Scott C. Martin

Until October 1 of this year, I will be completing and posting a new short story every Friday. 13 stories in 13 weeks. Why? I need the practice.

Okay, that's the short reason. If you want to know more, read on. If not, I hope you'll consider coming back this Friday morning, checking out the short story, and giving me some feedback and criticism.

Rebooting my amateur creative life

I've been gainfully employed since my college graduation in 1996, and I enjoy a reasonably satisfied work life. In my free time, I have written or co-written over 150 songs, participated in February Album Writing Month and Fifty Songs in Ninety Days, and finished National Novel Writing Month twice. I also get together with friends about once a month for a loud jam session.

I'm pretty happy with my curriculum vitae as a creative amateur. My hobbies have given me balance, and have been good for every aspect of my life. I've made lots of friends during these challenges, and I've also been able to deepen friendships and family ties that I've had for decades. I recognize the joy that these activities bring me.

But I'm getting bored.

Ain't no water in the well (and the creek's run dry)

The last several times I sat down to write a song, I felt a resistance that I couldn't pin down. I thought it was writer's block, or maybe some kind of a funk (and not the good kind). I now know it's boredom, plain and simple.

Same thing happened the last time I tried NaNoWriMo, which was in 2007. I'd conquered that challenge, and didn't feel compelled to conquer it again. Lots of people do get something out of completing the same challenge multiple times. I don't think I'm one of those people.

The only creative activity I still thoroughly enjoy is the monthly jam session, but scheduling conflicts have meant that we sometimes go two or three months without meeting. I needed something I could do on my own.

(Re)Enter writing fiction, and the terror that ensued

For the last few months, I've been waking up willingly at 5:45 AM to spend about an hour writing. It has given me my creative spark back. I love it. To deepen my experience and to get some feedback, I decided to take a class at The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. While completing a short story to hand out to the class for critique, I discovered something I did not expect.

Sheer, unadulterated terror.

Though I've overcome the fear of singing in front of strangers and posting songs for the review of superior musicians, showing my creative writing to others opened up a previously hidden vein of dread.

My classmates were very generous and supportive, and gave me a lot of great tips. As awesome as that feedback was, a more important gift appeared to me. I have uncovered a whole new zone of fear to exploit.

Following the fear

Many of my songwriting peers are enjoying Fifty Songs in Ninety Days right now. I've decided to piggyback on their idea with my own 13 Stories in 90 Days Challenge. I will write and post 13 short stories in the (almost) thirteen weeks between July 4 and October 13 (and yes, I'm already off to a late start!). I will plumb my fear of other people reading my work by facing that possibility week after week.

Although I'll try my best, I don't know if they'll be any good. Anyone who has completed Nanowrimo or FAWM (or 50/90) will understand the freedom of releasing the crap as it comes. Some of you who have read this far might think that's a waste of time. That's okay. I would, however, urge you to give one of those challenges a try before you pass judgement. You've got nothing to lose.

The only thing I have to lose is another layer of senseless fear. Let's see what happens! See you bright and early on Friday morning.

Special thanks

I'd like to thank my wife for seeing me through doubt, my family and many creative friends for encouraging me, and to Denys Gareau, Ben Carroll, and Greg Wright for following through on their own creative cliff dives in very inspirational ways.