THE SHORT STORY IN PROGRESS

Yesterday the current story got a revision (hours). Today it got another one (hours). Now the manuscript gets to rest for a few days. For the first time ever while working on one of these short writings, I tallied up the uses of the senses and was amazed that the story was replete with such description. Many times beginning writers have to intersperse these in the revisions. But they should come naturally and not “have to be” added later. This was the work of the bolt out of the blue. Call it inspiration, if you like; I prefer a name less mundane.

Before today’s revision, the tally shows 13 references to sound; 6 to taste; 5 to smell; 8 to sight; and really surprising 15 to touch. In addition, 14 references to colors, not that many different colors, but some repeated ones. This story at the moment is only 3,300 words. (Expected to be shorter when finished.) These many uses of the senses in so short a paper (and in a longer one) are a good thing. They help the reader see what the author sees, tastes, touches, etc. This tallying will likely change as the work continues.

I must admit the subject matter made this favoring chance possible. And I will not reveal that subject at this time. Talk about a writer’s current work is usually a fatality on the road to publication. A writer should keep it to himself until the manuscript is in the hands of a critic or an editor. ♥♥♥