BentleyBlog

So there's this anthology call for which I thought I might write a story. I came up with a plot idea to fit the theme, and then I came up with a better plot idea. And then I wrote about half the story, then paused for research, which is when I discovered the science didn't work at all the way I needed it to. So there was a lot of flailing and more research and wondering if I should just let the story die. Finally I got my idea and reality to play nice with each other, or at least nice enough to be going on with.

Research issues aside, I didn't get quite as into the story as I would've liked, because the anthology has a hard upper limit of 2000 words, so I was trying to write short. So of course it came in at 2362. *facepalm*

Cut nearly 400 words? Not bloody likely, but I figured I'd give it a try, just for the experiment.

The current fashion for "efficient" writing is entirely wrong-headed, IMNSHO. But it's been an interesting exercise trying to edit for shorter ways to say things without entirely losing the rather sprawly, drawly voice of the story. Surprisingly, I was still fairly pleased with it after the first pass (2114 words) and even the second pass (2030 words).

The third pass, however, was a different matter. Apparently there is a point at which the character stops sounding like himself, and trying to cut those last thirty words passed it. It's down to 2003 now, and losing those 27 words hurt. And three more, while it should not be that big an obstacle, is a big obstacle. I'm about to give it another go, and then I'm going to have to think about whether this is still something I'm comfortable submitting.

ETA: Okay, done it! And amazingly, it's not bad. The longer version is better, but I wouldn't be sorry to see this one in print. (And if it doesn't sell, I can mine the various passes for useful phrases and go back to the +400 words version for regular submissions.)