I made a commitment last week to re-work one of my short stories and submit it to a local magazine.  I thought it would be a slam dunk, an easy way to sneak a submission past my irrationally fearful subconscious.

I looked over the story, then checked the writers’ guidelines.  And there was the block: 1,500 word limit.  My story is 2,750 words, and though I’m a fan of the “cut by a third” mantra, I don’t think the story would survive being cut nearly in half.

I have a week to write a new story and meet my commitment.