“I’d hate to try to learn the craft on a novel. Novels take so very long to write, and one inevitably learns so much from the act of writing. But you can learn those same things a lot faster from the short story.” – Sharelle Byars Moranville

This quote was used this week in the e-newsletter of the Institute of Children’s Literature (so I’m not all that original of a thinker).

All of this is to say that we have a pub date for my next short story: “A Real-Life Blonde Cherokee And His Equally-Annoyed Soul Mate” by Cynthia Leitich Smith from THE MOCCASIN TELEGRAPH: AMERICAN INDIAN STORIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS edited by Lori M. Carlson (HarperCollins, fall 2005)(ages 12-up).

I’ve had two short previous stories published, both middle grades: “The Gentleman Cowboy” by Cynthia Leitich Smith, PERIOD PIECES: STORIES FOR GIRLS edited by Erzsi Deak and Kristin Litchman (Harper, 2003); “The Naked Truth” by Cynthia Leitich Smith, IN MY GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE: AWARD-WINNING AUTHORS TELL STORIES ABOUT THEIR GRANDMOTHERS, edited and illustrated by Bonnie Christensen (Harper, 2003).

In addition, Cicada magazine has picked up another young adult short story, but I don’t have a pub date on that yet.

I’ve enjoyed working on the short stories but have been passing on more recent anthology invitations. They’re fun to write and offer a (relatively) safer venue to experiment–hence my male POV and upper YA efforts, which have triggered new directions. But they’re also time consuming, and at this point, it makes more sense to concentrate on novels.

Picked up two mesquite cow-hide chairs at Mi Casa Gallery; swing by and check out the expansion/rennovation.

Tried Uchi last night. According to the public and critic reviews, it’s supposed to be fantastic. And it is. Innovative, tremendous service, hip ambiance. Perfect for a big night out on the town, but Mushashino’s still rules on the actual cuts and quality of fish.