My partner just introduced me to a collection of very short stories called Sudden Fiction. She was a student of creative writing and suggested this as a great introduction to this compact form of story telling. I remember being asked to write a “complete” story in 2 pages or less when I took a creative writing course my freshman year of college. She also suggested that it would be good Metro reading. She’s right! I am able to give just the right amount of attention to each of them as I jostle between stations and sudden stops.
Two things have occurred to me while I have been reading this collection. First, I could not wait to start exploring my own version of this type of writing. In fact, the title listed on the right, As I Watch the Morning at 30% completion is my first stab at one of these. I just couldn’t control myself as I was very excited to execute one and fortunately I had a story right there waiting for me. Once it is finalized it will be uploaded.
The second thing that I’ve noticed is how distinctly American and mid-century the styles of the stories are. So far, I’m about 25 deep, there have been a few variations, but many of them have what I think of as the “golden age” of the modern American novel feel to them. Many of them are naturalistic, simple, and rooted in domestic relationships. I state this not as a criticism, but merely as an observation. After indulging myself in literature from the far and distant East as well as South and Central America, it was very interesting to land on something so unabashedly North American.
I admit that I find each of these inspiring. Not all of them appeal to me, but each has an element, usually a provocative “button” that ends the story that stirs an appreciation of the author’s intent even if I’m not a fan of their overall style. I am surprised at how much each conveys to the reader in such a short time. Sometimes within the first two or three sentences I find myself visualizing, quite clearly, the world of the characters. I see what they see. I am not a hard sell when it comes to writing. I am open to anything having merit. I have not read too much modern pulp writing, but I am always on the lookout for someone who is considered exceptional within their genre.
Also, it’s refreshing to know that if a story is not of my liking it is done and over in just under 1500 words or so.
Two things have occurred to me while I have been reading this collection. First, I could not wait to start exploring my own version of this type of writing. In fact, the title listed on the right, As I Watch the Morning at 30% completion is my first stab at one of these. I just couldn’t control myself as I was very excited to execute one and fortunately I had a story right there waiting for me. Once it is finalized it will be uploaded.
The second thing that I’ve noticed is how distinctly American and mid-century the styles of the stories are. So far, I’m about 25 deep, there have been a few variations, but many of them have what I think of as the “golden age” of the modern American novel feel to them. Many of them are naturalistic, simple, and rooted in domestic relationships. I state this not as a criticism, but merely as an observation. After indulging myself in literature from the far and distant East as well as South and Central America, it was very interesting to land on something so unabashedly North American.
I admit that I find each of these inspiring. Not all of them appeal to me, but each has an element, usually a provocative “button” that ends the story that stirs an appreciation of the author’s intent even if I’m not a fan of their overall style. I am surprised at how much each conveys to the reader in such a short time. Sometimes within the first two or three sentences I find myself visualizing, quite clearly, the world of the characters. I see what they see. I am not a hard sell when it comes to writing. I am open to anything having merit. I have not read too much modern pulp writing, but I am always on the lookout for someone who is considered exceptional within their genre.
Also, it’s refreshing to know that if a story is not of my liking it is done and over in just under 1500 words or so.
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