There are days when I flit from one thing to another. Even when I’m on a roll writing my book, I sometimes stop and start writing something else that popped into my head.
Yesterday, I was side-tracked by a 3,000 word short story. My mind wouldn’t let it go until it was fully typed. Only then could I go back to working on my book.
Occasionally something will flash across my mind, and I’m off and running across the internet as I search and read – whether it be a recipe, a blog, a news item, or shopping for books. I suppose something in my writing triggered the thought, shades of ADHD take over, and I have to run after it.
I found myself searching writing contests one day and came across The First Line contest. The next submissions are due by August 1, 2012, and the first line of your short story must be:
“A light snow was falling as Charlie Reardon left the diner and made his way down Madison Street.”
I love the story-starter idea and already have a general idea for this story in my mind. It will probably come together in the middle of a chapter in my book, and I’ll have to drop everything to start writing for the contest.
Sometimes I concentrate on what I’m currently writing just before going to sleep, and when I wake up – whether in the middle of the night or in the morning – the answer, the solution, or the continuation is just there. My mind works it out in my sleep. I suppose that’s considered an old mind trick I learned years ago from brainstorming sessions at work. If you’ve never tried it, give it a go, and see how it works for you.
The First Line Contest:
Fiction is to be between 300 and 3,000 words. All submission guidelines can be read here: http://www.thefirstline.com/submission.htm
Breezy Books 
I do that sleep thing a lot. It’s something I’ve been doing for years. It works too as you know. As for flitting around. Oh yeah I do that all the time. Sometimes it drives me crazy, but sometimes I find some really great story ideas!
It’s actually a lot fun having a brain that runs from one thing to the next – until you put food on the stove and forget about it like I did last night. No kidding, I burned both the chicken AND the beans.
Do you enter writing contests?
Don’t feel bad lady, I burnt something last week. And last month! I got to writing and zoned out everything else till the smoke detector went off! haha!
I have thought about writing contests but haven’t entered any yet. Have you?
I haven’t. I’ve seen a few lately, and even some publications that are simply seeking stories, but I’m just not in the mood to write for anyone/anything else yet – if that makes sense.
I understand. I’ve been thinking about it, to see what happens if nothing else.
As I come across them – if I come across any more – I’ll send you a note.
Thanks 🙂