser known ones, the research gets harder. Lately I've been trying to chase down someone in South Dakota who can help me with the current pair of writers I'm covering...no luck so far. It's scary how perfectly competent writers just seem to disappear from the collective memory. Only googlebooks remembers them.
Guess I should have written all this into a blog post of my own. Apologies...
Laying thee miles of pavement tomorrow.
Ron, You're going to have one helluva definitive book on the subject. I'm betting some of your behind the scenes research will make for great blog posts.
Ken, The first time you leave a comment... ha!
Maintaining my inner peace at work while trying to get certain people of their butt so that I can get rid of that dangling sword over my head.
Oh wait, you're talking about writing?
I went on a search and destroy at Duotrope over the weekend and instead of finding a mag for story, found a few potential publishers to submit. Sometimes, not comprehending the phrase "any style" can lead to good things.
As for actual writing, still plugging away on my latest project by writing it longhand.
Congrats on wrapping those up!
I just sent a full first draft off to my agent. Hoping she tells me it's perfect and not to change a thing! ;)
I've just sent a flash piece off to a contest which I was pretty chuffed with. As usual I wrote it on deadline day and had to chop 200 words to get it in the word count.
Working on a story about a guy who picks up the wrong coat at the end of a night on the beer. No title as yet but the idea could spiral out of control.
Have another gritty piece about a building site, but that's a bit nasty. Not sure.
Have an idea that came to me while working at the current location. A ghost/horror piece involving an antique mirror.
My novel, The Court (working title), as and when it shows up.
Then, a huge kitchen floor, 2 bathrooms, another kitchen, another bathroom.......... ;-)
There's not enough time in a day!!!!!
Working on a piece for the PULP INK anthology, being put together by Chris Rhatigan and Nigel Bird.
You have explained why you write longhand and I completely understand. I usually carry a notebook with me on trips to the store, doctor’s office, vacation etc. But I’m afraid writing longhand for a full length draft would slow me down to much. Different strokes as they say and good luck with the office politics, G.
Ha! Good luck, Alyssa. I wonder how many times a manuscript showed up at an agent's desk perfect. I guess minor punctuation issues are the closest mere mortals can hope for. It is when they ask you to begin gutting your baby like a fish that it hurts.
David, You had an idea for a ghost/horror piece at the scenic location you’re working at? That sounds very intriguing, sir. As to your other story, I spend a fair amount of time on construction sites and a few rough drafts have come out of the experiences but nothing more substantial.
Naomi, I'm looking forward to reading your contribution. I'm proofing "Clouds in a Bunker" today for PULP INK and hopefully will have it to Chris and Nigel this afternoon. I really think this antho is going to rock the house.
Congratulations. Nothing big at the moment, still trying to churn out a poem a day.
A poem a day is pretty big in my book, Dave. I know I have asked before but is there a collection in the works?
Nice titles. I love a good title.
I'm revising a short about my hulking manchild Denny called "Junkyard Dog" that was inspired by Chuck Wendig's dog tales, but too long to contribute.
Also working on one with my mob enforcer and earner Jay Corso called "Good With His Hands."
And expanding the chapter summary for my revised novel in progress, something I should have done before beginning the second draft in the first place.
Thomas, Titles are so important and your "A Glutton for Punishment" jumped right out at me. Of course, a top story must follow and Glutton certainly delivered the goods. Best of luck on the novel.
Book.
Gotcha. It will be a good one.
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