Thank you for including "The Toad" as an example of a 100 word story. I didn't realize until I saw the story on the page that 100 words is really really short! Also, the story held so much in its tiny container.
So excited to read this book when it’s out! Reading this newsletter today got me to actually sit down and attempt a 100 word story (I often struggle with rambling 😅) and I actually pulled it off!! Feeling a bit more inspired to get through my day now. 🥰🤗
Thanks so much, Elayna! I look forward to hearing your thoughts. And ... that's so great you wrote a 100-word story! I think the form is akin to poetry, so I bet you'll like it. And ... I also often struggle with rambling, which is why it's been good for me.
I took part in a twelve-week online writing workshop two years ago, the only writing instruction I've ever received, and I was baffled at some of the critiques of other stories. Everything had to be fleshed out, and elaborated on, even minor characters. I kept my disagreements to myself.
I advocate for brevity and concise writing, provided sentences don't lose meaning or become ambiguous. It’s also important that what is not said is obvious or at least understood through a second reading.
You've inspired me to try writing 100-word stories. Also, I will be reading this book as well.
Thanks for sharing, Corey. I think the easiest (and often least helpful) critique to make is to ask for more from a story. As you said, it's perhaps more helpful to explore what can be gained through compression, etc. There's a time for more, of course, but you have to be really discerning as a writer.
Boy this post was WAY longer than I thought it would be! Hardee har har.
Seriously, though, the 100 word story at the end covered a lot of ground quickly, not unlike that car in the story. Were you conscious of that symbolism or was it one of those magical happy accidents of good writing?
There's no doubt it's on the long side. Ironically. Per the story, I think it was a little of both. I wrote the story because I'd read something about toads, and I remembered how they'd be pancaked and dried to the road when I was growing up. So it was in the process of writing the dialogue that the characters took me to the symbolism.
I’ll give micro a go. Why not? Sounds fun!
Why not? is the right attitude, Drew. I like it just as a break/interlude from longer writing. Let me know how it goes.
Thank you for including "The Toad" as an example of a 100 word story. I didn't realize until I saw the story on the page that 100 words is really really short! Also, the story held so much in its tiny container.
Thanks for reading, Marianna! 100 words is really, really short. It's interesting, though, how much you can do with so few words.
So excited to read this book when it’s out! Reading this newsletter today got me to actually sit down and attempt a 100 word story (I often struggle with rambling 😅) and I actually pulled it off!! Feeling a bit more inspired to get through my day now. 🥰🤗
Thanks so much, Elayna! I look forward to hearing your thoughts. And ... that's so great you wrote a 100-word story! I think the form is akin to poetry, so I bet you'll like it. And ... I also often struggle with rambling, which is why it's been good for me.
I took part in a twelve-week online writing workshop two years ago, the only writing instruction I've ever received, and I was baffled at some of the critiques of other stories. Everything had to be fleshed out, and elaborated on, even minor characters. I kept my disagreements to myself.
I advocate for brevity and concise writing, provided sentences don't lose meaning or become ambiguous. It’s also important that what is not said is obvious or at least understood through a second reading.
You've inspired me to try writing 100-word stories. Also, I will be reading this book as well.
Thanks for sharing, Corey. I think the easiest (and often least helpful) critique to make is to ask for more from a story. As you said, it's perhaps more helpful to explore what can be gained through compression, etc. There's a time for more, of course, but you have to be really discerning as a writer.
Boy this post was WAY longer than I thought it would be! Hardee har har.
Seriously, though, the 100 word story at the end covered a lot of ground quickly, not unlike that car in the story. Were you conscious of that symbolism or was it one of those magical happy accidents of good writing?
There's no doubt it's on the long side. Ironically. Per the story, I think it was a little of both. I wrote the story because I'd read something about toads, and I remembered how they'd be pancaked and dried to the road when I was growing up. So it was in the process of writing the dialogue that the characters took me to the symbolism.