Usually, I introduce you to writers you might not otherwise know through my blog. This time, I’m going to tell you a personal secret that it often takes authors a few years to realize: a story or idea is never a one and done deal. They can often be recycled in numerous ways.
For example, the first story I ever had published, “Malicious Mischief,” featured a young married male lawyer, his mother, the players in his mother’s Mah Jongg game, and a former Nazi. The story won an award. A year later, a different version of the story and characters won another award. Four years later, when I was writing Should Have Played Poker: a Carrie Martin and the Mah Jongg Players Mystery, I realized that the main character, Carrie Martin, was going to have a complex back story. To balance the serious nature of her character for readers, I needed to introduce some form of comic relief. I tried different sidekicks, but nothing felt right. That’s when I remembered my favorite “Malicious Mischief” Mah Jongg players. Their revival became the perfect foil for Carrie.
In 2015, Bethlehem Writers Roundtable published my short story, “This Is Where I Buried My Wives.” The idea for it came from TV commercials for a dating service that had people seeking mates to enjoy a farm related life. The emphasis wasn’t on the meet-up, but what happened after the characters were building a relationship. It was a fun story to write, but nothing I intended to visit again. Then, last year, Tough Magazine announced a call for rural stories, and they were willing to take reprints. “This Is Where I Buried My Wives” seemed perfect – it was in the word count, the theme was what they were looking for, and the story was a bit different than what I thought most of the submissions would be. I sent it in. It was accepted and run. Not only was it nice to have a story find a second home, but getting a check for the tale again was also pleasing.
This month, issue 152 of Black Cat Magazine Weekly (which should publish on July 28) should feature a Barb Goffman reprint selection of “Harvey and the Red-Head.” The story was originally published in 2019 in an anthology of Texas related stories, The Eyes of Texas: Private Eyes from the Panhandle. I can’t tell you how excited I was when Barb contacted me that she wanted to republish the story. This means that new eyes will see my work. Once again, the premise of a piece not being a one and done deal will be proven true.
Finally, I recently signed a contract for publication of a collection of many of my early short stories. Watch my website, https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com, for more details. The book, with multiple tales, will underscore that a story or idea doesn’t fade away after being birthed into the world.
loved reading your column authored by you. reread, recycled and reloved. killer advice!
Thank you. I book so many guests that I don’t usually have a space left for me to write a blog – although I do on several other sites. But, this is definitely how I feel about creative work.
Thrilled for you!
Thank you.
You go, Debra!
Thanks!
Great job, Debra. I’ll have to check out the anthology!
Thank you! I’ll let you know when it comes out.
How very cool, Debra, that your characters and stories are enjoying a rebirth. Congratulations!
Thank you.