Short story update

[reptyle]

I worked some more tonight on that short story I'm writing.  The good news: I'm up to over 3,400 words.  The not good news: I'm not even halfway done with it yet.

I'm also worried because it, being the product of someone who never writes stories, will probably require extensive rewriting and refining to turn into a good story.  So even when it's

Comments

[reptyle]

You forgot a third component: knowledge.  There are many writers who think their work is novel-worthy simply because they don't know how clunky/awkward/unnatural/stilted/directionless/etc. their writing really is, and while knowing my ignorance is a start it's only that, a start.  Time and effort are essential ingredients, no question, but without knowledge of how to direct them a good product would just be luck.

That isn't to say I think I'm a bad writer; I just don't know that I'm good enough. (And before someone says I just need to practice, I don't write often enough, or want to, to make this a serious pastime.)

[jaybee_bug]

You might consider getting a beta reader. This is common practice among fan fiction writers. Some betas only check your work over for spelling/grammar, but others will give you feedback on plot, storyflow, characterization, so forth. Whatever it is that someone could use some help with, basically.

The choice of beta reader is important, of course-- you need to find someone you 'click' with and can work well with.