2nd Draft - Short Story

**Timmy** · June 5th, 2011

Hey SKMB,

IN OW, King says to stuff a recently completed novel in a drawer and forget about it for six weeks. After that period, he says you can take it out, brush it off, and begin the second draft...

I'm wondering if the same policy holds true for short stories??? I'm about mid way through a new short I've been working on that will wrap this week... It's gonna end up being around ten thousand words (5K current), that will get cut to nine - or maybe even eight - thousand.

My question is if Stephen would recommend the same period between (six weeks) short story drafts as he does novels... Or, if maybe a week or two would suffice. I feel like I could jump right into the rewrite as soon as this is done... Due to the length.

Any thoughts?

thanks!
Timmy
p.s. I'm pretty excited about this one and don't want to F it up...

**Moderator** · June 6th, 2011

It's really about giving yourself enough time to become less emotionally attached to the story so you can see it objectively. Six weeks isn't a hard and fast rule--it's what works best for him, but if you think you can do it in less time, then go for it. I'm not sure if it would make any difference whether it's a short story or a novel--it's about the objectivity to be critical.

**Timmy** · June 6th, 2011

Awesome!! Thanks, Ms. Mod.

**Timmy** · June 10th, 2011

Ohhh, Ms. Mod. One other question along the same lines... S.K. mentions he does a polish which has become a third draft... Does he have another gap (wait period) between the second and third draft, or is that not really necessary? Probably sounds trivial, but I feel like this is a better quality project than the previous stuff I've done and don't want to screw it up...

Thanks!
Tim

**Moderator** · June 10th, 2011

No, he doesn't usually wait to do the editing then. By that point, the editors have become involved so there's more immediate back/forth interaction in the editing process.

**Timmy** · June 10th, 2011

Got it. Thanks.

**GNTLGNT** · June 12th, 2011

Editors=Regulators.....

**Timmy** · June 13th, 2011

Right on.

**mofury** · October 5th, 2011

I'm held by a fidget when i look at the drawer. I usually let it pass with a cigarette. Would you say I'm not quite emotionally detached enough just yet?

**JohnDalglish** · October 5th, 2011

Originally Posted by mofury

I'm held by a fidget when i look at the drawer. I usually let it pass with a cigarette. Would you say I'm not quite emotionally detached enough just yet?

Hi,

Yes, and stop smoking.

Emphysema REALLY hurts!

Sorry (he lied).

Long days and pleasant nights