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Writing: The Death of the American Short Story

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2009 edited
     

    A NY Times op-ed by Stephen King

    Sadly, I think he might be completely correct. <_<

  2.  
    Hah, Stephen King's hilarious. But I think I may have to agree with him... What is this world coming to?
  3.  
    I love how they give a brief summary of what he's written at the end, as though anyone who reads that might not know who he is.
  4.  
    Stephen King rocks, as always. But I also think he's correct--when's the last time anyone found a short story collection without having to really scour the store for one?
  5.  
    I'm not a huge fan of short stories unless they're humour or about the same characters over and over again. They require getting in and getting out really quickly. Whereas I like to stay in worlds for a little bit longer. I'm just another CP, I guess.
    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2009
     

    Hm. Read The Lottery by Shirley Jackson?

  7.  
    Nowup. It'll go onto my to-do list. Where can I find it?
  8.  
    Just do a google search for 'The Lottery by Shirley Jackson'. First link that comes up.
  9.  
    Try google

    http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lotry.html
  10.  
    it's not a version copied without permission, is it?
  11.  
    Uh...who cares?
  12.  
    I...um... kinda do. Just a thing I have.
  13.  
    Well, whether it is or not, it's there, so there's no reason not to read it.
  14.  
    *wags head from side to side* well... there still is my conscience, so I might try and find it legally. But, legal or not, thanks for the link. It shows you care :)
  15.  
    It's not illegal to read a story on the internet.
    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2009
     

    It is if it was posted illegally. Anti-piracy adverts like to make it clear that, by watching/reading pirated stuff, you’re just as accountable as the pirate themselves.

  17.  
    You didn't copy it, therefore you did not break the law. But nice try.

    Think about how ridiculous what you just said is: that means that any person who even ACCESSED the page I just linked AT ALL could be guilty of copyright infringement. You really believe that?
  18.  
    *nods* wise young grasshopper, to know this.

    EDIT: that was at Moldorm, btw.

    @giftedcherub

    Yeah, but it was a mistake. My conscience isn't going to get all guilt-trippy when I pretty much clicked off the site straight away.
    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2009
     

    That’s what copyright people say. And what reason could they possibly have for lying?!
    Yes, I agree that it seems ridiculous, but I have to have a barrier against temptation.

  20.  

    Hey, what happened to ‘I’m okay, you’re okay’ ?

    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2009
     

    What’s wrong with having personalised moral standards?

  22.  

    Short stories aren’t the only things dying.

    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2009
     

    Just writing in general. :/

  24.  

    Oh, come on! Don’t be so pessimistic! Fanfiction is still alive and well!

    thinks this statement over and sinks into deep pit of depression

  25.  

    I wouldn’t say writing in general. I would say standards about everything in general.

    We live in an age where we don’t say what we really think and avoid confrontation at all costs. So things we find disagreeable we never say anything about. Could the internet be partially responsible for this tendency?

  26.  

    Which explains why blogs, TwilightSucks.com, anti-shurtugal or however the heck you spell it, ImpishIdea etc. exist. I beg to differ.

  27.  

    Nah, I mean within groups. Who has the guts anymore to tell their friends they’re being retarded?

    It’s quite easy to divide the world between “us” and “others”.

  28.  

    I take it back. You are right. To prove it, I will say this: You’re retarded.
    Damn, I was expecting it to be at least halfway hard to type.

    All joking aside, though…

  29.  
    What people except from writing is going down though. Standards are lowering; I know it's sad, but it's true.
  30.  
    Could it be because people are simply seeking entertainment in books nowadays? They don't really want to have to think about what the book's trying to say. They just want to zip through it and be done.

    So what I'm asking is, what makes fluff fiction like Twilight any different from watching some soap opera on television? It's basically the same plot. The only difference is that in one medium you see the words and in the other you see the images. They say that books like Twilight are good because they make young people read, and watching television rots your brains. It's true- too much television isn't good for anyone. But if the young person only reads Twilight, then how helpful is that in the long run?
    •  
      CommentAuthorArtimaeus
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2009
     

    It is sad that the people who read short stories almost always come form the community which writes them. SK hit the nail on the head with this. Personally, I think most of the problem that short stories have is the way they are marketed. If CP can sell his shoddy, derivative writing with little more than a marketing gimmick, I don’t see why similar tactics couldn’t be used to revitalized another medium.

