There is no superior form, short stories get a lot of flack for not being the best bang for the buck for most people. They want the best deal even though a collection of short stories can be just as satisfying to read as a singular novel. Im reading ray bradburys the sound of thunder collection, and im enjoying reading one short story a night. Its a bit more satisfying than reading chapters at a time from a novel. It comes down to personal preference
It is said that those that master the short story make the best novelists. Short stories are no easier to write than a novel, either, and take great skill -- even more so if under 10k. Anyway, nice interview. Shame it cut...
I have just read a book of short stories on eBook. The book is called Creepy Little Things by Parrish Gore. Very good stories, very suspenseful. I think he is just starting out, but I really hope to see more of his work. Kept me on the edge of my seat.
I think one way of doing it is to not think "what can I write that will scare people?", but instead focus on atmosphere and mood, trying to come up with the mental images and settings you loved to read about when reading horror from whenever you started to read it up till today and include it in the story.
I also starting writing short stories. I was 13. I am trying to write my first novel. It seems overwhelming but i also feel like I could end up making series because there's so much to it :)
Cheryl Dahl I used to have this problem as well, until I made myself a rule maybe it could help you out. It's the "5 minute rule". Basically, what you do is you force (yes, you heard me, 'force') yourself to write for a minimum of five minutes. Anything, good or bad. The trick is that since you like writing you'll find yourself engaged and will want to do it for longer than 5 minutes. It's helped me inmensly and I've reached almost 60 pages in like three months, which is a lot compared to what I usually did. Also, have word count goals. I usually try for 1000-2000 words a day and again, it helps.
Short stories aren't harder to write than novels! I don't get people's opinions here. It's much harder to write a good novel than a short story. The keyword here being 'good' novel; that is, one that flows well toward a satisfying conclusion. If you look on Amazon, everyone would rather buy a full-length novel than a short story, even if it's total crap. I'd much rather be able to write novels than short stories!
Short stories require a specific skill that novels don't: the ability to condense. With a novel you are unlimited in how you want to tell your story. With a short story, it's more of an exercise in editing, and cutting out the wrong things to meet length requirements could be dangerous to your narrative.
One question guys: for horror, is it better vague backgrounds to instill imagination or precise informations? I feel that short-stories are better with vague settings to make a universal sensation when the horror comes, but novels with defined settings make them more believable.
Istari, maybe a combination of both...with less 'background' in a *short story. Moderation is optimal in my view; but it depends on the specific situation you've placed your readers into. 'Leaving it to a reader's imagination' is good in its own way, and creates excitement. More background is good for novels, in my view. I place background sporadically and more intensiveness at needed intervals in my *novels...while providing any needed info to my readers 'as needed.' (I like writing third person narrative, and a main character with limited omniscience.) The main thing I've learned is: It is a balancing act, Istari, with never too much or too little background. I write another genre (Western/Cowboy/Adventure and Action), but this seems to work for all genres. I saw your question and wanted to help. Hope I have. Best of writing to you!
I'm doing a crime investigation thriller that turns into a horror half way through but it seems hard to scare readers when you cant add jump scares and so on yet you need to write horror that stays with people
Stephen King is such an inspiration to me
Love this style
This is why I'm writing a horror novel for my youtube channel
There is no superior form, short stories get a lot of flack for not being the best bang for the buck for most people. They want the best deal even though a collection of short stories can be just as satisfying to read as a singular novel.
Im reading ray bradburys the sound of thunder collection, and im enjoying reading one short story a night.
Its a bit more satisfying than reading chapters at a time from a novel.
It comes down to personal preference
Are there any videos about him talking about how he writes disturbing themes in his books without fear of backlash
Easy money was the reason I wrote.
Holy shit, a video produced by Borders. This is like stumbling upon the remains of a lost civilization.
Hahah yes, used to love going there as a kid
I've been a King fan since I was a teen. He is the whole reason I dove into reading and inspired me to write.
I LOVE STEPHEN KING
thank you for giving so much pleasure, my dog diesel helps with the feat x
Borders... Back in the good ol' days
***** Borders has been out of business for years.
I have been a steven king fan since I was a kid. He inspires me to write a horror novel.
I freaken miss borders, as an author myself i would sit in there all the time
It is said that those that master the short story make the best novelists. Short stories are no easier to write than a novel, either, and take great skill -- even more so if under 10k.
