There is an emptiness that creeps into you when a major project is completed. Because you define your life by work, accomplishment, and completion. When you’re not working on a novel or a history project or some other creative exploit, when you’re only working the day job, you find yourself questioning your identity.
You call this The Big Empty.
And this is how you fill it: with doubt, self-hatred, redoubled efforts to promote, brainstorming projects, revising old ones, bugging your agent, reading other people’s success stories, gaming a strategy for the future, checking in with friends in similar circumstances.
Some of these are bad. Some good. Others, meh. But you are old enough to know that there is no precious time in your life where only good things thrive. In fact, most of life is riddled in decay and failure as much as success. Everything at all times is a dance of emotional highs and lows. How we react to them, so say the Buddhist, Stoics, and others, is where we have a modicum of control.
You remind yourself of this because the Big Empty is here. And the biggest waste in this space is one word.
FAILURE.
Whatever success you’ve had is matched by a negative. Got a book out? The sales suck. Good sales? Where’s the next major deal? Good deal? Shouldn’t you be working on improving your dayjobbery?
There is no good in your life that can fill the Big Empty. Because it is bottomless.
Beside the Big Empty is a laptop and a good chair (though not a great one). On your screen is the infinite horizon called Next.
You create a constellation. Novels. History books. Short stories. Each is a black star against the infinite white.
With the Big Empty at your back, you map what’s next against the infinite to see what fucking shape will emerge.
And the Big Empty starts to shrink.
Sign up prior to March 31, 2021 to receive access to 365 Days of Flash Fiction Writing Prompts! (See Patreon for details)
Receives weekly links to new stories, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and our undying love.
Receives Monthly discount code for a free download of our current issue, plus benefits from lower levels
Join our monthly chat/”ask me anything,” plus benefits from lower levels
Get a shout-out in our monthly editorial, plus benefits from lower levels
Receive a monthly prize, which may include critiques, digital or physical swag, or other special events, plus benefits from lower levels
Receive one flash fiction critique per month, exclusive polls, an opportunity to “sponsor-a-story,” plus all the benefits of lower levels!
Flash Fiction Online is a free online magazine that pays professional rates. So how do we make that happen? It’s due to the generosity of readers like you.
Here are some ways you can help:
Sign up to become a monthly donor. Read more…
Never miss an issue! E-reader formats delivered to your inbox. Available from WeightlessBooks.com
Each of our issues and anthologies are available in convenient e-reader formats (epub/mobi/pdf). Available from the Flash Fiction Online Store, WeightlessBooks, and Amazon.
Consider a one-time gift that fits your budget.
Have a product, service, or website our readers might enjoy? Ad space available on the website and in our e-reader issues. Sponsored posts opportunities are also available. Learn more…
Love one of our stories or articles? Share it with a friend!