    Of course, I think it’s fair to say that every current fantasy author is following in the footsteps of JK Rowling. Neither CP nor SM could not have succeeded without the trail that Rowling cut for them. What short stories need is a work that breaks into the mainstream culture and sets an example for other authors.

  32.  
    Hmmm. I'd say that the success of SM had more to do with the movie's release and hype, and, like JKR, word of mouth.
    *gets an idea*
    Maybe we should start some sort of marketing gimmick ourselves.
    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 1st 2009
     

    You people have no idea the number of marketing gimmicks in store for II. We have advertisements and everything already. xP

  34.  
    WINNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!
  35.  
    Can you make II backgrounds as well? I'd so use one. Btw, the background for II's main site is looking a little grainy.
    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 2nd 2009
     

    Yeah, that current background is about to be fixed. And sure, we could make desktop backgrounds.

  37.  
    Awesome. Do one with a unicorn on it. Pink, preferably.
  38.  
    Do one with imps! Devilish, impish imps!
  39.  

    I was kidding. We need sensible mature backgrounds. No Fun Allowed.

  40.  
    Awwww...no imps? Those emoticons were adorable, by the way. I hope they will return to us!
    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 2nd 2009
     

    Get Kitty to do art for banners.

    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 2nd 2009 edited
     

    Here’s a 1600×1200 wallpaper. I can do more sizes by request. This one is fairly plain, but I wasn’t feeling in the most creative of moods last night while I was being crushed by the prospects of a final. Link to wallpaper

    Edit: Still needs some work though. Not satisfied with the text.

  43.  

    Brilliant!

    I’d like a wallpaper in 1200×800.

  44.  
    Seems a bit intimidating, no? ;)
  45.  

    Lol, I like it. I’m going to have a tough time deciding whether or not to replace my Phantom of the Opera wallpaper with II wallpaper.

  46.  
    Sorry Sly, but I have to say, Phantom beats that banner. *winces, waiting for approaching comments*
  47.  
    I prefer Raoul, personally.
    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009 edited
     

    The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside your monitor, being more popular than your other wallpaper.

    EDIT: Yes, Raoul is probably a better person. He may not be a musical genius, but at least he’s not a murderous stalker.

  49.  

    Eric = win. Christine is annoying; so docile! She reminds me of Bella…

  50.  
    @ Moldorm. Lolcat that. I beg of you.

    @ RVL: Oh, shut up. And Erik = stalker. He reminds me of Edward...
  51.  

    You like Christine? Really? And even so, Erik also = lives beneath a Opera House; COOLNESS!

    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    And he has horses and barges and candles and mist and organs and stuff!

  53.  

    YAY!

  54.  
    I said nothing about Christine. I have to like her; I have the same hair as her. (referencing the movie/musical, not the book). It doesn't bother me when characters are docile. I can criticise them for being so, but as an entertainment value, I = not care.

    And anyway, Erik = completely and utterly insane (referencing the book)
    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    And his songs are better than Raoul’s. So, he’s much better as a character, especially in a musical, but not the kind of person you’d want to have a murderous obsession with you in real life.

  56.  
    @ Moldorm. You know, he stole that horse from the Opera House.

    Speaking of horses- Raoul bareback on a white horse = win.

    EDIT: Yeah, he's a great character. But I thought this was about them as themselves. In which case, Erik still = insane.
  57.  

    Steph — OK, I get your point… Oh well, one can dream!

    Moldorm — TOTALLY! (about the songs ;))

  58.  
    The songs = win. But so does All I Ask Of You.
    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    This is the ULTIMATE power of the music of the night!
    Quote mixing is fun.

  60.  

    Indeed it is. nods head appreciatively

  61.  
    Lol I didn't really like Music of the Night. The Point of No Return = WIN. So does the title song.
  62.  

    My favorite’s Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again. Beautiful.

    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    I enjoyed Maskerade. The film version has such pretty costumes!

  64.  
    I completely agree.
    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    Dear Steph, oh what a splendid comment, the prologue to a bright new thread…

  66.  
    Quite a laugh, I'll agree, RVL goes SQUEE...
  67.  

    Indeed she does! Go ahead if you want to.

  68.  
    And, she now! Just ruined our repartee
  69.  

    Tee hee, sorrys!

  70.  
    Inspiration has run out anyway. That's why I stopped in the middle of a line.
    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009 edited
     

    The American Short Story may be dying, but the musical theatrical tradition is as strong as ever!

    Hey, that was slightly on topic.

