Posted on by Desiree S. Brown

If we were having coffee on July 8, 2016

Two weeks ago I wrote my first Coffee Share post and loved it! So I decided to do another. I don’t have much to say but If we were having coffee, I’d tell you…

 

I submitted my short story!

Maybe I should call it “flash fiction” since it’s 500 words?

Anyway, I finished my editing and then submitted it to the contest’s judges four days ago. Whoopie!

Writing a piece of flash fiction is challenging but fun. You have to make sure every word progresses the story because there’s little room for fluff. The story needs a point and you need to get to it in a quick, but satisfying, way.

I admire the writer who can do this in 100 words.

 

I expect to be rejected.

This isn’t depression or resignation, it’s fact. We writers have to face rejection from publishers, agents, readers, and so on. This isn’t an excuse to quit however. Even the most seasoned writer faces rejection on a daily basis.

“I discovered that rejections are not altogether a bad thing. They teach a writer to rely on his own judgment and to say in his heart of hearts, ‘To hell with you.’“ – Saul Bellow

I love this quote the most:

“I love my rejection slips. They show me I try.” – Sylvia Plath

You can find more quotes here.

Anyway, I have too many projects and am way too stubborn to give up so I’m not worried.

 

I’m reading Steven Pressfield’s Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t and you should be too!

The book is not as discouraging as the title sounds, I promise.

I received the book from Marie Forleo who asked Mr. Pressfield if her email list subscribers could get a free copy. I’m 63% through and that’s only because I had to pause a few times to get back to my writing.  The chapters are small (I think this is Pressfield’s writing style), but gems exist in each one. I plan on writing a review so keep an eye out.

 

That’s what’s going on in my neck of the woods. As always, I’m eager to hear (um…read) your comments below.

You can also participate in these “If we were having coffee…” posts by simply writing one and tagging it #weekendcoffeeshare on twitter. Go to Part Time Mosnter‘s blog for more information.

13 Replies to “If we were having coffee on July 8, 2016”

  1. Good luck on the contest and a big congrats for doing it! You wrote it, you submitted it, and that is cause for celebration right there!

    I raise my cup of coffee and salute you!

    Reply
    1. Desiree S. Brown – Stockton, CA – Desiree S. Brown is a poet and speculative fiction author. She has contributed poetry to magazines like Redrosethorns and articles to blogs like NaNoWriMo.
      Desiree B says:

      I never thought of it like that, thanks!

      Reply
  2. Beaton – 17°51′50″S 31°1′47″E – I am not the words I write, nor the thoughts I share, but with each letter I become ME
    Beaton says:

    well all the best on the short story… you should try writing a story on twitter 140 characters is quite the challenge, but I have suddenly developed a liking for microflash-fiction….
    The book title is somewhat…. you know lol but is it good though how would you rate it so far maybe out of curiosity I just might add it to my reading list of stuff I say I might get round to reading…
    ~B

    Reply
    1. Desiree S. Brown – Stockton, CA – Desiree S. Brown is a poet and speculative fiction author. She has contributed poetry to magazines like Redrosethorns and articles to blogs like NaNoWriMo.
      Desiree B says:

      I never knew people did that on twitter. I found a few good ones via the #microfiction hashtag and I can see why you’re beginning to like them.

      As for the book, the whole title is “Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: Why that Is and What You Can Do About It.” It’s a little similar to Stephen King’s “On Writing” because Pressfield shares his writing journey through fiction, advertising, and Hollywood. He uses the principles from those careers to write fiction. I don’t usually give ratings because I can’t finish things I don’t like (so everything I finish is 5 stars, lol), but it gets a high one for me. Hope that helps!

      Reply
      1. Beaton – 17°51′50″S 31°1′47″E – I am not the words I write, nor the thoughts I share, but with each letter I become ME
        Beaton says:

        You can also try looking up the #vss hashtag (Very Short Story)
        I read Stephen Kong’s “On Writing” So I see how it goes, and well in full the title gets self explanatoryish 😂
        I can’t not finish a book even if I don’t like it, I’ll get to the end and then say I ain’t never reading it again then file it under because I recommend to people I don’t like. Yes petty like that ha!
        Anyway I am adding it to a list 😂
        B

        Reply
        1. Desiree S. Brown – Stockton, CA – Desiree S. Brown is a poet and speculative fiction author. She has contributed poetry to magazines like Redrosethorns and articles to blogs like NaNoWriMo.
          Desiree B says:

          Thanks I’ll try it!

          Sorry about that I guess I should have put the whole title up there. But, yeah, it has been a good read so far.

          Lol! Petty, sure, but also brilliant.

          Reply
  3. KB Garst – This blog is about my mid-life observations - on everything! From everyday life, to family, health, relationships, and anything else that comes my way! I appreciate you stopping by!
    KB Garst says:

    I’m glad you submitted your story! Best wishes!

    Reply
    1. Desiree S. Brown – Stockton, CA – Desiree S. Brown is a poet and speculative fiction author. She has contributed poetry to magazines like Redrosethorns and articles to blogs like NaNoWriMo.
      Desiree B says:

      Thank you so much! 🙂

      Reply
  4. bettylouise31 – Meridian, Idaho – http://idahobluebird50.wordpress.com Member of NetGalley and Edelweiss Senior Citizen and been reading and sharing my thoughts on books most of my life. I read for my pleasure. I have been married for over 65 years. We had a Bengal Cat, Kato who has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Interests include reading, dogs, cats, gardening, knitting, crocheting. I have a strong interest in North American native plants. A word on my reviews. I am writing very few. Books reviews are from my public library, brought, many from Netgalley, a few from Edelweiss, occasionally from an author or from friends. The opinions are my own. I represent no publisher, author, or another source​. My reviews can be found on. Tumblr, Goodreads, Google+, and Twitter. I have no Facebook account. Thanks for reading my blog.
    bettylouise31 says:

    Good luck with your story.

    Reply
    1. Desiree S. Brown – Stockton, CA – Desiree S. Brown is a poet and speculative fiction author. She has contributed poetry to magazines like Redrosethorns and articles to blogs like NaNoWriMo.
      Desiree B says:

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Kathleen Howell – Michigan – photog | motorcyclist | sledhead | kayaker | wordpress blogger | glamper, lover of travel | booknerd | grammar nazi
    Kathleen Howell says:

    Awesome, congrats! When stories are rejected, do they give critique? Great way to improve. I’m a stock photographer and when an image is rejected, they explain why. It’s very helpful!

    Good luck!

    Reply
    1. Desiree S. Brown – Stockton, CA – Desiree S. Brown is a poet and speculative fiction author. She has contributed poetry to magazines like Redrosethorns and articles to blogs like NaNoWriMo.
      Desiree B says:

      Great point. Yep, they do this. I’ll definitely be on the look out for it.

      Reply
  6. Pingback: Book Review: “Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: Why That Is and What You Can Do About It” by Steven Pressfield | Inky Tavern

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