This time last week had me in a CRANKY MOOD, but I soon recovered, and here I am with a spring in my step and a smile in my heart. Sorry about that cliche, but happiness tends to provoke that kind of thinking in me. I write better stuff with a bit of gloom hanging over my head.
I just subbed my short story for the YALitChat Charity Anthology, so that’s one of the reasons for my joyful feeling. I love it when I’ve “finished” a project. There will be some buzz about this anthology soon and I’ll post what’s happening.
I really like short stories because they are such a challenge to write. When they’re good they really grab you fast and keep you involved with layered meanings and intriguing characters. They’re great for the short read, too. When you don’t want to take on a thick novel or biography, the short story is perfect.
Any favorite short stories? I have a few: A Rose for Emily, Lucky Jim and all of the ones in Ray Bradbury’s The Illustrated Man. I’d love it if you’d give me more to add to my list for those evenings when I crave something quick, but meaningful to read.
Hope you’ll stop by for my Young Adult Teen Tuesday post. I have a wonderful MULTI-CULTURAL book experience in store.
Then of course I hope you didn’t miss my angsty stuff about writing and insecurity last Wednesday. Whew! So many posts. I’m in training for the A to Z Blog Challenge.
I very rarely read or write short stories, but I did recently read The Lottery because I'd heard so much about it. Good luck with your submission!
That story still gives me the shivers, and I'm sure Collins read Jackson before she wrote Hunger Games.
Congrats on finishing your short story! I'm glad you're feeling better. 🙂
Thanks, Carrie. Finishing any project makes my writer spirits soar. 🙂
I agree with you- it is such a rewarding experience to write a short story. It is so challenging to write them, but I always feel excited and happy when I am done. I enjoy reading short stories- Grimms' Fairytales are among my favorites.
~Jess
http://thesecretdmsfilesoffairdaymorrow.blogspot.com/
You're right. Those Grimms' tales sure have held up over time.
Glad to see Leslie Rose giving a push for Flannery O'Connor, my favorite author. Her stories are very meaningful, written with elegant simplicity, and often somewhat disturbing. She's one of the best in my picks of short story writers.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
#atozchallenge
Love Flannery O'Connor's short stories. I so admire the talent of concise storytelling. I've tried my hand at it, I'm definitely a longer form gal.
I'm always in awe of those picture book people!
I'm sooooo glad I found you, well technically you found me, but if you hadn't and then I didn't, well then, I wouldn't have known you like writing shorts. I wouldn't have known you existed.
I love writing short stories. I'm glad you do too.
Thanks for visiting me.
Teresa
I'm glad we ran into each other, too. We'll have to talk short stories in the future.
Yay on finishing a project. Glad you're over being cranky. Some of my favorite shorts are by Arthur C. Clarke — the Nine Billion Names of God.
I knew Arthur would be one of your favorites. He wrote some brilliant sci fi short stories. Thanks for adding him here.
YEAH on the story submission. I've sent off a couple myself here recently, though I haven't heard back yet…As for other short stories…well (going back a ways) there's Fitzgerald and Jack London.
Oooh, keep us posted about your short story! Awesome!
Will do, Darby. So glad you stopped in and said hi today!
I love short stories and have great respect for those that can write them. Good for you!!
Lee,
Glad you submitted the short story! I know what you mean about finishing a project (or even a big draft).
My short story recommendation is The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Hemingway.
Yvonne
Great to see you here, YV! And, yes, to Snows of Kilimanjaro. Great read.
Congratulations on completing the short story. Not sure how well I'd do writing one.
I feel that way about picture books! They are a true challenge.
Consider Her Ways and others by John Wyndham. The main story was written in the late fifties and the anthology published in 1961. I first read it when I was in my early teens in the seventies and I still re-read it. All the stories are thought provoking and,I think, timeless.
Thanks for the title. I'll find it and read it.
I love writing short stories because even though they're so difficult, you feel an immediate sense of accomplishment when you finish!
Absolutely! Thanks for the visit.