tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post2763455823161060897..comments2024-03-25T02:14:50.515-07:00Comments on Cora Ramos Blog: Why Can't I Get My Short Story Published?Corahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17513930284591250364noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-43720548356333779032013-09-30T07:53:57.347-07:002013-09-30T07:53:57.347-07:00This was helpful blog. It's nice to know other...This was helpful blog. It's nice to know others think the plot si the most important part.<br />JL Greger<br />Author of Coming Flu and Murder: A New Way to Lose Weight and numerous unpublished short storiesJ. L. Gregerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01442307887725898087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-86462277123044945872013-09-25T15:09:45.608-07:002013-09-25T15:09:45.608-07:00Thanks Eileen. I'm a fan, too.Thanks Eileen. I'm a fan, too.Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17513930284591250364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-68788946897177650342013-09-25T15:08:53.449-07:002013-09-25T15:08:53.449-07:00I really hesitated making the cleverness point. Bu...I really hesitated making the cleverness point. But I've seen so many short stories fail because of the writer getting caught up in trying for a clever angle that falls flat. <br /><br />On Elmore's quote, I know a lot of people disagree with that. The way I understand it, it to have clean, clear, crisp writing, (fresh, you said) removing all that does not serve STORY. That is not to say that I haven't seen people publish or win short story contests that don't write like that. That is the subjective part I mentioned. Just as there are many novels that are not written well but still there are people to read them.Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17513930284591250364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-89949089670573821962013-09-25T14:57:57.314-07:002013-09-25T14:57:57.314-07:00Sherry's idea from Ray Bradbury is a good one ...Sherry's idea from Ray Bradbury is a good one to keep in mind. Breaking between novels to write a short story is always a good way to get more instant gratification from the long process of the novel-especially if you enter a contest or get it published.Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17513930284591250364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-83716000461142656192013-09-25T14:55:40.827-07:002013-09-25T14:55:40.827-07:00First off, congratulations on your short story suc...First off, congratulations on your short story successes. I hadn't heard that advice from Ray Bradbury before. That is really a great idea--only I can't write a short story in one week. I could do maybe 12 a year. I've been wanting to do a few short stories this year. Maybe this idea will help me get it done. Thanks.Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17513930284591250364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-9206282162181756142013-09-25T12:31:55.023-07:002013-09-25T12:31:55.023-07:00Lots of great information in here, Cora. I'll ...Lots of great information in here, Cora. I'll be back teaching in the classroom this weekend -- fiction and nonfiction workshop series -- and your words of wisdom will be with me. I'm a big Elmore Leonard fan; thanks for quoting him.Eileen Obsernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-45068981433664001702013-09-25T07:48:17.184-07:002013-09-25T07:48:17.184-07:00I'm totally on board with the One Idea thing, ...I'm totally on board with the One Idea thing, and with the Sequential thing. And for sure The Story Is King. As someone who writes funny, though, I bristle at your point about cleverness. Maybe I'm trying to have cake and eat it at the same time, but I don't think Mr. Leonard meant to pull all the color out of the words. I think he's just looking for fresh writing. If it's a phrase you've read before, then it sounds like writing and don't use it. It's always a bad idea to fall in love with your own writing, clever or otherwise, but if it serves the story, I say it should stay.<br />Liv Rancourthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13171029958375171223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-86400958630281274492013-09-24T21:48:10.854-07:002013-09-24T21:48:10.854-07:00Timely post, Cora...since these days I'm conce...Timely post, Cora...since these days I'm concentrating on short stories to get more practice before going back to my novel.Mike Schulenberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07150989011176710430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-17167660016566112562013-09-24T08:47:10.254-07:002013-09-24T08:47:10.254-07:00Love the Elmore Leonard quote.
