A housekeeping note:

A housekeeping note:

Recently I’ve been thinking about the direction of this page, and have become weary that it might look like I’m guilty of something that was best articulated in an Arctic Monkeys song,

“Talking about things, but not actually doing things.”

Trust me, I’ve been writing a lot lately. I’ve currently got thirty two pieces of writing in my drafts folder—all of which are about 90% complete. I’ve just been trying to take a more considered approach with what I publish on here. Editing more, thinking over each point from new angles.
Perhaps this counter productive at a point, but there is a logic behind it.

Where’s the fiction?

The glaring lack of fiction I’ve been posting on here lately, is the element of this recent trend that I’m most conscious of.

You know? Fiction. That thing I talk about in every article. The medium which is supposed to be my main focus?

Where’s it all gone?

First I’ll explain myself, then I’ll share my solution.

See, I haven’t forgotten about my “season” structure for short stories on here.

I’ve actually completed ten brand new short stories, and only have two more to cap off to complete my season two.
From where I’m currently sitting I feel my more considered approach has paid off, I see elements in these stories that are stronger than anything I’ve written to date.

In theory I’ve already got enough material to start posting my second season of stories right now.

But that’s just the thing…

The Big Picture

I’m trying to build a bit of a portfolio here. As a writer, until I’ve secured that elusive publishing deal, all I’ve really got to my name are the competitions I’ve won and the literary journals my work has I’ve been included in.

If I burn these stories here on the Sudden Walk right off the bat, then I can’t submit them to either of the above.

So that’s why I’m delaying season two for a bit. I’m sending them out waiting to hear back (within reason, some of these journals have a six month response time which is fucking ridiculous)

So expect season two to begin in April/May of this year.

Note: I’ll begin work on season three the moment I’ve finished season two, so there won’t be such a delay moving forward.

But what about in the mean time?

As promised, I’ve got a solution.
See, while I’m happy with what I’ve come up with so far, I’m not yet convinced that my “considered” approach is the most effective method for putting out the best work long term.

At least in my case.

I have a tendency to overthink— my six year to completion of a novel can attest to this—and historically, the writing that has garnered the most positive responses for me are actually those pieces that were written under time pressure and with limitations.

So with that preamble out of the way I’ll finally get to my fucking point!

I’ve put together a list of pages here on Substack that regularly put out writing cues and micro-competitions.

On top of my “serious” writing. I am going to make a concerted effort to answer these calls for writing more regularly, building my engagement with the Substack community a bit more, and up my volume of fiction posts at the same time.

This way, my presence as a fiction writer won’t take on such a feast and famine rhythm.

I hope this makes sense. There’s a lot more to come. Trust me.