tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post7061117186144342267..comments2024-03-28T02:36:36.432-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: How to Read a Short StoryJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-57065927018479452862011-11-15T12:55:18.350-05:002011-11-15T12:55:18.350-05:00Yes, I've tried to write short stories without...Yes, I've tried to write short stories without adding backstory and it doesn't work. When a story is presented in the short form, that little bit of backstory provides the glue allowing brevity. When my critique partners told me to add backstory, I was hesitant. Backstory! But you must or the story falls apart.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-85354309705469776322011-11-15T10:23:57.043-05:002011-11-15T10:23:57.043-05:00How strange. I'm reading Tuesday's blog on...How strange. I'm reading Tuesday's blog on Tuesday. I would add that a short story arc has a beginning middle and end but rarely starts at the beginning. It gives a brief or implied back story but immediately drops you into the active middle or close to the end and invites you to hang on for the ride. Writing just enough back story is part of the art of writing short fiction. See Pauline's comments above.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-66030452412381351942011-11-15T08:41:19.844-05:002011-11-15T08:41:19.844-05:00Short stories are like talking with a friend about...Short stories are like talking with a friend about a crisis he/she is facing. I've found out that saggy middles aren't only in novels. I've read short stories where I start thinking, will the author get back to the point. Perhaps the author fell in love with a character and had to develop that character further or the dialogue just kept rolling beyond what was needed for the story.Pauline Alldredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00847008019331163905noreply@blogger.com