IB2, IB3, short story madness

Something about conventions either kicks me in the head or kicks me in the ass. LibertyCon usually does the latter. This year's LibertyCon 31 was no different.

When I got home after a grueling 9+ hour drive from Chattanooga, my brain was humming. No, not the audible type of humming (I would see a doc for that), but buzzing with new ideas and a desire to get moving.

Prior to this year's LibertyCon, I finished writing Ice Burns 2, titled Frost Flame. I was high on that sense of accomplishment but knew I still had a ways to go before I rest my weary head (or keyboard).  Ice Burns 3, currently untitled, is burning a hole in my head and I had still needed to complete first and second edits on Frost Flame  before sending it to my new editor.

During edits, short stories started tugging at me. It's been a while since that's happened, so I paused to take a listen and ended up writing a Sci-Fi/Fantasy/SteamPunk(ish) short story that was really fun. I actually finished that with full edits yesterday and have sent out a few feelers to see if anyone wants it. It was a fun write, though which I haven't had in a while.

Something happens when you finish a work or two though: you're either empty because you aren't actively writing, or bummed because a part of you is...absent. I'm feeling a little of both. I'm also feeling the crunch of my day job to get some items prepped and going for the upcoming school year.

Writing is an emotional journey; I guess that's my point. It has ups and downs like anything else. Some writers, me included, don't know that early on. You won't always feel high from writing. You won't always feel confident or worthwhile. You will have that drive mixed with a heady dose of procrastination trying to pull you in another direction -- don't let it. To write is to reach a sense of self; a sense of accomplishment. Even if that writing is crap and it ends up stored on your computer for years to come, it still needs a voice, and you need to speak it. If you want to write, do so. Don't let things stop you. Don't let anyone stand between you and what you want. It might take years (sadly) before you can truly hone your craft and feel at one with your art, but take that time to do so. Make your time to put the ripples in the water and watch them turn to waves. I'll stand on the shore and hand you another rock.