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The Imp in my Corner

  • Written on
  • This post is about the short story The Corner Imp

I started this story just after submitting A Successful San Francisco Startup to a podcast. It was a tough one to write.

When I have an idea for a story, I usually outline a general structure with a word limit in mind and start writing with these:

  1. Follow a prompt and write everyday for a set amount of time (usually 30 minutes to an hour)
  2. Write a prompt of about two or three bullet points for the next day
  3. Read it, but never edit until the first draft is done

This was a good process for some of my other stories (I have a couple marinating in a folder) except for this one. Step three was the killer. I couldn’t help but write myself in. I was the one stuck in the basement, reading rejection letter after rejection letter. So reading this piece was a bit too close to personal history.

I ended up having to put this piece down every couple of days but I’m glad I didn’t give up on it. I think writing pieces like this helps me stay away from the Imp in my corner.