How do you guys (gender-neutral) do it?

[panaflora]

We're all old enough to be Emily's parents, or grandparents.

Apart from age though, we're all well above average.

 

[BobbyBrandt]

With the number of threads you create in the AH, I'm surprised that you find the time to write at all.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Apart from age though, we're all well above average.

Every single posting on AH is above average (population: people posting on AH ).

Em

 

[panaflora]

Especially those threads that mention Railroad salvage. A train wreck by any other name...

 

[EmilyMiller]

With the number of threads you create in the AH, I'm surprised that you find the time to write at all.

https://media.tumblr.com/885d0c3f0dfa5668824fe97a0ba9c785/tumblr_inline_msc2oyHM301qz4rgp.gif

 

[Trionyx]

I usually finish a story long before the deadline and let it sit awhile. I’ll reread and review a couple of times before submission. It is amazing how being away from the story for a month or two helps in the editing and fine tuning processes. I’m no great author but I do believe my works are far better as a result of this ‘write and wait’ approach.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I do believe my works are far better as a result of this ‘write and wait’ approach.

I’m sure that’s right, just doesn’t suit my temperament that well .

Em

 

[NoTalentHack]

Me too. This is difficult.

Em

I have found my people.

 

[Voboy]

It's not that hard.

I tell myself that if it's the contest topic that inspired the story, then it's proper for the story to damn well wait until the contest rolls around, regardless of how good it is.

I don't revisit it, though. I write it, finalize it a few days later, then I don't read it again before I post it further on down the road.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Off topic, I get an impression that the average age of AH authors is somewhere around 55? I feel so young and innocent...

Don't think the AH is representative of Lit's overall spread of writers, coz it probably isn't. We're a fairly unusual micro sub-set, I'd say.

But youth and innocence are remarkable traits, hold on them while you can. Or be like Em, an ancient wise crone (next year, obviously) .

 

[tenyari]

My instinct is to say I couldn't handle waiting like that either.

However the three stories I published here last week... I finished in July of 2022 and then sat on all this time while working on a fourth.

So... I guess I do have it in me.

The "trick" is to get writers block on the last part...

 

[EmilyMiller]

Don't think the AH is representative of Lit's overall spread of writers, coz it probably isn't. We're a fairly unusual micro sub-set, I'd say.

But youth and innocence are remarkable traits, hold on them while you can. Or be like Em, an ancient wise crone (next year, obviously) .

Youth? Arguably,

Innocence? Please!

Em

 

[TarnishedPenny]

You don't have half a dozen unfinished pieces lurking? I open my screen with trepidation each morning, wondering which one will grab me by the throat, screaming, "Finish me you lazy fucker!!"

Your computer appears to know mine.

 

[panaflora]

Your computer appears to know mine.

Oh great, another plot device to work in

 

[AwkwardlySet]

Don't think the AH is representative of Lit's overall spread of writers, coz it probably isn't. We're a fairly unusual micro sub-set, I'd say.

But youth and innocence are remarkable traits, hold on them while you can. Or be like Em, an ancient wise crone (next year, obviously) .

Oh, I am hardly a youth or innocent, I meant that as a joke in comparison. I am forty actually, although I do look closer to thirty, genetics be praised. Well, at least I am not a toddler like some here...

 

[panaflora]

Oh, I am hardly a youth or innocent, I meant that as a joke in comparison. I am forty actually, although I do look closer to thirty, genetics be praised. Well, at least I am not a toddler like some here...

That sounds like an underage reference ... or me after three drinks

 

[JaxRhapsody]

Self-control.

 

[JaxRhapsody]

We're all old enough to be Emily's parents, or grandparents.

Not me, I'm just big bro.

 

[oneagainst]

I’m used to banging stuff out there. But I know a few people here talk about sitting on completed stories for a while to let them mature.

I get that you might look at them with fresh eyes some weeks or months later. But where do you get the patience from?

Long story chains! Having the pipeline full of a story or two a week until November at this point... I really want to jump ahead and get some of the parts out but it's got to be done in order. You need the patience of a saint. Plus, you still get to fiddle with stuff up until the moment you hit publish, so that passes the time.

 

[NoTalentHack]

What’s “it”? I hear you cry.

I just finished my “On the Job” story. And now I have to wait until mid-April to post it?

I’m used to banging stuff out there. But I know a few people here talk about sitting on completed stories for a while to let them mature.

I get that you might look at them with fresh eyes some weeks or months later. But where do you get the patience from?

Em

Just do what I do: procrastinate until it's almost too late, then panic-slam your face into the keyboard until you have a story, followed by a couple of editing passes while whacked out on ADHD drugs and caffeine. Works great for me.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

What’s “it”? I hear you cry.

I just finished my “On the Job” story. And now I have to wait until mid-April to post it?

I’m used to banging stuff out there. But I know a few people here talk about sitting on completed stories for a while to let them mature.

I get that you might look at them with fresh eyes some weeks or months later. But where do you get the patience from?

Em

It’s not about sitting on a story it’s more time to finish. ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE took only two months whereas HOT AND FUZZY has taken the best part of a year.

It’s a case of finding a few moments to write and a few moments to edit, edit and edit again.

 

[Candy_Kane54]

We're all old enough to be Emily's parents, or grandparents.

I have grand nieces and grand nephews older than Emily ...

 

[EmilyMiller]

I have grand nieces and grand nephews older than Emily ...

My Mom and Dad are both in their late 50s. My Mom has a daughter from her first marriage who is ten years older than me.

Em

 

[Imstillfun]

i’m bipolar type II so I can only write at certain points in a cycle. That point makes me publish ASAP and very anxious for results. (See bipolar and hypersexuality)

 

[EmilyMiller]

i’m bipolar type II so I can only write at certain points in a cycle. That point makes me publish ASAP and very anxious for results. (See bipolar and hypersexuality)

I hope it’s OK to offer a .

Em