Page 140 - Where the Dream Ends ebook

Marc Erdrich

at every step along the way. The only way to avoid disappoint-
ment is to be prepared at every moment for completion, i.e.
make every word count. (780 words)

George concluded his story at 780 words. He affixed his
name, address, telephone number, and word count to the top
of the page, avoiding the temptation to use left and right jus-
tification, or a fancy font, knowing from experience that edi-
tor’s like simplicity. Ultimately, he printed the piece in Courier,
a bland typewriter face. He addressed the envelope in long
hand, resisting the temptation to use the computer, since ev-
eryone knows the one thing computer software developers are
unable to do is make it easy to type an envelope and have it
print correctly. He attached the entry fee, and was stuffing the
manuscript into the envelope when the power returned. There
were still two hours before the last mail pickup. What to do?
(906 words)

Anyone who has ever “finished” a job and discovers, a while
later, that some small thing was left undone knows how George
was feeling now. He knew if he worked more on the piece, he
could improve it. But he was done with it. While he didn’t
accomplish what he set out to do, he brought home a point,
an important one at that. But fate put a twist into George’s
assignment: If, in fact, he had made every word count in less
than 1500 words, why was there any reason to go on? On the
other hand, if he continued on, as fate seemed to be calling
him, then he could succeed in two goals: that of reaching the
precise limit of 1500 words, while showing his audience of ed-
itors and readers that brevity could come in several flavors, in
this case a short short story as well as a short short short (sic)
version. (1064 words)

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