Drabbling along
isiscolo wrote a very interesting entry on the inherent challenge of writing drabbles. Putting 100 words together that perfectly fit the topic and idea in mind is devilishly tricky. I usually spend half my time with one hand on the MS Word "Word Count" feature and the other on the delete key. I think I started writing drabbles initially for the remember_wenn community. We were all feeling a little mopey that we couldn't write about these wonderful characters. Our well-intentioned epics would peter out in the planning stages. Or we'd write and slave over an idea only to receive a paltry "I liked it" or two on the main lists. So someone mentioned this tantalizing idea of a "drabble", little short pieces.
So I wound up writing four drabbles: "Blackout", "Lost", "Lucky", "Valiant Journey"
For those unfamiliar with the series, RW is a WWII period drama that aired on American Movie Classics set in a Pittsburgh radio station. Hilary/Jeff were my primary ship, although I had also dabbled in Hilary/Scott and Hilary/Mackie at different points.
I then discovered Harry Potter fandom. Not having the courage yet for longer fics, the idea of writing drabbles sounded "easier". I could do this. That was when I went down the slippery slope of doom. Suddenly I found the 100 word communities, first for HP and then X-Men. I still very rarely these days write longer pieces, unless the bunny just simply won't take "No way in Hades" for an answer. (Maybe it isn't a Greek bunny?) I willingly admit that I misuse the term drabble sometimes for pieces over 100 words, probably because I dislike some of the other choices suggested.
When she was doing interviews, seemag asked why I enjoy writing drabbles, since I seem to do so many lately. Here's my answer reposted:
I'm very bad at having quick bursts of inspiration without following through on the idea. The road is paved with my WIPs, I'm sad to say. Drabbles appeal to be because they are ideal for those short bursts. I can write a drabble and feel like I've written something, rather than struggling to put words together. They allow me to write about obscure characters I might not normally write about. They allow me to dabble and try out fandoms to see if I can write in them. And oddly I don't feel as bad if the drabble misfires. When a longer fic receives no response, then I start moping.
So, yes, drabbles require a certain kind of writer. One willingly to "kill your darlings" and try out new approaches... one who likes a challenge, not necessarily for story prompting but for constructing the story. Am I a good drabble writer? I enjoy writing them and sometimes I'm quite proud of my little offerings. I like to think I give my best effort.
So I wound up writing four drabbles: "Blackout", "Lost", "Lucky", "Valiant Journey"
For those unfamiliar with the series, RW is a WWII period drama that aired on American Movie Classics set in a Pittsburgh radio station. Hilary/Jeff were my primary ship, although I had also dabbled in Hilary/Scott and Hilary/Mackie at different points.
I then discovered Harry Potter fandom. Not having the courage yet for longer fics, the idea of writing drabbles sounded "easier". I could do this. That was when I went down the slippery slope of doom. Suddenly I found the 100 word communities, first for HP and then X-Men. I still very rarely these days write longer pieces, unless the bunny just simply won't take "No way in Hades" for an answer. (Maybe it isn't a Greek bunny?) I willingly admit that I misuse the term drabble sometimes for pieces over 100 words, probably because I dislike some of the other choices suggested.
When she was doing interviews, seemag asked why I enjoy writing drabbles, since I seem to do so many lately. Here's my answer reposted:
I'm very bad at having quick bursts of inspiration without following through on the idea. The road is paved with my WIPs, I'm sad to say. Drabbles appeal to be because they are ideal for those short bursts. I can write a drabble and feel like I've written something, rather than struggling to put words together. They allow me to write about obscure characters I might not normally write about. They allow me to dabble and try out fandoms to see if I can write in them. And oddly I don't feel as bad if the drabble misfires. When a longer fic receives no response, then I start moping.
So, yes, drabbles require a certain kind of writer. One willingly to "kill your darlings" and try out new approaches... one who likes a challenge, not necessarily for story prompting but for constructing the story. Am I a good drabble writer? I enjoy writing them and sometimes I'm quite proud of my little offerings. I like to think I give my best effort.