Raising the Bar, by Sandra James

16/10/2020

An email from a friend – Have you written your FFF story?

No.

Why not?

It’s the standard. It’s getting higher and higher. Comic ones are wittier and sad ones more emotional. The horror tales are getting scarier, the love stories sweeter, twists twistier and punchlines punchier! I’m afraid mine will sound bland and won’t get any likes or comments.

Well you definitely won’t if you don’t submit anything. If you keep trying you’ll get better and better, too.

Hmmm, you know you’re right, don’t you?

Yes! And, you know what that means.

Yeah, stop procrastinating and write my story…

28 Comments

Swapan k Banerjee

16/10/2020 10:14:13 am

You're continuously moving the goalpost, Sandra. Great going!

Pamela Kennedy

16/10/2020 11:05:07 am

Cute story, Sandra, and true!

Sandra James

16/10/2020 11:17:17 am

Thanks Pamela! It was inspired by a friend who really does remind me each week not to forget to send my story in, and I really have noticed the standard getting higher and higher. It's really exciting to read all the stories each week :)

Sandra James

16/10/2020 11:15:34 am

Thank you very much, Swapan! That means a lot and really helps to motivate me.

Padmini Krishnan

16/10/2020 11:13:40 am

Working hard with every post to finally succeed. A lovely story

Bobby Warner

16/10/2020 11:18:37 am

This is something we all must face each Friday. But it really is fun, isn't it!

Sandra James

16/10/2020 11:22:08 am

Oh yes, Bobby! Confidence grows with each one and it is so much fun knowing someone so far away enjoyed something you wrote. (I'm in Australia.) Thank you!

Sandra James

16/10/2020 11:19:18 am

Thanks Padmini! I am sure that the more we write, the better we write and so much fun to share them with like-minded people :)

Angela Carlton link

16/10/2020 02:17:17 pm

Good one!! Yes, we can all relate. I love it! It keeps us motivate, cheers!

Sandra James

16/10/2020 07:22:02 pm

Thanks Angela! Not only with FFF but with so many things we think ours don't compare but someone else might be reading ours and thinking the same :)

Candace Arthuria Williams

16/10/2020 03:09:26 pm

Touche, Sandra. Touche.

Sandra James

16/10/2020 07:25:16 pm

Thanks, Candace :) Sometimes we think we're alone but we never truly are!

Krystyna

16/10/2020 03:22:11 pm

Neat strategy to get comments, Sandra. lol
Worthy of every thought you masterfully described in the process of being a writer.

Sandra James

16/10/2020 07:32:20 pm

Ha, ha! Wasn't actually thinking of getting so many comments when I wrote it but truly have noticed how the standard is rising! I find myself saying 'Wow!' so many times each Friday and had the story in the back of my mind for a few weeks.
Thanks, Krystyna!

Susan F. Reid

16/10/2020 05:07:40 pm

Good story.

Sandra James

16/10/2020 07:33:06 pm

Thanks, Susan. Glad you enjoyed it and I do appreciate the comment.

phyllis souza

16/10/2020 06:06:44 pm

You bet, write your story. Like this!

Sandra James

16/10/2020 07:38:13 pm

Thanks, Phyllis :) Hopefully a good reminder to myself next time I procrastinate!

Doug

16/10/2020 06:19:42 pm

Nicely done and motivational too. Thanks for sharing that.

Sandra James

16/10/2020 07:40:41 pm

Thanks, Doug. I hope it motivates anyone who worries their work isn't 'good' enough.

Paritosh Chandra Dugar

16/10/2020 07:15:58 pm

That's the secret of becoming a great writer. Well captured, Sandra.

Sandra James

16/10/2020 07:43:27 pm

Thanks, Paritosh. I know over the years I have often been disappointed when a story or poem didn't go as well as I hoped, didn't make the shortlist or win a prize but each effort helps to make us better writers and we learn :) Thanks again!

Mary Wallace

16/10/2020 08:21:29 pm

Nice one Sandra. Made me smile.

Sandra James

17/10/2020 03:52:52 am

Thanks, Mary. Glad it made you smile and I think I avoided the swear jar!
(For those who don't know us - members of our writing group here in Australia have to donate to our special jar if we say anything negative about our own work!)

Sue Clayton

17/10/2020 02:42:26 am

Sandra, your inspirational words will have gone viral throughout the flash fiction community. I do hope Gordon can cope with the doubling of efforts.

Sandra James

17/10/2020 03:56:12 am

Thanks, Sue, and take a bow for you are the one who reminds me every Friday to get my story in! Not that I've missed for the reasons in the story yet but I really have noticed a huge rise in the standard. There were always some really good stories but now there are so many 'great' stories.

Don Tassone link

20/10/2020 02:09:08 pm

The bar is raised. Well done, Sandra.

Susan Reid

5/11/2020 08:30:49 pm

I'm raising my bar. In fact, I quoted your "raising the bar" line in a comment.

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