The Art of the Short Story

I get so frustrated when I hear a publisher or any one else, tell me that the short story--which is what I write--is a "dead art form". These last three words are an exact quote from a publishing house where I sent my most recent book for consideration. My response to them was, "Well if it is dead, you killed it!"

While it is true that I must believe people want short fiction to read in order to keep myself moving forward as a writer, my belief in this genus goes much deeper than just this self-indulgent, self serving thought. I sincerely believe that there is still a need in the world for short fiction.

Think about it: In this hectic, madhouse of a world we have created for ourselves, people often don't have time to read a book. How many times have you heard somebody say this?

The solution for these people is simple: get your fiction fix by reading a short story--or two! In a well written short, you get everything you get in a novel, and you will get it all in one sitting!

Don't believe me? Well consider the following story that I wrote for a local writing competition. The challenge to authors was to write a short story using only 101 words or less (my home town is located on California's Highway 101, thus the contest inspiration). This is one of my 2007 entries:

After the Pandemic

"Abner! Ya durn near left the door cracked agin"

"Sorry mom", Abner lamely responded

"Sorry won't do ya no good, if'n ya come home some day and find me dead cuz I was eaten alive by the bugs."

"I said I was sorry; I was heading out to get more Defcon 1 spray when I remembered I left my wallet on the bed side stand."

"Well close it fer sure this time."

"I will mom".

After struggling into his net suit again while preparing to wade out into the sea of insects, Abner remembered how much he missed hearing birds sing.

END

In this story you have a protagonist in Abner who has a plan of action ("heading out to get more Defcon 1 spray"), an antagonist in mom ("durn near left the door cracked agin"), a clear threat to their safety ("the bugs") and by the end of the story, you plainly know what is going on.