Anyway, nice interview. Shame it cut...
I have just read a book of short stories on eBook. The book is called Creepy Little Things by Parrish Gore. Very good stories, very suspenseful. I think he is just starting out, but I really hope to see more of his work. Kept me on the edge of my seat.
I find it so hard to write horror. It's not as easy as folks think.
I think I'm a great (well not bad) writer, except when it comes to fear.
I think one way of doing it is to not think "what can I write that will scare people?", but instead focus on atmosphere and mood, trying to come up with the mental images and settings you loved to read about when reading horror from whenever you started to read it up till today and include it in the story.
Tim Hansen Good tip!!Thanks!!
kimdkus Don't mention it.
Tim Hansen I am currently working on the plot of a Horror/Suspense novella.
This interviewer is too calm. It makes me nervous.
+Andy McIntyre I think there is "something" about the way he talks that unnerves me.
unnerves is too strong a word, through
I fell asleep 2mins into the interview...
Nah, I didn't really but you get the point.
same here lol
I also starting writing short stories. I was 13. I am trying to write my first novel. It seems overwhelming but i also feel like I could end up making series because there's so much to it :)
Writing my first novel as well... How is it going?
Slowly :/
I can't seem to focus... everything is a distraction.
Cheryl Dahl I used to have this problem as well, until I made myself a rule maybe it could help you out. It's the "5 minute rule".
Basically, what you do is you force (yes, you heard me, 'force') yourself to write for a minimum of five minutes. Anything, good or bad. The trick is that since you like writing you'll find yourself engaged and will want to do it for longer than 5 minutes. It's helped me inmensly and I've reached almost 60 pages in like three months, which is a lot compared to what I usually did.
Also, have word count goals. I usually try for 1000-2000 words a day and again, it helps.
I was writing a horror story and I saw all these videos on youtube about it, but I then saw stephen king and immediately clicked.
I hate being stumped while writing where I go a period without writing.
I enjoy those times :)
I wrote my horror short film Cynthia because it freaked me out and I think that's important for a writer
Short stories aren't harder to write than novels! I don't get people's opinions here. It's much harder to write a good novel than a short story. The keyword here being 'good' novel; that is, one that flows well toward a satisfying conclusion. If you look on Amazon, everyone would rather buy a full-length novel than a short story, even if it's total crap. I'd much rather be able to write novels than short stories!
I find it just the opposite, it's easier to write a novel than short story. It just depends on the person.
They are both equally difficult as they are both a different discipline and have their own challenges.
Short stories require a specific skill that novels don't: the ability to condense. With a novel you are unlimited in how you want to tell your story. With a short story, it's more of an exercise in editing, and cutting out the wrong things to meet length requirements could be dangerous to your narrative.
One question guys: for horror, is it better vague backgrounds to instill imagination or precise informations?
I feel that short-stories are better with vague settings to make a universal sensation when the horror comes, but novels with defined settings make them more believable.
Istari, maybe a combination of both...with less 'background' in a *short story. Moderation is optimal in my view; but it depends on the specific situation you've placed your readers into. 'Leaving it to a reader's imagination' is good in its own way, and creates excitement. More background is good for novels, in my view. I place background sporadically and more intensiveness at needed intervals in my *novels...while providing any needed info to my readers 'as needed.' (I like writing third person narrative, and a main character with limited omniscience.) The main thing I've learned is: It is a balancing act, Istari, with never too much or too little background.
I write another genre (Western/Cowboy/Adventure and Action), but this seems to work for all genres. I saw your question and wanted to help. Hope I have. Best of writing to you!
I'm doing a crime investigation thriller that turns into a horror half way through but it seems hard to scare readers when you cant add jump scares and so on yet you need to write horror that stays with people
Always go to childhood fears my friend
Being alone in the dark is a big fear of mine as a child
I love how Joel Olsten's book is in the background. I think Boarder's is trying to say that Stephen King needs to get help from God. Lawl.
He seems to be an interesting novelist
Y'all remember Borders?
too many chairs were in there. I'd be like damn, I can just read it here.
My God he looks like Dr. Seuss
Who else thinks Stephen has the look of Jan-Michal Vincent?
Man Borders had alot of variety. Unlike BandN