Sydney Avey

Dynamic Woman — Changing Times

365 Short Stories–Time to Reflect

Apr 11, 2013 | 365 short stories, Writing life | 1 comment

It’s time to reflect on my resolve to read a short story a day for a year. I’ve heard writers say they don’t read like they used to because:

  1. They are writing instead.
  2. They don’t want what they read to influence what they are writing.

I find that reading one short story a day is like popping a vitamin—not much of a time commitment and good for my health. I hope what I’m reading will influence what I write.

Some days I have time to analyze why a story worked or didn’t work for me. Other days, fiction does a fast wash over me and leaves a thought, feeling, or theme to pursue in my own writing.

Why am I blogging about it? Tracking titles on Good Reads is not as satisfying as a writing exercise that challenges me to respond to what I’ve read with carefully chosen words.

Do I think I have an audience that breathlessly anticipates each week’s update? Nah; my modest hope is to be part of a resurgence of interest in the short story form that seems to be taking place.

I find that reading one short story a day is like popping a vitamin—not much of a time commitment and good for my health.

Last week I had a short story of my own published in Foliate Oak Literary Magazine. The germ of the idea came from reading a selection of Oscar Wilde’s fables and fairy tales. Do people still write fables, I wondered. If they don’t, they should. Many of us claim an interest in nature. Fables tell nature’s stories from nature’s point of view.

If you are writer, read short stories. Pay attention to a concept that piques your interest and play with it in your own writing. Consider a setting that intrigues you. In last week’s list, I cited Tea Obreht’s tipping of the conventional wisdom, that writers should only write about what they know. She set “The Laugh” in a place she had never been.

If you are reader who is unfamiliar with the short story structure, glance back through the first 13 weeks of my 365 Short Stories for some titles of anthologies, collections and magazines that offer the best in classical and contemporary short form writing. Or,(gasp!),leave a comment and share your reading experiences, thoughts and suggestions. I’d love to hear what you have to say.

 

1 Comment

  1. sbobet asias

    I am in fact thankful to the owner of this web site who has shared this enormous article at
    at this time.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Crafting a Novel Around a Real Person: An Interview with Sydney Avey – WRITE NOW!

Crafting a Novel Around a Real Person: An Interview with Sydney Avey – WRITE NOW!

Categories

Archives

© Sydney Avey

Site designed and maintained by

Web Design Relief.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This