This post is by Doris McCraw.
I confess I love writing short shorts. For those who are wondering, a short short is a story of 6 to 500 words. It is a great exercise in writing. I have always loved short stories and this shorter form is such a wonderful challenge.
Can you write your memoir in six words? Try it. Mine could be Acting, Mississippi River, Friends, Mountains, Home or Birth, Illness, School, Forgotonia, History, Peace. Type ‘six word memoir‘ into search engines. You will find a plethora of options. There is even the story of Ernest Hemingway being challenged to write a story in six words.
Try putting your current story in less than 200 words. It will help you focus and give you a great pitch for editors. It also helps clear away unnecessary pieces that do nothing to push the story forward. I have used this form when pitching both books and screenplays. It was at a screenwriters conference that the concept first came to my attention. The idea was to use the first words of ‘what if’ and then continue your pitch. For example: “What if in 1879 a brothel owner moved her family to a decent town and her husband kills a young man who came knocking at the door late at night. Will the truth come out about her during the trial and why was a young man knocking at the door that late?” Do you think you have the editor’s attention? That is the story in about 50 words.
There are also wonderful newsletters and websites devoted to short short and the longer short story. Some of the ones I enjoy are:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlashFictionFlash
http://www.everydayfiction.com/flashfictionblog/
http://www.fundsforwriters.com
For those who like the longer form, short story and novellas have gained a resurgence in recent years. This is possibly due to the short attention span of younger readers along with less leisure time for adults. The e-reader probably also plays a part in this resurgence. As it has become easier for the new writer to get their work out there via the digital market, the short story seems to be the form of choice. Of course the Ray Bradburys and Louis L’Amours always wrote short stories in addition to regular length works. For anyone who would like to see a master, read any Harlan Ellison short story. He is amazing, although not to everyone’s taste.
For me, the haiku I write are a poetry version of the short-short. I have seventeen syllables to make my point. Each word, each syllable is so important to create the piece. You can visit: http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com to see examples.
Ultimately that could be the fascination I have with this story form. Each word is important, unlike the essays written in school. To tell the story effectively each word needs to be chosen with care. You use adverbs and adjectives to move the story, not add filler. I love the challenge and for that reason praise and love the short short story form.
For those who are adventurous stop by: http://angelarainesshorts.blogspot.com for a look at some of my early efforts at short story writing.
Until next time, happy writing and give the short short story a try.
Keira's Place 