I enjoy writing fiction. Much of what I write creatively is terrible. I know that’s not a strong selling point, but few places are buying fiction anyway. I’ve started and never finished several novels, and many of my stories have found their way to the trash can or become victims of the delete button, but I keep writing. I once had a lovely collection of rejection letters. Two I was quite proud of: The New Yorker returned Sea Goddess in tatters after nine months with the comment, “Very close,” and I had a full page from The Atlantic Monthly on fancy letterhead that included, “Keep submitting” for a story that has unfortunately been lost.

There are a few stories here. You may enjoy them. Please feel free to comment on them. You’ll see a comments box once you are past the first page.

If you’re interested in writing fiction, my advice besides, “Do it!” is to attend workshops and get at least one good book on writing fiction. The best book out there is Janet Burroway’s Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft.

The most widely used and respected text in its field, Writing Fiction, 7e by novelists Janet Burroway and Elizabeth Stuckey-French guides the novice story writer from first inspiration to final revision by providing practical writing techniques and concrete examples. Written in a tone that is personal and non-prescriptive, the text encourages students to develop proficiency through each step of the writing process, offering an abundance of exercises designed to spur writing and creativity. The text also integrates diverse contemporary short stories in every chapter in the belief that the reading of inspiring fiction goes hand-in-hand with the writing of fresh and exciting stories.

It’s pricey, so you may want to look for an old edition in your local used bookstore.

Quotes about writing

What no wife of a writer can ever understand is that a writer is working when he’s staring out of the window. ~Burton Rascoe

Every writer I know has trouble writing. ~Joseph Heller

Everywhere I go I’m asked if I think the university stifles writers. My opinion is that they don’t stifle enough of them. There’s many a bestseller that could have been prevented by a good teacher. ~Flannery O’Connor

Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. ~Anton Chekhov