I think I am growing in my writing as a whole and technique in particular.  Normally I sit in front of the computer or desk, etc., and write with a sometimes loose plan until the story is finished.  I love writing novels because there is much wiggle room for details, plot, and surprises for me as well as the reader.  With short stories, the room is defined – by me this time and editors normally – and I sometimes have difficulty getting everything in the story I want to get in there.  This story, in particular, is slowly progressing and I’m OK with that because a) I’m enjoying it, and b) I want the short story collection to be good.

Yesterday I was hoping to get the current piece completed so I could go on to the next one.  It didn’t happen.  Not because I couldn’t have done it, but because I felt the rushed ending before it began happening, which is a big difference for me.  Normally I don’t sense the rushed ending until it is already there on the screen or on paper and a second writing is necessary to fix it, make everything make sense.  Yesterday I felt the exact place where the story was preparing to rush and I stopped it dead in its tracks.

I know the ending to the story.  I know what is supposed to happen.  Plus, I am still being surprised by the main character.  Letting others get to know him is my goal and I am not going to let things get ruined because of my impatience.

All-in-all, this short story collection is teaching me wonderful lessons about my craft and myself.  I couldn’t ask for anything more, except for others to enjoy what I’ve written.  I am also getting excited about that now as well.