Inspiration

I just finished reading an anthology, Tides of Possibility. I truly enjoyed it and am inspired by what I read. Now this is a science fiction anthology which I LOVE to read, but don't write. However even things that aren't in the genre I am writing, can inspire me to write more and better.
The stories were thought provoking and well written. Many of them I craved more to read about the story and by the author. I have been reading many short stories lately to help me write my own. I find short stories start to get away from me and I have multiple story lines going like a novel. So inspiration can come from a myriad of places. Last week driving through South Texas with my mom, sister, and kids I was inspired by the landscape.
So here is the anthology and I highly suggest you get it, read it, and love it!
Tides Of Possibility

How short is short?

I currently have to two novels working in my brain as well as a short story. However as I delve into writing short stories there is some confusion. How short is a short story? I have seen flash contest for 500 word stories. That boggles my mind. I did find a contest for 1,500 words. I wrote a 1,500-word story. The issue seems that I don’t seem to hit my stride until around 700 words. The first 1,500 words are stiff, according to my beta reader (my husband Jarrod). However, I wrote the character as stiff in the beginning. Is the stiffness from me or the character? I found it hard to get my point across in so few words. Yes, writing 750, a day has stymied me, but I wasn’t trying to tell half a story in those 750. I will have to see, I am submitting it to this contest. The deadline is November so I have time to refine and sharpen the story. Wish me luck!

Short story, tall order

I have begun a short story. The thinking being that I can finish it quicker and start getting critiques on my writing and learn what I do wrong, what I do right, and where to go for the help I need. I went with a genre I am comfortable with, fantasy.
However, I am thinking about where to take the story and how to get there in a short story format. I am trying to let the story flow and take me where it wants to go.
That is all, I'm off to write.