520 bears

[rheasilvia]

The 520 Day Reverse Exchange seemed so harmless - a 300 word minimum sounds very doable! No pressure, right?

So, this is how that is going down.

Crickets chirp… time passes. The deadline approaches.

Idea that is somewhat late, but not terribly late: Hey! I think I’ve got something!

Story #1: I’m not going to be THAT short, though. Maybe around 10k? That’ll still be fine, right?

Author: Sure, sure. I’ll be entirely tied up with work the week before the deadline, but I can make it through editing before then, if I lose some sleep. (Read: an insane amount of sleep.)

Author (in a sleep-deprived editing-crazed fog): OMG, I even have a title - before the story is finished!

Story#1: So hey. Here’s a teensy detail that - for reasons that do not need explaining at this juncture - appears to have escaped your notice: I am not actually the story the recipient wanted.

Author: …. ? !!!

Crickets chirp.

Author panics.

BEARS.

Idea that is really very late: Hey, so I was thinking, maybe if you combine these two other story ideas -

Author: YES! Come to my arms, my beamish boy!

Story#2: I actually am what the recipient asked for! Also, you know. Under 5k. Probably. Very probably. Honest.

So, yeah. ;-) I have no idea whether either of these stories are fit to be read and enjoyed by human beings. Story#1 is still missing an ending, and Story#2 is completely unedited and extremely raw. But it has a beginning, a middle and an end and is a story, which means it can be submitted (and then be edited in the traditional sleep-deprived editing-crazed fog). And I have no actual time to work on it this weekend, and maybe not a lot next week.

Man, I look forward to being able to read again. Also, sleep.

How are you guys doing? Any bears approaching?

Comments

[solo]

I did the clever thing and didn't sign up. I have some regrets, but not many.

Beta services at your disposal, of course.

[rheasilvia]

That is very clever indeed! :-) I did have an ominous premonition that things might come to this pass, but I never learn...

And thank you!! I will most definitely take you up on the offer, hopefully sooner rarther than later.

[extrapenguin]

*hugs* I have actually finished my story a while ago, but today (at 5am, thanks brain) it decided it needed an extra scene. And lots of edits. Thankfully not that many bears.

As for what you do with Story #1, while it might not be what your recip wanted, maybe you could at a later date add an ending and publish it? Waste not, want not etc.

[firestar]

Seconding this. XD

[mekare]

Please absolutely do publish the other story. AFTER you’ve gotten a week of adequate rest.

[rheasilvia]

I definitely will! And I'll see if I can't manage to finish it before I get that rest. ;-)

[rheasilvia]

Argh, those 5am inspirations - I know them well. But good work for getting your story done in a reasonable time frame! I... may learn to consistently do that one day. Or alternately stay away from fic exchanges. Or learn to write short stories. ;-)

Waste not, want not etc.

Oh yes, absolutely! I will definitely be finishing and posting story #1. Some distance might even help with the ending!

[firestar]

Didn't sign up for 520 so do not have any BEARS coming after me, but I can wave some figurative, virtual cheerleader pompoms in your general direction?

Also, seconding extrapenguin, I would still love to see story 1 when you have no other obligations setting their BEARS on you. <3

[rheasilvia]

Thank you!! Moral support definitely helps. :-) And I am glad you have escaped the BEARS through wise foresight!

Absolutely, story #1 will definitely be seeing the light of day, too. It really is almost finished. I will whip that final scene into shape somehow. Eventually. ;-)

[firestar]

🥳

[zeest]

Joining the cheerleading brigade! Good luck with writing and may you wrestle the BEARS and win! :D

[rheasilvia]

Thank you, the good wishes are much appreciated! It's a huge relief to have at least the rough draft of a suitable story finished... the rest, I hope, will follow. ;-)

[kimboo_york]

Writing is SO MUCH FUN AMIRITE?!?!?!

Also I see what you did there, at that juncture. ♥

[rheasilvia]

SO MUCH FUN. *headdesk*

Also I see what you did there, at that juncture. ♥

Heee, yes! Vintage fans unite! <3

[mekare]

For reasons that need not explaining at this juncture I am ready to post my assignment today. Best of writing muses to you and have a good night’s sleep. Remember you can edit next week still even if it is in tiny bits.

[rheasilvia]

Yay, congratulations, that is excellent work! And thank you - the possibility of editing after the posting deadline is very calming indeed. :-)

[unrelaxing]

OOF, I'm hoping you manage to choose a story you're happy to share, though I firmly believe both would be fantastic; something about your writing has always gotten me GOOD.

<3 <3 hearts for strength for what seems like some busy days ahead

[rheasilvia]

Thank you so much!! <3 I really hope you like the new story/stories, too. I'll do my best to whip them into shape. :-)

Yes, the next week will definitely not be relaxing... I hope to be able to collapse a bit after that, and maybe actually read the lovely stories people have been writing!

[tinny]

<3 this is how exchanges usually go, I reckon? All the best of luck whipping this thing into shape!

I am doing art and icons and thus have the luxury of being able to make a lot of unconnected little pieces and still exceed the needed minimum. But I know I'll keep making more until the deadline, just because it's fun and I know my recipient will be happy.

[rheasilvia]

this is how exchanges usually go, I reckon?

That is a very good point. :-) I think the low minimum word count lulled me into a false sense of security... which was rather foolish of me, because I knew full well that I would not be able to write anything that short anyway. *headdesk*

Good work on your own assignment! It sounds like you have it well in hand, with no bears in sight. I look forward to seeing your creations!

[lynndyre]

*good thoughts at you and your fics*

[rheasilvia]

Thank you!! Moral support really does help. Though I am already so much calmer after having at least a very rough first draft!