Comments on: Why write short stories? http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories Where Words Meet Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:39:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Caitlin D. http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10121 Caitlin D. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:19:09 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10121 Short stories are so much easier than writing a novel. I've tried, and I end up digging my brains out. Truly, I think it's because I'm very poetic, and short stories, for me, can be just like poems, only with characters, you know? Like, it's just a perfect medium with my poetic-ness and my passion for storytelling. :) Short stories are so much easier than writing a novel. I’ve tried, and I end up digging my brains out. Truly, I think it’s because I’m very poetic, and short stories, for me, can be just like poems, only with characters, you know? Like, it’s just a perfect medium with my poetic-ness and my passion for storytelling. :)

]]> By: Marcy Italiano http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10042 Marcy Italiano Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:50:21 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10042 I started out writing poetry and short stories and I think some success with either or both of those is a great first step. Publication and dealing with different kinds of markets/publishers/editors teaches a write a LOT before venturing on to bigger projects and a little confidence gets built up. My second book is coming out, I've written two more (one which might be put in a drawer for good) and my short story writing has slowed quite a bit, but not stopped. A novel is a large project and you're looking at a huge personal commitment. Short stories bring some relief when you get to write "The End" and send it off a little faster, and although the pay isn't going to buy me a house the sense of accomplishment goes far. Not all ideas are monumental, not all characters are meant to be flushed out with friends and family, and sometimes a witty idea is best expressed in ten pages. :) I started out writing poetry and short stories and I think some success with either or both of those is a great first step. Publication and dealing with different kinds of markets/publishers/editors teaches a write a LOT before venturing on to bigger projects and a little confidence gets built up.

My second book is coming out, I’ve written two more (one which might be put in a drawer for good) and my short story writing has slowed quite a bit, but not stopped. A novel is a large project and you’re looking at a huge personal commitment. Short stories bring some relief when you get to write “The End” and send it off a little faster, and although the pay isn’t going to buy me a house the sense of accomplishment goes far.

Not all ideas are monumental, not all characters are meant to be flushed out with friends and family, and sometimes a witty idea is best expressed in ten pages. :)

]]> By: edwin mcrae http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10034 edwin mcrae Fri, 18 Apr 2008 06:48:54 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10034 At the moment, it's a great diversion from TV writing, a chance to say something in my own voice without having to take time off from my writing day job. And, writing short stories was how I got into writing in the first place. Can't say I've made much money out of them, but I find they're a great way to explore ideas, some of which mutate and grow into plays, films or novels. At the moment, it’s a great diversion from TV writing, a chance to say something in my own voice without having to take time off from my writing day job. And, writing short stories was how I got into writing in the first place. Can’t say I’ve made much money out of them, but I find they’re a great way to explore ideas, some of which mutate and grow into plays, films or novels.

]]> By: Gerard Houarner http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10029 Gerard Houarner Fri, 18 Apr 2008 02:51:10 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10029 I also love writing short stories, in part because they "keep my name out there" (for whatever that's worth), and more importantly because they allow me to experiment with style, characters, ideas. I've used tricks I learned in short work on longer pieces, and discovered things I like to write about (and things I didn't) while hopping around in the short story markets. At least in the sf field, short stories have always been the place where fresh ideas and styles first emerge. Horror and fantasy seem more novel-oriented in terms of making an impact on critics and fans. What do you think? As for short stories, I'm afraid that with markets tightening there just doesn't seem to be much to gain anymore -- though I'm sure I'll keep trying. I also love writing short stories, in part because they “keep my name out there” (for whatever that’s worth), and more importantly because they allow me to experiment with style, characters, ideas. I’ve used tricks I learned in short work on longer pieces, and discovered things I like to write about (and things I didn’t) while hopping around in the short story markets. At least in the sf field, short stories have always been the place where fresh ideas and styles first emerge. Horror and fantasy seem more novel-oriented in terms of making an impact on critics and fans. What do you think? As for short stories, I’m afraid that with markets tightening there just doesn’t seem to be much to gain anymore — though I’m sure I’ll keep trying.

