Last night I wrote a grumpy blog post, but then I deleted it. (Short version: writing is frustrating.)
I’ve been struggling to revise a story. After I wrote that post, I adjusted my attitude towards the story. Even if it’s unfixable, I can still learn from it. I will try to figure out the problem I have with it, and then see if it’ll help me with the next story.
Also, some time ago it occurred to me that revising is a learned skill and I need to learn it. I’ll be working on that in the next year.
And sometimes we need to step back and yammer at someone about it to figure it out. It’s one of the reasons I like to have 3 short stories in varying stages in my head at once (one is active and the other two on the mental backburner). Sometimes my brain works out issues for me or at least hits me with a “hey, you forgot this!” which solves the problem I thought I had. It’s weird, I know… Good luck sorting through this and if you want to chat about it, let me know.
I’ve been switching between this story and my novel. My brain needs the breaks on both.
I’m going to inflict this on my crit group, but if I revise it after that I might take you up on your offer. Right now it looks like it’s headed for the trunk, though.