I want to submit a short story in the annual Nelson Algren Literary Awards competition, but I have not been able to settle on a story line. That’s the hardest thing for me as a writer. Once I have a plot idea, I can usually run with it; however, story ideas elude me.

I’ve read and heard other writers say they have more ideas than time to write all the stories. That has never been my problem.

This particular short story can have up to 8,000 words. I have written more than 4,000 words in one day, but the January 31 deadline is approaching and I will be in trouble if I don’t think of a story idea soon.

I thought I had an idea this morning, but it’s not working. In the words of Scarlett O’Hara, “Tomorrow is another day.”