Monday, February 7, 2011

Motivational Monday Quote


I DON'T HAVE TIME TO WRITE YOU A SHORT LETTER,
SO I'M WRITING YOU A LONG ONE INSTEAD.
(Mark Twain)

I love the challenge of writing flash fiction and all its cousins - micro, hint, etc.  So many people - other writers, included - think short fiction is easy.  Why?  Because it's only 500 words and not 5,000?  

Picture a giant house with a media room, a man cave and an outdoor kitchen (can you tell I watch some HGTV?)  You've got plenty of room to make the space inviting and interesting.  Now, take an apartment the size of a stamp and you've got a bit more of a challenge.  You can only put so many pictures on the wall and place so many pieces of furniture in the space - you really have to choose carefully.  In a longer story/bigger house, you can move some of the scenes/furniture around, maybe even put it in another section/room.  In a flash piece/small apartment, you really have to choose between the bright yellow chair with painted purple butterflies or the well-worn brown recliner.  Whatever you don't pick has to go, so you must pick the best word/chair for that space.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying one form is better than the other or that one form is easier/harder than the other.  In full disclosure, it's been quite awhile since I've written a longer short story.  My point really is that writing is not easy and we should respect and revel in a great story whether it's told in 5, 50 or 50,000 words.  

4 comments:

  1. Hi Madeline,
    I love Mark Twain quotes--and not just because that's the birthplace of my mom and maternal grandparents.

    Your analogy of the house and apartment are right on the mark.

    Most of all I agree with your last comment about respecting great stories, no matter the length.

    Donna V.
    http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hey, Donna - see, I knew watching those HGTV shows would come in handy some day. :)

    Isn't it true about great stories? I read some in the Hint Fiction anthology that literally made me catch my breath they were so good. And don't get me started on favorite novels that have stayed with me for years. It's not the amount of words that matter but the amount of heart. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like blogging for that same reason. Saying a lot in a few words takes creativity and is definately a challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree, Sally. I try not to make my posts too long - hopefully, I succeed! :)

    ReplyDelete