Inspiration: I keep a notebook where I write down random ideas. This story had been in the notebook for years. I added it one night after a horrible nightmare.

When I saw what the publishers were looking for, I knew this story at least covered all the elements.

What I dreamt that night was not really what went into the story, because dreams can be weird and storytelling has rules. Still the feelings and overall concept was very useful.

Personal goals with this project:

1: To write with a deadline without stressing myself out.

2: Practice how to follow directions and submit to a competition.

3: To use what I know about writing short stories, and practice that skill.

Process: As I created the first draft, the process was both very easy, yet one of the hardest I have done. Most of it was written on my laptop, in the forest while my dog was having fun hunting mice.

I wrote the climax first, then the beginning, the end, and lastly I filled out the holes.

It was one of those stories where I never wavered. I knew what was going to happen and when. I had clear pictures in my head and could enter the character’s state of mind at any time. That made it easy.

What made it a real challenge, was that I also struggled with stress-related burnout, and before I finished the story I lost someone dear to me. Losing her killed my writing. It was suddenly no longer something I just sat down to do because I wanted to, but because I had to.

I did finish and made a few edits. I did not have the energy to edit it as well as I usually would, and I debated with myself:

“Do I really send this? I didn’t edit enough did I?”

“But I wrote it for this anthology? The Deadline is soon.”

I sent it. I figured that if nothing else, I would get practice in receiving rejections, and that too is a useful skill.

I was relieved and glad that I didn’t waste all that work despite everything.

And…

I cried when they accepted it.

When it came time to editing, I had gotten some useful feedback from beta-readers, and the publisher. Both were far kinder than I was when I reread it (I say this with a smile.)

When I’m ready for editing, and I was at this point, I actually really like it. Seeing how it improves and finding solutions can be a fun puzzle.

I can be hard on myself, but as I finished the story I felt good. I knew I had done my best and I saw how much I have learned in my life as a writer. I knew the story had really improved. That is a rare and powerful feeling.

I must mention my beta-readers. Without good beta-readers, writers can become blind to what the reader actually sees.

As always they did an amazing job, in letting me know what they saw and felt as they read the story. They helped me understand any feedback from editors, that I didn’t quite get, and helped me catch those mistakes that I, as the writer, just don’t see after weeks of editing!

One reader needs an extra mention here!

Her name is Maria A.

Not only did she reread the story a ton of times, but her feedback was so useful and on point. It helped coloring the world without telling me how to do it.

In the last week of editing, she was on discord, with me as I worked and followed along. We talked about the story for hours every day. She worked on her own things too but was ready for whatever I needed when I needed it.

We had fun, but that was still an amazing thing to do for someone else, and I will forever be grateful for that help, support, and hours spent together.

All in all: As someone who used to be unable to keep things short, I was glad to see, that all my work is making me better at zooming in without every story turning into an epic series.

I look forward to this story being published. To share Kate’s story with you, and get more experience with the last part of the process.