By Keith Gouveia
First, I'd like to thank you all for coming. Today I'd like to talk about the Short Story; what makes a good short story to be exact.
Recently I received a rejection letter for a short story I wrote. Now this is nothing new mind you, it happens far more than an acceptance. However, the editor pointed out that my short story wasn't a story, but an incident. So I ask, aren't all stories incidences? Now, I'm not bitter or anything like that, but the statement forced me to reevaluate my standing on what makes a good short story.
You see, a great man once defined a short story as being something you can read in a single sitting, and once you've read it, it stays with you, well after you've finished reading it. That man was Edgar Allen Poe.
When you read a short story I have written, you will find that they hold true to that definition, and that particular rejection came as a shocker to me. I had always felt that if you are going to write a 9000-word short story, finish the novel or novella.
Therefore, upon receiving that rejection, I conducted a little survey. I asked everyone I came across this question: When reading a short story, do you prefer the wham, bam, thank you ma'am approach, or do you prefer a long brooding story with well developed characters?
Now I don't have exact numbers here, but only three people out of those I asked said they prefer a slow brooding story, with well-developed characters. Everyone else preferred to be dazzled, some even went as far as saying that if they weren't grabbed at the opening paragraph, they move on. However, these same people were more than willing to dedicate the time to read a slow brooding novel. It all comes down to ones' expectations.
The point of this is not to change anyone's habits, or prove my theory right or wrong. The point is simply this, most people no longer read for enjoyment. It has been my goal from the get-go to change this, and I am doing just that-one reader at a time. There are always exceptions to every thing, and a well-written piece will always shine. However, you need to be honest with yourself if you are writing 7-9000 word short stories, and know that the average reader is not reading every single word you put down on paper. They are skimming through to the juicy parts and if you don't deliver, they will be weary of your writing in the future.
In conclusion, I will not be changing my writing approach. Instead, I will double my efforts to bring horror to the masses, and if I must continue to do so, one reader at a time, then so be it.
Pleasant Screams!