tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1260340660172798138.post1044292260764644026..comments2023-12-06T23:12:56.819-09:30Comments on FROM THRILLER AUTHOR ANNE FRASIER: short storiesAnne Frasierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11101098702957959372noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1260340660172798138.post-47956600756039031892010-08-22T07:23:51.065-09:302010-08-22T07:23:51.065-09:30L, i def think you succeeded with Slurp. and i lov...L, i def think you succeeded with Slurp. and i love the comparison to writing a song. and really like the idea of writing the end first. i might try that next time!downward spiralhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14708789706838237189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1260340660172798138.post-23413573038606910372010-08-22T07:14:45.789-09:302010-08-22T07:14:45.789-09:30I wasn't sure I could write a short story on p...I wasn't sure I could write a short story on purpose when I was invited to write one for an anthology (heh). Until <i>Slurp</i>, I'd only written when the muse struck me. [oh, that's funny too]<br /><br />I think I succeeded -- to an extent.<br /><br />For me, it was closer to writing a song and not at all close to writing a novel.<br /><br />In my songs, the payoff is in the last verse which I usually write first. Then I write the other verses as a path to the zing or revelation at the end. "Slurp" was that way for me.<br /><br />And yes, writing a short story is a wonderful discipline. Makes me select in and out. Makes me notice what is necessary.Likari (LK Rigel)http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/19683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1260340660172798138.post-17718438318176835342010-08-22T04:11:40.355-09:302010-08-22T04:11:40.355-09:30heather, bird by bird...another book i always mean...heather, bird by bird...another book i always meant to read. i have a lot of those.<br /><br />paul, hah! i do think novels and short stories are very different. i didn't realize how different until i started writing them. But I wonder if short stories aren't excellent practice for novel writing. <br /><br />patti, oh, all good advice. love the the small arc. didn't think of that, but it's so true. and related, keep the plot small. some people try to write a smaller version of a bigger story. those short stories aren't as satisfying. too much stuffed into a small space, and the stories can feel almost like a draft of something bigger.<br /><br />also like emphasizing character over plot.downward spiralhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14708789706838237189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1260340660172798138.post-39555203167715784852010-08-22T02:40:34.296-09:302010-08-22T02:40:34.296-09:30Keep the cast of characters small, keep the arc sm...Keep the cast of characters small, keep the arc small, emphasize character over plot, make every word count, have some small surprise or insight at the end. And you're right about the circle, the beginning should have the nugget for the end in it. Some day I will get it right. Thanks for the "note."pattinase (abbott)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02916037185235335846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1260340660172798138.post-74330300710980995742010-08-21T23:58:16.833-09:302010-08-21T23:58:16.833-09:30You're right about the circle. Since I've ...You're right about the circle. Since I've only written short stories I feel fairly okay with them but it's those big bloody novel things that scare the S*** out of me!Paul D Brazillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12881642426845398389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1260340660172798138.post-19433593150347691612010-08-21T15:42:55.156-09:302010-08-21T15:42:55.156-09:30The only short story writing instruction I remembe...The only short story writing instruction I remember reading was included in Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird. It's been awhile since I've read the book, though. From what I do remember, your advice is similar to hers.<br /><br />Or maybe not. lol.Heather Dearlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15870294050733092011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1260340660172798138.post-27160451567425032352010-08-21T12:39:09.425-09:302010-08-21T12:39:09.425-09:30thanks for the suggestions, emeraldcite. i've...thanks for the suggestions, emeraldcite. i've been interested in getting 20th century ghosts. forgot about it, so thanks for reminding me!downward spiralhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14708789706838237189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1260340660172798138.post-57980382160735672010-08-21T11:04:41.742-09:302010-08-21T11:04:41.742-09:30What helps me with writing my own is reading a goo...What helps me with writing my own is reading a good anthology. I try to pick up one from an editor who usually puts out something really good in the genre. Right now, I'm reading some stuff for a few classes I'll be teaching, but I picked up Dark Faith from Apex Book Company which has some really fantastic stories in it. I just finished Masterpieces: The best Science Fiction of the 20th Century, which was amazing. A great collection from fantastic authors over the years. Also reading Wastelands (from John Joseph Adams), Steampunk collected by the Vandermeers, and 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill (the only single author collection I'm reading straight through). All great stuff.emeraldcitenoreply@blogger.com