]]> By: Thomas Sullivan http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10025 Thomas Sullivan Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:16:54 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10025 On the mark, Bev. Was going to write "on the money," but that's the point. Very little money in short stories. I did about 80 of them, never sold one for less than 5-10 cents/word,and got a lot of attention quickly. In fact, it was the listing of one of my short stories in the top 10 horror stories of all time that caused me to write a novel in that genre, at the behest of four different editors. But, as you say, once you've built a rep, there is very little another story will add to it. I'd love to do a collection of short stories, but that's a hard market to approach over the transom. And I love writing them, if I could just justify the time and effort. Can't unless it's sold before I write it. So now I simply respond if a collection or publication makes a request. Cemetery Dance will be bringing out a short story of mine this year that came out that way, but that's the only one I have in the hopper. Seems counterintuitive that the short story market isn't more self-sustaining. -- Sully On the mark, Bev. Was going to write “on the money,” but that’s the point. Very little money in short stories. I did about 80 of them, never sold one for less than 5-10 cents/word,and got a lot of attention quickly. In fact, it was the listing of one of my short stories in the top 10 horror stories of all time that caused me to write a novel in that genre, at the behest of four different editors. But, as you say, once you’ve built a rep, there is very little another story will add to it. I’d love to do a collection of short stories, but that’s a hard market to approach over the transom. And I love writing them, if I could just justify the time and effort. Can’t unless it’s sold before I write it. So now I simply respond if a collection or publication makes a request. Cemetery Dance will be bringing out a short story of mine this year that came out that way, but that’s the only one I have in the hopper. Seems counterintuitive that the short story market isn’t more self-sustaining.

– Sully

]]> By: Peter S http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10020 Peter S Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:25:49 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10020 Great essay. I feel the same way, though I have not yet attempted a novel or have enough publishing credits to call myself a writer yet. I love short stories too and I agree with agonizing over every word and sentence. Writing a novel right now seems very daunting to me, though I do have three chapters of what could be a novel someday. Until then I will continue to sharpen my skills with the short stories. Great essay. I feel the same way, though I have not yet attempted a novel or have enough publishing credits to call myself a writer yet. I love short stories too and I agree with agonizing over every word and sentence. Writing a novel right now seems very daunting to me, though I do have three chapters of what could be a novel someday. Until then I will continue to sharpen my skills with the short stories.

]]> By: Robert Jones http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10018 Robert Jones Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:19:10 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10018 Short pieces usually seem more difficult to write than do long ones. They require more concentrated thought from me to present what I want to say with few words, and the result is almost always better. Given that, I must conclude that writing short pieces sharpens my ability to write generally. Fine piece, Bev. RCJ Short pieces usually seem more difficult to write than do long ones. They require more concentrated thought from me to present what I want to say with few words, and the result is almost always better. Given that, I must conclude that writing short pieces sharpens my ability to write generally.

Fine piece, Bev.

RCJ

]]> By: Dave Wilson http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10016 Dave Wilson Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:27:52 +0000 http://www.storytellersunplugged.com/why-write-short-stories#comment-10016 Bev, I long ago decided that I would have to accept my addiction to short fiction along with writing novels, or I'd do neither. Oddly, they have blended. Now, sometimes, I start what I think is a story and it stretches into a novel...or an old short story suddenly falls into a bigger pit of epiphany and BECOMES a novel... The bottom line, though, is that I seem to have some talent with short stories, and I enjoy writing AND reading them. After publishing over 150 of the silly things, they are part of who I am as a writer... It's the same with poetry, though I've diverged from that path without even making it to the yellow wood -- I seldom spend time on poetry, and at times I miss that too. Diversity keeps us honest. D Bev, I long ago decided that I would have to accept my addiction to short fiction along with writing novels, or I’d do neither. Oddly, they have blended. Now, sometimes, I start what I think is a story and it stretches into a novel…or an old short story suddenly falls into a bigger pit of epiphany and BECOMES a novel…

The bottom line, though, is that I seem to have some talent with short stories, and I enjoy writing AND reading them. After publishing over 150 of the silly things, they are part of who I am as a writer…

It’s the same with poetry, though I’ve diverged from that path without even making it to the yellow wood — I seldom spend time on poetry, and at times I miss that too. Diversity keeps us honest.

D

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