Summary

An author on Medium reaches out to fellow fiction writers, sharing their struggle with a lack of enjoyment in writing fiction, and seeks insights into others' creative processes and strategies.

Abstract

The author, who has published fiction on Medium, expresses a personal challenge in finding joy in writing fiction despite having ideas and not suffering from writer's block. They mention their admiration for other Medium fiction writers such as JA Vassili, Alan Asnen, Lucy Socha, Richard Steele, and MN, and acknowledge the fun these writers seem to have in their craft. The author has even co-edited a fiction publication called "Pure Fiction." They ask the Medium fiction writing community to share their creative processes, the balance of fun and work in their writing, and any strategies that help them consistently produce fiction. The author also references MN's extensive "Little Red" series and other beloved books that appeal to both children and adults, using them as examples of the kind of fiction they appreciate. The article concludes with a thank you to potential respondents and links to fictional stories by the aforementioned writers, as well as some of the author's own fiction works.

Opinions

The author is inspired by other writers who seem to enjoy the process of writing fiction.
They believe that there is value in understanding the diverse creative processes of other fiction writers.
The author does not currently experience writer's block but rather a lack of enjoyment in the writing process.
They see fiction writing as a blend of fun and work, with the fun aspect often emerging once deeply engaged in the story.
The author holds a high regard for fiction that transcends age, citing works like "The Little Prince" and "The Alchemist" as examples.
They are looking for authentic insights rather than right or wrong answers about the creative process.
The author appreciates the Medium community and is actively seeking engagement and advice from fellow writers.

FICTION WRITING|INSPIRATION

Open Letter To Those Who Write Any Kind Of Fiction Stories

Whether you’re a novice, amateur, “dabbler” or professional, this one’s for you

Dearest Writers of Fiction,

One of my dreams in life is to write and publish a fictional tale, yet my drive to even practice fiction writing is at an all-time low.

Some of my favorite writers here on Medium write fiction:

JA Vassili, Alan Asnen, Lucy Socha, Richard Steele, MN

I’ve even started a fiction publication called Pure Fiction, which is Vassili’s brainchild that I brought to life, but for which I am merely a co-editor.

Pure Fiction

This publication is a non-judgemental nurturing space for fiction writers of all levels and experience. We welcome…

medium.com

I haven’t published a fictional story in months…since the Medium Writers Challenge last August, and even then, it was by accident.

That story was going to be non-fiction, but due to its provocative subject matter, I decided to turn it into fiction.

There are a couple of other fictional stories I’ve published since that one, but I had already written the bulk of them, so I don’t count them.

I don’t have “writer’s block”. I have plenty of ideas of what I can write.

It’s the FUN in it that I find myself lacking…

I recently asked Alan Asnen about a fictional story from which he recently shared an excerpt on Medium.

Sticking Your Finger Where

Up your nose with a rubber rose

medium.com

I asked him if he had fun writing it and he told me that he had “tremendous fun”!

There are times I’ve felt that while writing fiction, even more than non-fiction which comes more naturally to me.

But it doesn’t usually happen until I’m knee-deep in the story.

So tell me…

please…

pretty please…

What does your creative process look like when it comes to fiction?

Is it more fun or more work for you or an equal balance of both?

I want more of what you’re having that enables you to churn out as much fiction as you do on a regular basis.

For example, MN has an ongoing fictional series called “Little Red”.

Little Red

(Preface)

medium.com

There are 44 of them to date?! I’ve read a little more than half and love them.

They remind me of some of my favorite books that are written for children AND adults.

The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Hope For The Butterflies, by Trina Paulus
The Tao of Pooh, by Benjamin Hoff
The Te of Piglet, by Benjamin Hoff
The Alchemist, by Paolo Coehlo
Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach

There are no “right” or “wrong” answers.

I’m simply looking for some AUTHENTIC answers about fiction writers’ creative processes, attitudes, perspectives, and possible strategies.

What better way than going right to the source?

Thank you in advance, to all who choose to respond.

Fictional stories to check out from the other writers I mentioned:

Richard Steele

The Witch, the God, and the Siren

In which the fallen deity faces his bete noir and concludes his quest.

medium.com

Lucy Socha

Liam Neeson is a Dream Boat

I met Liam a long time ago.

medium.com

JA Vassili

THE LOCKET

In the spring Miriam died from an evil liver and her family attended the funeral.

medium.com

4 Fictional stories of mine:

The Weirdest Thing Happened on the Train

Was it real, a dream, or am I seeing dead people??

medium.com

When You Can’t Get No (Permanent) Satisfaction

Because you try and you try and you try

medium.com

Somewhere Under the Rainbow

An unusual coming of age tale about coming out

medium.com

A Night in the Life of Foxy Roxy

A tall tale of bushy tails

medium.com

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Join Medium with my referral link - KL Simmons

As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…

klsimmons.medium.com