Comments on: Short stories – seducing writers and readers alike

By: claire

claire — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:17:55 +0000

I think a perfect flash is 250 words but up to 700 or so seems to fit too. An ideal short story for me is between 2500-5000 words, although some of the more prestigious competitions go up to 10,000.

Novella – 25,000 to 50,000 words? What does wikipedia say?

I hate rules and labels anyway. A story has to be however long it has to be.

By: Rufus Evison

Rufus Evison — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:07:36 +0000

What is a short story? How may words does it have? When does it turn into a novella and how short can it go before it is a short short?

More particularly where doe s 750 word story fit in? Is it long enough to be a short story? It is feeling a little insecure and uinferior. Is it to long to be a joke? Wat is it? it wants to know and on its behalf so do I…

By: claire

claire — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:42:38 +0000

Did you really? That is so impressive! I will be doing mine with two small children hanging off my knees, so it’s going to be fun!

By: Joanna Campbell

Joanna Campbell — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 09:21:04 +0000

Brilliant post, Claire. I recommend any short story by Raymond Carver.

‘See’ you in the ether on Saturday at Write-Invite. I even managed to send in my entry at top speed in Bristol last Saturday. Hubby had laptop set up ready for me to dash one off. These short stories seem to work better (hopefully) when the pressure’s on and time is in short supply! Inspiration has to come quickly!

By: Martha

Martha — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:49:08 +0000

I feel an absurd level of relief.

By: claire

claire — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:41:42 +0000

titbits. tids are for the blushing classes.

By: Martha

Martha — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:19:20 +0000

Ooh, thank you. I am going to alternate.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:18:03 +0000

Martha, as I understand it ‘tidbit’ is the preferred spelling of our former colonists out west.

The OED allows both, but specifies that tits on bits is for Brits.

By: Martha

Martha — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:49:12 +0000

And – THE WHITE ROAD by Tania Hershman – excellent shorty mix. And yes, Nik’s book is brilliant (and pretty, and pocket-sized). I haven’t got Bristol Anthology 3 yet but I know it’ll be good.

Charlie – titbit – is that not how it’s spelt? I mean, the d… what is that? I actually tried to look that up a while ago and could not fathom it out. I see tidbits everywhere but I grew up with tits on my bits, for sure.
Is that proper – or not?
Claire – what’s your vote?

By: Charlie

Charlie — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:48:56 +0000

I feel inspired to gently squeeze the buttocks of, smile engagingly at, and maybe even dally hedonistically with some of these coquettish little things that you mention.

In reciprocation, therefore, I should perhaps share a couple of tidbits (titbits, even) of timeless classic from my little black book:

“The Diamond As Big as the Ritz, and Other Short Stories” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Kiss Kiss”, “Switch Bitch” and the particularly fantastic “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More” – all by Roald Dahl

There. That little handful should keep you lasciviously amused for… oh… several moments.

By: Marisa Birns

Marisa Birns — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:01:24 +0000

There are wonderful new short stories you’ve listed here for me to read, though I do see some old friends that I like to reread

I have just finished reading THE WHITE ROAD and Other Stories by Tania Hershman. Fabulous collection.