This piece is a cutting-room-floor rescue. It's one of six novel openings that I tried and discarded. But while it didn't fit the flow of the novel itself, I felt this short scene had something important to say about family communication. So I reworked it as a stand-alone and started shopping it around. The editors at Motley Press liked it (perhaps because of the cross-cultural issues) and the scene got new life.
Don't be too quick to give up on your "killed darlings." They may find second life if you're willing to give them some attention. Small victories like this one can be a great morale booster when novel writing feels hopelessly slow and unrewarding. I say more about the topic in the post Giving Life to Peripheral Stories.
Have you tried your hand at short fiction? Have you ever rescued a "killed darling"?
Categories: publishing, short stories
Congrats this is awesome!
ReplyDeleteYay on the publication of your flash fiction. =D
ReplyDeleteCongrats! That's great news!
ReplyDeleteAnd also, good advice. I keep all of my little snippets and things I've cut - you just never know what they might grow to be. :)
CONGRATS, Laurel!! So excited to read it. And it's so inspiring that it came from a discarded piece. Your victory is motivating all of us :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to resurrect your creations. Congrats! It does boost morale. I'm going to read it now.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Laurel!
ReplyDeletehey, what a great turn of events! And what a great tip... keeping that one in mind. Super-congrats, btw! Well done~ :o)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Laurel! Now why didn't I know about this before? *glares*
ReplyDelete:)
Congrats, Laurel! Wonderful news! Yep I have tried my hand at flash fiction. Exactly the same scenario as this happened to me! :o) xoxo
ReplyDeleteIt was a very nice story. Sad and emotional. Well done on the publication.
ReplyDelete......dhole
Congratulations! I would never have thought to rework a scene as a short story. What a brilliant idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I hope you get a chance to pop over and take a look. It's a great little zine.
ReplyDelete(Simon: I IMed you about the pub, crit buddy. Your memory is perhaps getting overfull of other stuff. (-: )
I've done fiction for children - short stories, that is. Am now tackling a longer WIP for adults. Congrats on your story! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats Laurel that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteMy shorts never had the life my novels did, hence the reason they got left behind.
ReplyDeleteBut CONGRATS to you! I'm sure that is a boost!!
Congratulations! So very awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried this, but definitely worth thinking about.