Category: General

06 Jan 2023 13:38

Joined:	23/09/2015
Level:	Gold
Points:	63032

Points:	5 (₹ 3)

Let's discuss: What is a short story

During my student days, my father used to force me to learn/understand various subjects/topics which were not included in the syllabus. While studying Bengali literature and English literature, he forced me to learn the definition of short story, although it was never required as per the syllabus.

In Bengali, my father used to recite a beautiful short poem written by Rabindranath Tagore to make me understand the characteristics of short stories. As I am unable to translate this beauty in English, I am leaving it here.

In English, as per Merriam-Webster, short story "is an invented prose narrative shorter than a novel usually dealing with a few characters and aiming at unity of effect and often concentrating on the creation of mood rather than plot."

Now, what are the five characteristics of short story? The essential five characteristics are character, setting, conflict, plot and theme. Furthermore, if a short story provides an unexpected twist and/or a sense of incompleteness, it becomes a good and even a great short story.

Do we remember all these aspects when we attempt to write short stories?

#768449

06 Jan 2023 14:01

Joined:	18/10/2008
Level:	Platinum
Points:	260858

Points:	3

Partha,

Sometimes, it is not necessary to go by the book. That is, you do not literally have to put all the necessary elements as per a definition. Adding or dropping an element can provide a nice surprise, perhaps. I say perhaps because on the other side of the coin (or shall I say pen) it could have a negative effect. Naturally, if it is for a competitive entry, then you do need to go by the book (the contest rules) otherwise your creative piece will be rejected.

When you make a commitment, you create hope. When you keep a commitment you create trust! ~ John C. Maxwell

#768463

06 Jan 2023 21:53

Joined:	10/12/2016
Level:	Diamond
Points:	109183

Points:	4

The short story is a very popular medium that readers enjoy. It is crisp and concise, unlike a novel where elaborate details are provided along with the flow of the story.
There are many authors who write novels as well as short stories with the same effectiveness. Many readers prefer short stories over novels because of time constraints. Short stories having good twists and turns are liked by the readers. Generally, short stories are between 2000 to 2500 words but sometimes they could be longer also. Some short stories are very short also and are wound within 500 to 700 words.

Knowledge is power.

#768481

07 Jan 2023 14:14

Joined:	02/06/2009
Level:	Diamond
Points:	145337

Points:	5

Thank you Partha for giving us some input about a short story. I never attempted novels or short stories. A few I wrote on ISC. We go by the rules of the competition and the conditions set there. Anyhow, I think I should try a short story in my mother tongue and see if any journal will accept the same for publication. It may be a long-term goal for me. Generally, novels will get extended for more pages and the authors will take the story slowly and make us get attached to it keeping some suspense always. Writing a novel in any language is a very difficult proposition and the writer should have very good writing skills.
During my high school studies, my father took special care and taught me Telugu grammar and I learnt the same With that little knowledge I could write some Telugu poems and publish a book with those poems. Now let me try these short stories in Telugu.

drrao
always confident

#768489

07 Jan 2023 20:10

Joined:	19/06/2011
Level:	Gold
Points:	87632

Points:	8 (₹ 8)

I see this thread in an academic light.

Most of us had learned to write English by practicing in four-line copybooks. In fact, that was how most of us would have practiced cursive handwriting. But now none of us need a four-line copybook for writing long essays or short paragraphs. We could have even practiced writing on plain paper too. Probably it would not have a standard look and format and our writing could have gone literally astray and curved and thus taken a long time to practice. It is the same in the mathematics work book where we had practiced drawing margin lines on both sides, which served different purposes apart from neatness.

An expert circus artist who does various items in acrobatics and aerobatics, jumps and rides would also have practiced with nets and rings to safeguard and learn to be within limits. But when we see him perform he would not be using these or not confining himself to these visibly. That does not mean that these basic essentials are not at all necessary. A cow that grazes within a confined invisible circular area is actually habituated to its earlier confinement for along within a circular area allowed by the rope and stump it was tied to. But now it has got the habit to conform and confine without any visible controls.

Most of us would have learned English Grammar at least some basics as per the prescribed grammar book and syllabus. But now we either conform to it properly or even break those learned rules and tips knowingly too for convenience or popular usage.

Hence I welcome this thread as input in an academic sense and definitely, it will only help us to create short stories as it is deemed to be even when allowing some extra liberal indulgence. The availability of some extra discretionary allowance does not mean essentially breaking the rules and statutes.

Anyone who specialises in anything `needs to learn from the basics to have a strong grip and depth on the subject. Generalists can manage by just scraping through.

Let's discuss: What is a short story

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