    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    Well, what were good recent musicals? I guess Wicked.

    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009 edited
     

    Repo! is recent, and apparently good. And Dr Horrible, of course.
    Is Spamalot recent enough to count?

    •  
      CommentAuthorJeni
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    Finally read the article, and, sigh, he’s right. One thing that I find American writers excel at* is the short story.

    But I don’t like books of short stories. He urges you to go out and buy a book of short stories, but I wouldn’t. I would want to buy each book separate like. Maybe it’s a perculiar quirk of mine…

    Also, I must admit, I’m very picky about my short stories. I don’t often read the ones in the Sunday Times Magazine because they’re either romance, or excessive drama, or sex drama… blargh. Maybe I will start reading them, though.

    *According to my American lit class.

    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    I feel i should point out how much Lost Odyssey’s ‘dream’ short stories added to the game in terms of characterisation and general emotiveness.

    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    I loved Dreamsongs Volumes 1 and 2 which are collections of George RR Martin’s short stories. He writes some of the best short stories I’ve ever encountered. A Song for Lya made me depressed for three whole days.

  77.  
    @ Jeni:

    I might, too. Only, you know what that would make us? Writers reading short stories.
    It's impossible to win.

    I have never seen a live musical. _Oliver_ doesn't count since it was a community theatre production, and anyway, that was the day I found out I needed glasses. No joke.
    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    The only live musical I’ve seen was 1776 at the Guthrie Theater. It was pretty good, although my friend tells me it wasn’t a very good interpretation. Whatevs.

    •  
      CommentAuthorMoldorm
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    The only musical I’ve seen was Fireman Sam, when I was 5. I keep meaning to see Phantom but being distracted or otherwise occupied.

    •  
      CommentAuthorJeni
    • CommentTimeJun 3rd 2009
     

    I might, too. Only, you know what that would make us? Writers reading short stories.

    I win. I’m not a writer. :D

    ;)

  81.  
    Stephen King will be overjoyed.
  82.  

    I’ve seen The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast on Broadway. I really want to see Les Misèrables and Wicked! Also, there’s an off Broadway production called The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which has an excellent soundtack. Oh yes, and I want to see Phantom.

  83.  

    Lucky. Luckyluckylucky. I’m about to seethe through my clothes in jealousy.

  84.  
    I saw Wicked in Boston. It was in a renovated operahouse, completely dazzling. And the musical itself was amazing.
  85.  

    We’ve been SUNK!

  86.  
    Throw a vine, a snake, ANYTHING!
  87.  
    NO! TOO LATE!!! I'm going to whisper to Slushie about this. I can't shout; he won't hear me. Oh, the irony...
  88.  
    SUCCESS!!! By the way, the background is now my background, too. Move over, Phantom!
  89.  
    Aw, poor Eric! ;P
    •  
      CommentAuthorJeni
    • CommentTimeJun 5th 2009
     

    So… who are everyone’s favourite short story writers?

  91.  

    Isaac Asimov.

    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 5th 2009
     

    Shirley Jackson or Ursula Le Guin or GRRM. Hard to decide. It mostly depends on who I last read.

  93.  

    Guy de Maupassant

  94.  
    Er...I haven't read all that many short stories, unfortunately. (So sue me!)

    I did enjoy O. Henry's 'The Ransom of Red Chief' as well as Garth Nix's anthology of short stories.
  95.  
    I haven't either. But DIana Wynne Jones is really good. As is Garth Nix. And has anybody read The Skaters? It's by Caroline ...somebody-or-other... I love it.

    Most short stories are pretty sad, though, aren't they?
    • CommentAuthorSlyShy
    • CommentTimeJun 6th 2009
     

    O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi is a classic, of course. O. Henry is one of those famous short story writers. :)

    Most short stories are pretty sad, though, aren’t they?

    Oh, not necessarily. I guess a lot of them are sad, but short stories don’t really satisfy the same way as a novel when they are happy.

  97.  

    Exactly. Which is why I tend to steer clear of them. Sad books make me sad. I prefer being happy. That said, I have for some reason recently developed a liking for the tragic romance movies and novels (Phantom of the Opera, Tuck Everlasting, etc. no trashy tragic romance novels.) lately. I hope I stop soon.

    What’s the word length for a short story before it becomes something else?

    Hey look! I’m the 100th post!

  98.  

    Not the 97th? Huh. Well, anyhow, I like Julian Barnes’s works.

1 to 98 of 98

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