Fair question, don't you think? We writers get so tunnel-visioned about getting our books published, we often forget to write for the sheer joy of putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard truth-be-told, and letting a story unfold.
Not all stories require 50,000 to 70,000 words to have impact. Some of America's most memorable authors have penned short stories to highlight a point they wanted to make. In days past, short stories were grouped together in a book and titled "Short stories by [insert famous author name here]". The reading public was so hungry for entertainment [this was pre-television] they would snap up new work by favorite authors. Somewhere along the line the concept of writing short stories got some pretty bad press and many writers stopped practicing this art.
My very first publication of work was a 750-word piece which won a finalist place in a contest Diet Coke was sponsoring. Twenty-three of us won a webpage on the Diet Coke site for three months which featured our bios, pictures and our story. The thought people from around the world could read my work was quite heady.
Enter the Anthology. My next foray into the world of publishing was a story that has become the basis for my dragon series. I sent it to a fantasy writers group. The moderator and final judge for the anthology had co-written several books with Piers Anthony. Fantasy readers should recognize the name. He is a brilliant, multipublished fantasy writer highly respected in the fantasy community. My story Cyre Drake was about 6,000 words and sat nestled in the company of some fantastic writers. I was paid $10.00 and one book for my efforts. I was, at last, a professional writer.
Do you see a pattern here? Sometimes formats such as anthologies serve to help writers hone their craft. Back when I wrote Cyre Drake if someone would have inferred the next thing I put my talents to would have to be 50,000 words or more, I might have stopped. With each story, my confidence grew to the point I was able to write a complete book and not panic.
I have five books, two stories, a written, performed and published comedy short on DVD and several "posts" on websites where I've been asked to contribute. In February, I'll have two more stories in anthologies and, with luck, in March the first book in a dragon series will be released. I've found my groove.
Anthologies can provide a format for writers to tell a story in the most succinct fashion. As is the case with writers who've published more than one book, brevity has become illusive for me. My writing style is such that I try to convey to my readers every sense I can without boring them; sight, sound, smell, touch and even taste.
Most anthologies have a word limitation, so writing in the style I like becomes a challenge to tell the story in the best fashion with the least amount of words. Can I use one word to get the idea across instead of a sentence? Have I developed characters the reader will identify with in such a confined writing space? Did I tell my story?
You will find Allana and Amber Angels to be superb storytellers. The characters in their tales will make you laugh, make you think and keep you asking for more.
Until next time, keep your feathers dry.
Sable Angel
Sable, I love the way you said this: "Most anthologies have a word limitation, so writing in the style I like becomes a challenge to tell the story in the best fashion with the least amount of words. Can I use one word to get the idea across instead of a sentence? Have I developed characters the reader will identify with in such a confined writing space? Did I tell my story?"
ReplyDeleteShorter stories truly use different writing muscles! They are a great way not only to build up to longer stories, but to sharpen our writing skills and look for new ways to make every word count.
Well said!
-Amber Angel