Thank you to all the #SundayLit players for your contributions this week.
I am visiting family next week, so there will be no prompts, but I will plan something appropriately dark for the following Sunday which will be midwinter.
#sundaylit
#SundayLit Q1. Do you write and/or read short stories?
Q2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of writing short stories?
I write lots of short stories, most of them flash length. The advantage is that I can turn them out fast and run with a single item. This disadvantage is primarily you need to stay focused, and the idea can't require a buildup.
“Winter Night”
On a winter night, dark and dreary.
A computer’s glow on my face, weary.
I labored words to outpour.
Said the Raven, "Nara Moore."
@Emmacox
Short stories make you really thing about what makes a story, because you can't fit anything that isn't necessary.
That's both the benefit and the drawback.
@Emmacox
I write short stories in the 1000-3000 word range from time to time. I have a few pieces that are ~10,000 words which technically falls in the range of 'short story', but has always seemed too long to call short story to me.
I do read short stories, mostly on the longer end. I'm not really a fan of anything under 1000 words, just too short for me to really engage with most of the time.
They fell the venerable oak at midnight, claiming a wedge as a souvenir. Back inside, they await the public outcry, scrolling between the news and social media.
One checks their photos recording their deed, and flinches.
A shadowy group of women stand within the fallen branches.
‘They hanged witches in that tree,’ smirks his accomplice.
He swipes. The women move closer, staring into the lens.
A noise makes him turn. He photographs the empty space, and stares at the screen.
Q4. What are you tips for writing short fiction?
Add your thoughts in the comments.
Q3. Does writing short stories benefit your longer works?
Add your thoughts in the comments.
#SundayLit 100 word Short story: A Winter's Night
The fox ran over the moonlit snow. Hunger drove him, scent led him; down to the eaves of the forest, to a lonely cottage with a hen-house. Once among the chickens madness took him, blood splashed the walls. The door opened, a light shone. "Curse you, Reynard!" cried the angry witch. "You shall become the worst creature I can think of!" The fox swore as his head hit the roof, and swore again as he saw what he had become.
A man.
Benefits:
1. It's much more economical to explore an idea (or part of an idea) through a short story than through longer forms.
2. You can churn them out if you need to.
Drawbacks:
1. The idea might be too big to properly explore.
2. A lot of people hate reading short stories - even when they're provided gratis.
Q2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of writing short stories?
Add your thoughts in the comments.
@Emmacox #SundayLit Q1. Do you write and/or read short stories?
i have to admit that i rarely read short stories. sometimes i will make an exception for authors i particularly like, though in those cases i encountered their novels first.
i prefer longer stories because you can settle into a longer term relationship with the characters. with short stories, it seems like i barely have time to get to know these people before i have to discard them, and move onto the next set. it's unsatisfying, however well crafted the story is otherwise.
@Emmacox I do both, although they're not my preferred format.
I write short stories to scratch itches or to fill out gaps in my world building or character development. Sometimes I write fanfic, but that's usually to scratch the aforementioned itches.
I read them to see how the market is - what's being published - and to gauge trends. It's rare that I find anything especially engaging (anyone seeing my reviews on my blog or bookwyrm will quickly discover how picky I am) , but it has been known to happen. I almost never read fanfic, mostly because it's nearly always a first (only) draft and fucking awful. I've been banned from fanfic channels for mentioning writing is rewriting.
Winter Night:
They huddled around the fire as they ate.
“What can you tell us about witches?” Eric asked, abruptly.
“Not much,” Fal replied. “They’re outlawed by the High Tower Edicts. Their magic taints them, somehow.”
“What do you mean?”
“Warts, croneism, bad-“
“Croneism?” Leira ejaculated.
“Becoming crones,” Fal answered, shrugging. “Hagism, if you prefer.”
“He has such a delicate way with words,” Alfonsa commented.
“But your magic doesn’t taint you?” Leira asked.
“No,” Fal answered.
“What do witches do that you don’t?”
“I’ve heard they have a lot of sex.”
“That’s both sad and hilarious at the same time,” Alfonsa remarked.
Q1. Do you write and/or read short stories?
Add your thoughts in the comments.
This week’s #SundayLit prompt is a little different.
I’d like you to share a short story (max. 100ish words). You have free rein on the content, but for those who require a prompt to get going, it is “Winter night”.
I’ll also post discussion Qs on the theme of short stories during Sunday under the #SundayLitQ tag.
I look forward to reading your work!
@skribe @gahlearner @Emmacox a bit of both. I'd prefer a bit more engagement around them (which is why I like the #SundayLit ones), but it's nice to see what other people respond with.
They do also make me think about my writing in ways that hadn't previously occurred to me. Some of them have led to additional scenes that I've incorporated, that I think will enrich my writing. It's good to get out of your own head sometimes and get a bit of input from others, even if they're writing completely different genres.
@ElisesWritings which is what I encourage in my weekly writing hashtag #SundayLit. Alongside the prompt, I post questions related to it and ask people to directly reply so it can become a discussion thread.
I kept my hashtag game to weekly because I could give it the time and attention needed.
@ElisesWritings I found myself providing deliberately funny answers, which might have been fine had anyone actually read them - but I soon realised that nobody was. Some might click favourite, and a few might even boost, but it was just an automatic reaction. There was no real engagement there.
With #SundayLit, I feel people at least read the work, and answer the questions. You know, having a conversation about writing, which I really like.
#SundayLit prompt is: Games
{Snip Konbini Idol](https://www.pixiv.net/novel/series/11417104)
At night, we wrote and presented poetry. We all took part, but Shishi came alive when performing. On stage, she rived Sarah Bernhardt herself. Once or twice, Kan-chan’s critiques offended her, especially as our internment wore on.
We also played endless rounds of Go. We briefly bet smokes, and Tomo consistently won my daily ration. Shishi played like a wizard when cigarettes were on the line. Otherwise, she couldn’t be bothered. When we smoked on the veranda, she would graciously let me bum one. I happily switched to betting coins after Shizuka gave them to us.
Our Go tournaments became so successful that the servants even spied on them. Then, with enormous delight, they penned satirical poems about my playing and “accidentally” recited them where I’d overhear. Fortunately, they made a greedy move one night.
End Snip
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