Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012
As part of my own 2012 goals, I've decided to focus more on my short stories than on novel writing. I still plan to revise/edit my women's fiction trilogy, but I have two novella's and several shorts I'd like to complete and query.
I wasn't able to participate in Jamie Gold's short story pitch contest, simply b/c all my short stories are out on submission (yay) or not completed yet. So I missed out on a great opportunity.
However, the advice she posted on why you should write short stories has excellent tips for those considering testing their skills at short stories, or even for those like me who need a little extra incentive or refresher on the benefits.
Of course, it helps to read short stories occassionally to realize how engaging they can be. Who doesn't like to have some reading material available for that 15 minute wait in the grocery/bank/whatever line, waiting for the bus/subway, the commute to work, break/lunch time, or sitting on the potty. E-book readers/aps are great for never being without a quick read for whatever you need filler time for not being BORED. But, you can always keep a paper book in the glove compartment or door pouch.,
Some of my favorite short story publications are: Bewildering Stories, Short Story America, eFiction Magazine, Narrative Magazine, An Honest Lie, Beneath Ceasless Skies, Clarks World, Glimmer Train, Smoke Long Quarterly. You could also visit duotrop.com to search for short story publishers. I typed in "short story publications" in a search engine and came up with this list, as well as a host of others.
I've also found that writing flash fiction can kick start a short story or novella idea. Two places with prompts I use for this purpose are Three Word Wednesday (3WW) and Romantic Friday Writers (RFW). 3WW has a new three word prompt every week and RFW is now posting bi monthly. Neither site required consistent participation or that you post on the exact day; just sign up on the linky with your direct link after you have written/posted, and enjoy the other participants entries.
This week's 3WW words are: bubble, lumber, wreck
RFW theme for 1/27: Learning to Dance When Its Over
21 comments:
I have a brevity problem (ladies, take note). Short stories just get away from me. I should work on this.
Yeah I tend to go on and on too, I keep getting ideas and a full fledged book is done before I'm through.
Good idea. Lots of luck.
mood
I used to write short stories all the time. I should try my hand at them again. I already have about a dozen mini-outlines lying in wait.
Roger Zelazny wrote some of my favorite short stories of all time. So did Tracy Hickman (come to think of it). I loved the short story "A stone's throw away".
Last short stories I read were M. Pax's and Roland Yeoman's. As you said, great for when you just a short burst with a finish.
Crap, did that make any sense?
I love writing short stories, but admit to not reading them as much - but now that I've got my eReader I bet that'll change. :)
Hey, your timing on this is great - I just started a forum topic over at Celery Tree about opportunities for publishing short stories, and I'm going to bop over and link this post there. Thanks!
I enjoy writing short stories as well. They can really serve as a useful diversion when I'm stuck on my novel.
You're a lot braver than you think Josh, and it shows on your blog.
I wish more of my flash and short story concepts developed into full novels Pat. You're mind is so active, I'm not surprised you have more long stories than short :)
Thanks Moody :)
Diane; mini outlines are so easy to turn into short stories. And there is lots of opportunities for submission and payment. You'd be so great at it.
I've read Tracy Hickman novels, I'll have to try her short stories. She's an awesome author. I'd love to collaborate on a story with her someday . .
Alex: "great for when you just NEED a burst with a finish" perhaps. I get you.
Thanks Nicki :) Hey, I'll go see what's up with Celery Tree . .
My thoughts exactly Don. I've loved your short excerpts on your blog; the scenes are so complete. Someday I'd love to read an actual short story :)
.......dhole
All the very best with this.
I am no writer, I'm just a typist.
Great advice and I do agree. The idea that flash fiction often inspires ideas for longer treatments is absolutely spot on. I get that all the time.
you know I'm a sucker for anything romantic... even romcoms are my guilty pleasure :)
I always thought I couldn't write short stories but lately, it's all I've been doing. I might change my focus for a bit, I think.
Talk about minds running along the same track. I went into the Celery Tree forum where I had responded to to Nicki Elson, and saw your comment...and came over here.
Wow. I posted yesterday on my blog about how I'm going to start writing "stories" from my childhood. I love this form. It has always been my favorite. My son once told me I'm better with this form than the longer one!
If only there were more markets for the novella, my next favorite. The novella form was "in" decades ago in Redbook magazine (through the 70s, I think. Sigh, that good short fiction outlet has gone the way of the world, but I have yellowing in my files an edition of Redbook's Famous Fiction that I occasionally dip into. Read, read short stories to get the feel of them. That's what we must do if we want to write them. I've begun dipping, again, into The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway, a used/like new print copy I bought a few months ago. I would say put him first on the reading list also.
Great post, Dona. It really got me going!
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs
I love short stories! They have to have just as much complexity and immediacy as a novel, but there isn't any room for waste. They have to be tight.
I think your story writing goals sound like a great challenge. Good luck!
Hello!
I found writing short stories made my long writing much more engaging. I joined in with the Fridayflash mob on twitter for a while. But now I'm focusing only books and only fine time to write the odd piece of flash.
I wish you well.
X
Hello!
I found writing short stories made my long writing much more engaging. I joined in with the Fridayflash mob on twitter for a while. But now I'm focusing only books and only fine time to write the odd piece of flash.
I wish you well.
X
I've written a few short stories, but mostly I concentrate on novels. I can see how it would be a good writerly exercise to do a short story once in a while, however! Especially if it kicks off an idea for a novel. ;o)
Hello Lass; thanks for stopping by.
Love your flash and shorts Simon. I can't wait to see something longer from you :)
Ah Dezzy; everyone has a guilty pleasure :)
Sarah; short stories can't may help give you a writing boost. I find I need to be able to complete a project sometimes, and short stories provide that opportunity :)
Anne: I believe the markets are out there; authors just need to be dedicated to finding them. One reason why I like Milo Fowler's Write1Sub1 site. He always reports on obscure flash/short story/novella prospects. I think your memoire short could be a great idea. Uhm, have you tried Vine Leaves? (Oh dang, I should have listed this!) L'Aussie Denise published there; it is vignettes - more of a feeling/setting than a complete story. Might be a good start for you to stretch your writing talents.
Hello Michelle, so nice to meet you :) I must admit Twitter would tax my writing abilities, but I think it is a great way of focussing the writing to its bare basics of concept. A good excercise. I hope you find time in the future for flash - if you can twitter a story, then flash should seem like an abundance of word count - but if long stories are working for you, then go with what works. Perhaps I'll see you around the flash/shorts again sometime soon :)
Yes Carol; it has helped me focus on scene writing, which I lacked in the past. Maybe someday I'll get to see some of your shorts :)
Thanks for your support everyone :)
.........dhole
Hi Donna .. I'd like to give it another try .. I've done one - which I'm going to submit to the Nursing Centre organisation here in a competition .. and see if anyone comments or what reaction I get.
And I'm going to write one with the Nursing Centre residents to submit too - our subject are the chickens that are housed in the garden .. chosen by them!
Cheers Hilary
Last year I wrote 52 short stories. Of course, some of them turned into "beginnings" of longer works. hehe. But a lot of them can be contained as short stories.
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