Photo by Berteun
The Swiss Army Knife Short Stories
Some
of the short stories I have written have been published electronically, in
print, and in an audible format.
Write once sell thrice. One
set of three related stories initially published in three different venues have
become:
1) my favorite tale to read at
writing events
2) an ongoing theme at a mystery
convention (including a wonderful faux crime scene) with the resolution
presented at the final banquet.
3) a work in progress as I try to
transform them into a coherent, seamless play. I’m trying to figure out how to
work background information into dialog.
I need an exposition exhibition.
Every
venue had its own requirements in terms of vocabulary and dialog. The written word was different from the
spoken word. Reading aloud is particularly helping at changing from a written to a spoken format
One
characteristic of the Swiss Army Knife stories is that the “voice” of the main
character is distinctive. In my mind, even if not explicit in the story. I knew who was talking and who the audience for the protagonist was. Another characteristic was the unexpected twists and turns. The stories held surprises for readers.
The characters I wrote about keep popping up from my
subconscious to tell me more about their adventures. It's my job to type them up.
Have
you had stores that fit different means of expression?
Warren, most of my stories have different main characters and are told from different points of view; ie third person, first person and omniscient narrator. However, I liked one of my third person characters enough to write three short stories using her and I'm considering the same for a first person character I like, too. I've never tried writing a play.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a scary world inside my head. All those people I created vying for more space on the paper – just like a bevy of actors wanting more time on the stage. The only way I have been successful is to kill the characters.
ReplyDeleteAthough I’m thinking about a paranormal plot, so even that may no longer work!
~ Jim
Interesting approach, Warren. I've gone to murder mystery events, and I know the cast makes changes to the stories if someone seems to be getting too close to a solution, so they are very flexible. They are fun! I haven't tried making my stories anything but written, but the idea is worth consideration.
ReplyDeleteI've written over a hundred short stories and each is different. "Voice" becomes very important when writing from a first person viewpoint. In my mystery novel THE THIRD EYE: A PINE BARRENS MYSTERY, I use first person, a distinct voice of a fourteen yr. old boy, alternating with third person viewpoint of his mother, an adult woman. The two viewpoints bring the story together for some surprise twists. Of course, this is a co-authored novel which makes the book especially interesting for pt. of view writing.
ReplyDeleteI love mystery events and plays. It's great fun to actually "live" a mystery.
ReplyDeleteRight now I am toggling between a novel and a short story, and it's giving me mental whiplash. Being able to work in all those different forms is an impressive ability.
I agree with Jacqueline. Voice is important. I have a few short stories that have the same main characters, but the stories are set at different times so although they are the same characters, those characters have moved on to another time and set of circumstances. Both time and circumstance determine their mindset, demeanor, and relationship so although they are the same characters, they've changed--as we all do. I've never done a reading, Warren, (I cringe in fear.) but I could see how their voices would remain somewhat the same but with nuances.
ReplyDeleteJim--you've said about a paranormal plot--I want to know more about this since I never took you as a paranormal fan, more my cuppa.
Thanks for the comments. When I wrote the mystery for a conclave I had to keep re-writing as various actors told me what they wanted to do and say. I think it was like working on a movie script.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, voice is extremely important.
Oh, man, the cast inside my head is insane. I've always worried my first-person protagonists will sound too similar, but once I've finished each manuscript, I'm always so relieved that they really don't. That said, I haven't reused anybody just yet.
ReplyDelete