I Can't Read that Out Loud to Someone!

I had a thought this morning while running in the park. Yesterday, I was going to take my stories to a local writers group, for the first time. I printed off one of the stories, to carry with me; and I sat down to read it while the other story printed. As I read the first story, I envisioned myself, reading it out loud to this group of strangers. I'm sure they would have been supportive, and encouraging, but frankly I couldn't imagine myself reading this story out loud. It didn't feel like me. This morning, on my run I got the idea, if I wasn't willing to read the story in person to strangers, then maybe it wasn't my true voice. Maybe I need to go back and work on the stories until I can stand in front of people, people whom I've never met, and be proud of what I am reading. So, this month's project is to go back and rewrite the stories with the idea that I am going to stand up in public and read to strangers. I hope in doing this, my true voice will come through. I just wish I hadn't already submitted the stories to so many different outlets. Oh well, I guess this is going to be a marathon, not a sprint.

We'll see.

I'm Still Here

I'm still here. I've completed and submitted two short stories to some magazine contests. As of today, I have not heard back a response. I'm hoping to hear back and see what the editors think. I'm currently working on another short story about three men in despair, after trying awfully hard to do the right things, and not finding success. I believe I'm getting better, but right now I am just shooting in the dark. I've got to find a way to get my stories in front of someone who can give me some direction. I'm hoping to finish the current story and then look into joining a local writer's group. I will keep you posted.