Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Brevity

This is topic Brevity in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Sariel (Member # 2907) on :

I've been trying for some time to write short stories. My only problem is, I can't seem to make them short.

Perhaps it's my reading that is to blame; I like books big. If it's not 5-600 pages (or more), or part of a series, I just tend to burn right through whatever it is I'm reading.

When I come up with an idea for a story, I tend to have to let it cook in my head a bit before I can put anything on paper. What happens, though, is that by the time it's cooked enough that I feel I have some sort of direction to write in, the idea has usually grown to novel-size.

How do I stop this from happening? Or can I?

*Edited to add: Nevermind, I found the other very similar thread *

[This message has been edited by Sariel (edited October 04, 2005).]

Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :

I remember once, somewhere, someone saying an idea for a novel is really an idea for a short story---except the reader will see straight through to the end of the short story from the very beginning.

So the writer has to hide something...then has to hide something else to hide that...then has to cover some other things...then cover some more...and in the end, the writer winds up with a novel.

Posted by Silver3 (Member # 2174) on :

I understand your problem. In fact, it's one that I still have. I used to write stories that clocked in at 11000 words apiece, then 7500 words. Recently I've settled at 6000 words. Sometimes I do write much shorter stories.

I think the keyword is: keep it simple. Don't throw in tons of characters, or plot development. There is no time.

I once took a creative writing class in which I had to write a 5-page short story (about 1500 words with the font characteristics specified). I managed it because I kept it to bare bones. There was a grand total of three characters, only one of which was really developed, three scenes, a very simple plot that kept a tight focus on one character. I kept the setting to a minimum as well (although now that I have grown more as a writer, I think it was do-able to have a more complicated one than the generic fantasyland I used).

That's my experience. If anyone else has had different ones, I'd be interested in hearing them as well(I have taken a solemn vow to keep my next short story strictly under 5000 words).

[This message has been edited by Silver3 (edited October 04, 2005).]