Now, I've been a pondering for a little while about doing some thing short story related on the blog. As I explained in my last YA Confessions post, one of the main reasons I started this blog was to encourage myself to read and write more. and ever since I started the whole writing experiment, short stories have been at the forefront of my mind. They're a natural starting point for any new writer - when I first started out (not that long ago), I made the very stupid mistake of assuming that the shortness of them would naturally make them easier to write.WRONG. The short story is still a literary nut I've yet to successfully crack and I find it utterly fascinating when people get it so, so right. If you've yet to come across an amazing short story, I urge you to seek one out. In some ways, it is so much more impressive when a writer can engage and astound with so few words.
Which brings me onto why I am writing this post... Actually, sorry, I'm going to digress AGAIN. Bear with me, it is all related, I promise....
I've been a bit worried about how much reading and writing I'm going to get done over the summer holidays. With the kids being with me 24-7, all my work has to be crammed into the evenings, which means blogging gets shunted to the back of the queue *apologises to blog* *strokes blog* *pats blog on the head*. However, with all this pondering about short stories, I got to thinking THEY'RE SHORT. THEY TAKE LESS TIME TO READ THAN THOSE BOOK THINGS. I WILL HAVE LESS TIME... Do you see where I'm going with this one....?
Well, let me introduce you to Short Story Summer...
Over July and August, I'm going to do some posts about the short stories I love, maybe dig out a few new ones, chat to some short story writers, just anything short story related, really.
And I would like you to join me - if you fancy doing any short story reviews in the next few months, either as a guest post or on your own blog, we could all link arms together and celebrate the shortness of the stories. And have many larfs and larks and the like.
Ok, so in my quest for less stuff to do, I appear to have given myself more things to do. Oh well...
Anyway, I'm not that good at planning stuff, so it will all be very ad hoc. Just let me know if you want to take part....
So, celebrate International Short Story Day by reading one, maybe even writing one if you're feeling particularly motivated. And keep your eyes peeled for my first Short Story Summer post, coming soon to a neglected blog near you...
I'M SO EXCITED.
ReplyDelete:D
I'm going to be watching this like a hawk. A HAWK I SAY.
THE PRESSURE. THE EXPECTATION. It's all too much...but I will do my best. You do know how disorganised I am, right? There is a possibility this post might be it.
ReplyDeleteOnly kidding, there will be more, promise :)
Oh gosh, I can relate so much to your lack of time. I am only on day three of the first week of summer vacation and I'm already exhausted. Blarg.
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, happy short story day! Flannery's got a post going up today about short stories too, and I'm sure that one of us would love to participate in your summer.
This whole plan of yours is pretty brilliant, now that I think about it. All of my reading is done in tiny little snatches of time anyway. Make sure to at least report back if you find any amazing ones!
Will do Catie. And congratulations on making it through 3 days of your summer holiday already! We've got another 4 weeks of school left. Yikes.
DeleteBut yes, would love to have some thoughts from you guys on the short story thing :)
This is exciting. Short stories give such a sense of accomplishment since you get so much out of them and they take so little time to read. I can't wait to see what you've got in store for us.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm adding you to our blogroll right now. Who am I kidding?
Ta lovely. I can't wait to start reading some crackers. I will check out the list on your blog first!
DeleteI'll be watching closely ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love reading short stories, and I haven't written one in nearly a year. Your post's inpsired me to try and bash one out too!
I'll be attempting another one too, I think. I've found them so difficult in the past. Much respect to anyone folk who write them :)
DeleteHaving just sobbed my eyes out over a short story, I am VERY excited for Short Story Summer!
ReplyDeleteWhich one??? Anything that results in sobbing is a must-read!
DeleteI think Maggie is talking about one of Flann's recs, The Paper Menagerie - oh my goodness, so sad.
DeleteI have to admit I don't seek out short stories, I think I have a collection of Stephen King's and that's about it. But I do appreciate them so I'm looking forward to your posts!
Thanks, Mandee! Going to work on my first post tomorrow!
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