Having placed in ...Love the Elmore Leonard quote. <br /><br />Having placed in short story contests, even taking top prize in the Alice Munro competition in 2009. one would think I had the craft licked. Not so. Condensing characterization, reducing backstory to beyond minimum, keeping description sparse, concise, and precise, is always a challenge. A short story is a novel in miniature, all the elements have to be there in order to have a satisfying tale. But, as Raymond Bradbury said, if you want to write, spend the first year writing shorts, one a week, instead of writing a novel. That way, you will have practiced the art of story 52 times in one year instead of only once.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-52451795112746519402013-09-23T18:22:25.242-07:002013-09-23T18:22:25.242-07:00I have this discussion/disagreement with one of my...I have this discussion/disagreement with one of my critique buddies. I think there is some finer point in there that we would agree on if I knew what it was.(smile). I understand what it means for me and so I guess it's all good.Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17513930284591250364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-89082363641295016562013-09-23T18:19:53.210-07:002013-09-23T18:19:53.210-07:00Glad yo agree on that. Thanks.Glad yo agree on that. Thanks.Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17513930284591250364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-22470058024142988072013-09-23T18:19:07.085-07:002013-09-23T18:19:07.085-07:00Love Elmore Leonard! Crisp to the point. Thanks An...Love Elmore Leonard! Crisp to the point. Thanks Anne.Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17513930284591250364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-75320446116085791302013-09-23T18:17:29.675-07:002013-09-23T18:17:29.675-07:00Thanks so much Paul for your great comments. I kno...Thanks so much Paul for your great comments. I know what you mean about writing short when trying to do a longer work. My critique buddies have to puuuuull more out of me when I begin a new novel. My WIP started out as a small backstory (another life), turned novella and finally into final 74000 (so far) word novel.Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17513930284591250364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-11788847360882411512013-09-23T16:59:47.324-07:002013-09-23T16:59:47.324-07:00I don't agree with the Elmore Lenard quote. I...I don't agree with the Elmore Lenard quote. It is way too easy to revise the voice right out of the story by trying to fix things.Linda Maye Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07203020058437093901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-89284341391295397992013-09-23T15:59:56.491-07:002013-09-23T15:59:56.491-07:00Good advice, Cora. One idea. No sub-plots. Sub-plo...Good advice, Cora. One idea. No sub-plots. Sub-plots are for novels.jrlindermuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09204855909246670628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-26356364860042255722013-09-23T15:41:15.399-07:002013-09-23T15:41:15.399-07:00Excellent post. I've always found novels easie...Excellent post. I've always found novels easier than shorts, and that's because I try to cram too much in: too much story, too many characters, etc. This is helpful to all of us who have trouble with "less is more." <br /><br />And Paul Fahey is right that fiction writing styles have changed. People don't have patience for detours any more. This is the era of Elmore Leonard style.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-30356899337756693702013-09-23T14:54:51.919-07:002013-09-23T14:54:51.919-07:00Thanks Elizabeth. What you say is true. My Sister&...Thanks Elizabeth. What you say is true. My Sister's in Crime chapter is starting a new theme for next year's short story contest and I wanted to offer some tid-bits for them to keep in mind. Corahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17513930284591250364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-44040215627367502792013-09-23T14:54:08.345-07:002013-09-23T14:54:08.345-07:00Great post, Cora, and I couldn't agree with yo...Great post, Cora, and I couldn't agree with you more. I began my writing career, so to speak, with short stories, actually, flash fiction pieces from 250 to 1k words max, and still have difficulty writing anything other than a short novella length e book. I loved what you said about everything in essence serving the story, or story through line without detours along the way. This is especially important in the E age I think because readers read on the go and how a story flows will impact whether they stick with your piece or move on. I really liked this: "Readers want to read faster, to the point, without a lot of unnecessary words. If you are writing a short story, especially a short short, say it and move on." This is so important when writing for online journals. Short paras, short chapters and dialogue that moves a story along. Ditch the exposition that doesn't relate to the story through line. Great post. Think I'll share with my writer pals if okay. My best, Paul <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6687332317991077410.post-31187026909535069612013-09-23T13:36:36.686-07:002013-09-23T13:36:36.686-07:00Great post, Cora. The points are important to all ...Great post, Cora. The points are important to all types of fiction.elizabethfaishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04054541448639306878noreply@blogger.com