Short+Stories

= = = "Stories are like footpaths of the gods. They lead us back and forth across time and space and connect us to the entire universe." =

- Vaddey Ratner, //In the Shadow of the Banyan// (2012)
= A __short story__ is a compressed version of a novel: it must have a beginning, middle and end.... with some sort of forward movement or change for the main character. =

= See pages 53-56 in the blue reader for explanations and examples of some of the key literary terms used in fiction. Also, see this link: =

Partysaurus Rex short film - Pixar Animation
http://www.movieweb.com/movie/toy-story-partysaurus-rex/full-movie

You Tube: Moving freight train (as in "The Dare" by Roger Hoffman)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6m7PWkT71w

You Tube: Shirley Temple singing "On the Good Ship Lollipop" in 1934 (alluded to in "Two Kinds" by Amy Tan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLLSqpYyPD8

== = Typical elements of an effective story: = = = = 1. A character who wants or needs something --- and who evokes our //pathos// =

= 2. Clear conflict preventing the character from getting or even knowing what he or she wants = == (This may is always INTERNAL, where the character is misguided or lacking in understanding about herself or the world -- and it may also be EXTERNAL, where other people, some element of society, or some element of nature has caused an obstacle) == = = = 3. A clear setting in time and place = = = = 4. A storyline that arcs and builds momentum through complications as it leads toward a climactic moment (which may be completely internal, completely external, or a combination) = = = = 5. A clear narrative voice and tone = = = = 6. Interesting, well-chosen details = = = = 7. Irony - See link: Literary Term - Irony =

= 8. A theme or point about life and human nature =



= Additional literary devices some writers use in short stories: = = = = 1. Metaphoric language = = = = 2. Symbols = = = = 3. Allegory =

= 4. Allusions =

==FLASH FICTION or MICRO FICTION are terms used for a new genre of short story that is contained on just 1-3 pages, or one that uses fewer than 750 words. Sometimes a literary magazine will offer a contest for stories that contain just 500 or 100 words. Here is one that I submitted recently to such a contest. It contains under 100 words.==



__ Stray __
== //How dare they!// She grinds at the pedals, hurtling through gravel toward who knows where in the dusky light. //They have no right!// Wind audible through wheels, the treads cut into her bare feet as blood rushes in her ears, combustible as jet fuel. Then out of the tall grass, a cat – airborne blur of gray – crosses before her and lands to her left. Her legs freeze. Body and bike still propelled, her head jerks back to lock eyes with those of the other: yellow, indignant, wild. Such secrets they harbor. Things things explored in the dark. ==