When I write short stories, I write them in pairs. This is why: I think the best gift a writer could have would be the ability to read their own work as if they’d never seen it before. But a truly objective perspective on your own work is impossible. It helps to leave a draft in the draw for a few days, weeks or months, but I’ve found that if I work on two stories at the same time, alternating drafts, I get a much clearer perspective much quicker.
Even if it’s only been a couple of days since I last saw the draft of a story, if I’ve been working on a different story in between, it feels like I haven’t seen it in weeks. I can see what needs fixing so easily. It stands out on the page.
So if I’m writing to a deadline and don’t have the luxury of leaving drafts in the draw for weeks, I actually find it’s much more efficient and effective to work on two stories rather than one. Right now I’m writing a short story commission for Radio 4, and at the same time I’m working on its partner story. It’s been a while since I’ve written any shorts because I’ve been focussing on my novel. But it feels so good to be on short stories again! Oh the pleasure. Oh the comfort of small spaces!
This is great! Never thought about that tactic! Are you write two completely different stories or similar?
Thanks Alen. I try not to write any two stories the same, so yes, as different as possible.
I think that’s a really good idea. I find with all writing, that the longer you can leave a draft to ferment, the more connections your brain makes. Working on two stories at once gives the subconscious lots to mull over.
I do the same. In fact I have lots of stories on the go at once, all at different stages of development – first draft, being edited, being polished. It is great to have time with shorts in between novel work. I find I can’t edit my novel for ages – perhaps I should write two at once?!