Wednesday, September 9, 2009

WIP Wednesday: Huzzah for the Short Form!

Okay, I ended my first draft of Loathsome on Monday with a sub-stellar word count of 62K. With 10-15K of needed additions, I can sit with that.

Now (rubs hands together), I can write some short stories. First up to bat: "Climb". I'm about 1,000 words in, and like what's shaping up thus far. The finished product should land around 2500-3000 words.

The elder god, M’bori Sangu, sleeps in his shrine at the center of the plateau. Before each rainy season, the five villages bring their best dishes: spiced yams, ground nut stew, tender mutton. Only two ropes lead to the plateau, and the top climbers—always boys under seventeen years—make the ascent, each carrying a basket of human skulls filled with the delicacies.


Have I mentioned I'm reading a collection of H.P. Lovecraft's short fiction? Man, "The Rats in the Walls" chilled my marrow. I know prevailing wisdom says to write with specific markets (especially anthologies) in mind, but I've never worked that way.

11 comments:

Alan W. Davidson said...

Great image, Aaron...basket of human skulls filled with the delicacies.

Aaron Polson said...

Alan - I was reading Vicious Verses, and one poet spoke of zombies scraping the brains out of a skull like pudding. Inspiring words...

Fox Lee said...

I go both ways: currently I'm quite keen on writing for anthologies.

Cate Gardner said...

Excellent imagery. When is the world going to recognise your brilliance? It has to be soon.

Lovely word count for Loathsome.

Katey said...

Mmm the Rats in the Walls is my all time Lovecraft favorite. Still scares the hell out of me every time.

Your fabulous imagery makes me want to get back to something short so badly!

Elana Johnson said...

Cool story. Keep up the great progress.

Aaron Polson said...

Natalie - I hear that. Trying to find markets can be a nightmare.

Cate - Well after it recognizes yours. ;)

Katey - The Rats in the Walls...man, when they kept going down, under the altar...so scary. My only knock on Lovecraft is how much exposition he frontloads in some stories.

Elana - thanks. Writing short is a different beast; it brings out the perfectionist.

Jamie Eyberg said...

Very cool. And if that picture doesn't inspire, nothing will.

Carrie Harris said...

You can't tell that you're reading Lovecraft. No, not at all. ;)

Katey said...

I agree with the exposition complaint as my one stylistic argument with the man. I realize that it was very much the thing at the time to give a truck-load of backstory, but Jesus, I'm glad we're over that these days...

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