The Story Factory

  • Seven on a Saturday

    “A lonely, isolated childhood isn’t a prerequisite for a writing life, of course, but it certainly helped.” – Dani Shapiro. “[You write out of the] desire to seem clever, to be talked about, to be remembered after death, etc., etc., etc. It is humbug to pretend this is not a motive and a strong one.”…

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  • The Art of the Short Story

    It’s time to look at the next story in the anthology, The Art of the Short Story. This week’s story is another by Raymond Carver. I had read A Good Small Thing in the past, but somehow this time, it got me even more. The story is a tale that begins with a humble birthday…

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  • Wednesday Production Report

    Here at the Story Factory, we value quantity over quality. More words, more hours, more stories. The goal is 52 stories at the end of the year. So far, we are on target. Which, I know, isn’t much to say at this point of the year, but on the other hand, this time last year,…

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  • Tool Time Tuesday

    It’s Tuesday! Let’s talk about fun gadgets that make writing easier, more productive or just plain fun. So I was just enamored with these little guys. Not quite sure where I first saw them, but now I have a family of four. Two at the day job and two at home aka The Story Factory.…

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  • Monday Musings

    It was a pseudo exciting day around my house. Our county has decided that when there are open appointments for Covid-19 vaccines not claimed by those in the “included categories,” they will open the free times up to those 18 and up. Which means both of my sons would be able to sign up for…

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  • 7 on a Saturday

    It’s Saturday, but instead of searching the internet for seven fun/informative links to share, I’m giving you seven photos from my hike today! The weather was perfect and it was fun to see spring starting to pop up here and there.

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  • The Art of the Short Story

    This year I am reading The Art of the Short Story by Dana Gioia and R. S. Gwynn. There are 52 stories and essays from 52 writers, and I am focusing on one each week. This week’s story is Cathedral, by Raymond Carver.Carver is said to be a master of the craft, and this story…

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  • Wednesday Production Report

    “As for ‘Write what you know,’ I was regularly told this as a beginner. I think it’s a very good rule and have always obeyed it. I write about imaginary countries, alien societies on other planets, dragons, wizards, the Napa Valley in 22002. I know these things. I know them better than anybody else possibly…

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  • Tuesday Tool Time – A To Z Theme Reveal

    I am using the word tool loosely here. One of my favorite challenges through the years has been the April A to Z challenge at the A to Z Challenge. I have made about four attempts so far but have not been able to finish this challenge yet. This year, well, this is my year! The…

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  • 7 on a Saturday

    Laura Vanderkam suggests planning weekend adventures. We tried it. https://forge.medium.com/the-weekend-experiment-that-will-change-your-life-a357562193a2 A little late, but I desperately needed to go for a hike in the woods this weekend. Feeling the dirt crunch under my feet for five hours was much-needed medicine, even with the woman who let everyone on the trail know about her upcoming hip…

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