A Work in Progress

Writing short stories in a kind of writing shorthand. You can't get lost in the details, but find ways to describe the main character's world with short hints and references.

Short stories should focus on an important event in the main character's life. Novels should focus on an important time in the main character's life.

There were was definite diversity in the opinions of the writers in terms of outlining or not, plot over character or not.

Assume that the editor will read only the first page and the last page when making a decision whether or not to consider your story further.

The general consensus seemed to be that 70% of their time was spent on the first draft vs. editing and revising additional drafts.

(I like Connie Willis' stories. She would scare me as a writing instructor.)