A short story doesn't have to be long...

You know, I got demoralized recently in a writing class. My classmates were all writing the same sort of ambitious, pat, naturalistic text. I felt like a fix out of water with waaay too much oxygen in my gills.

So, I've been looking for some reassurance in the pages of my favorite authors. I've been looking for new forms and interesting perspectives. Perspectives not set in the Victorian Age or some ill-defined "future." I've been looking for my characters again cause they got lost in the criticism.

Wouldn't you know I got to reading a collection of shorts by Neil Gaiman and in breezing along his words I came upon the shortest short story. Then it hit me, a short story doesn't have to be long and a novel doesn't have to answer everyone's questions. Better still, it's a shitload better with a lot of questions left in there. I've been all worked up about "do people understand" when MY readers don't have problems understanding. They want the world and it's my responsibility to create it.

While I'm at it, I have to satisfy myself because I'm my first reader. This is not to say I'm going to go jumping, both feet and super enthused, into classes. I don't like other writers that much. I've met one in three classes whom I enjoy and he's busier than I am with his day job. Great guy, though.

Instead, I'm going to keep on with what I'm doing. Mainly researching escort services and learning about that industry because it intrigues me. I am content to be easier with myself and less inclined to listen to others. They had their chance to impress me with what they had to say about my writing and it didn't work out so hot.

Hooray for art!