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Breaking Up With Your Story (Audio Short)

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Writing a novel is like being in a relationship with a high maintenance person. Novels want all of your free time. They want the leading role in you day planner. They want you to take them everywhere. It doesn’t matter if you’re out with friends that you never get to see, your novel has something to say and you’re going to listen. Sneak your phone out and type a few paragraphs.

Your Novel looks at your short stories and says, “Who’s that then? They seem pretty cute? Is there something going on between the two of you that I should know about?”

Looking back on your relationship, your novel is never what you thought it was. The ruby colored glasses come off and you see all the edits you’re going to have to make, all the couple’s retreats and all the counseling. You will constantly doubt if it’s all worth it.

Then publishing your novel is like planing a wedding. First you have to find a place. Then they have to set a date. Then you have to send out the invites. It is work.

Like any relationship, writing a novel takes commitment.

This audio short is about what happens when you think you don’t have what it takes to see that commitment through. It’s my third piece to feature music. The first two were poems this is a fully realized short story. Enjoy!

3 thoughts on “Breaking Up With Your Story (Audio Short)”

  1. Wayne – Editor and Soundman for MGL Media (@mglmedia) and currently completing debut novel 'Safe Hands'. Love Writing and hosting The Joined Up Writing Podcast. Follow @MrKelly2u or @jupodcast on Twitter and say hello.
    Wayne Kelly says:

    Drew – this is funny and so true. I have had many an evening out with my friends, secretly pining to get back to my short story or novel! Really good recording too. Nice work.

    Kelly’s Eye – Writing, Music, Life

    Reply
    1. drewchial – When Drew Chial was very young, he found an attic hidden in his bedroom closet. He discovered it investigating an indentation in the ceiling, nudging it with a broom, until it fell inward. There was no stepladder for him to climb, so he scaled the shelves. Shining his flashlight, he found a long triangular hall, twice the length of his bedroom. Every surface was coated in pink insulation that made his skin itch. Creeping into the basement, Drew stole a sleeping bag that he unrolled on the attic floor. He set a tiny aluminum lock box on top of it. This is where he hid the things he wrote. Now Drew hides them in plain sight.
      drewchial says:

      Thank you so much. I can relate. I’ve lost real relationships over my artistic temperament. It’s difficult to explain to my extraverted friends that my desire to go home to read or write is not a slight against them. It’s just this other relationship that I need to maintain with my own head.

      Reply
  2. eightdecades – Artist, Designer, Maker of Things. I have experiences living across eight decades of history. Illustrating and writing stories from this journey is what this blog is about. Like all artists, I have my own opinions of what is worthy of using the hours of my life on. and whether someone likes it or appreciates it is not within my control. This is a truth in art . . . make good art and someone will like it. Experiencing the internet with all its access to great art and artists is a delight. Living in these exciting times, it seems useful to both write and comment on my own experiences. Artisting (my grandkids' word) is a noble vocation, and using accumulated skills to retell accumulated experiences will hopefully culminate in a work of its own.
    eightdecades says:

    Hello- I just stumbled through your site door, hope I didn’t scare your story mistress, or at least to me it is a mistress, because a story is someone you sneak away to, and you hide from the wife rut that is your thinking logical self. (not a real wife, in case mine is reading this).
    Your audio shorts are very interesting, I will return to listen more and form a better response, That is if you want a response.
    Thanks for the sharing

    Reply

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