Very well, this topic may be quite boring and non-debatable for some, but it's been going around my head for a while and would like to exchange ideas with other posters.
Although short tales is a branch of literature much more cultivated by the Latin American writers than the English speaking world, we all know the traditional structure of short tales: Inciting event, crisis, crisis and climax (in crescendo until here), and then the resolution in decreasing shape.
There are many rules and recommendations on how to solve the tale, how to locate the crisis points as axis, etc. etc. However, the basic structure is that and some play with the flashback or return, amongst other techniques.
My view is that the short tale, after many experiments taking place at the boom of the 70's and 80's, came to a really boring point where the 'experiments were no longer experiments. Which brings me the question: Are there new options or there is no remedy and the art of the short tale will return to its classic structure?
Debate.
P.S. I think this same debate can be drawn for music, graphic arts, cinema, etc.
Originally posted by SeitseWow! something interesting at least here!
Very well, this topic may be quite boring and non-debatable for some, but it's been going around my head for a while and would like to exchange ideas with other posters.
Although short tales is a branch of literature much more cultivated by the Latin American writers than the English speaking world, we all know the traditional structure of short tales: Inc ...[text shortened]...
Debate.
P.S. I think this same debate can be drawn for music, graphic arts, cinema, etc.
You could have a look at the asian litterature to start with, that will give you already plenty of new paterns.
Lets start: difference between occidental and oriental story telling art.
example: Somebody kills your brother.
Occidental narration is a line, which means that the hero will continue into a straigh line his life until something (hamartia) happens.
Then the hero will STOP his whole life to solve that specific problem.
"I wont get any rest untill my brother is avenged"
Oriental narration is a circle, which means that you keep passing again and again through the same patern in your life.
So if somebody kills my bro, I will just do...nothing, because I know that when I'll come back to the same point in the circle, something will happen that will:
1) avenge my brother in a way stronger that I couldnt ever achieved
2) I will "solve" my sorrow or my problem (for instance the problems that I have with my parents will be "solved" when I will become a father or a mother)
Thats why the seasons are so important in Asian stories, haikus,...
It stands on the idea that bad actions will be punished and that most of the time you havent to do anything (Chan Monks), because everything will be given to you and everything that you loose are things that you don't need anyway.
Wide subject!
I think most good short stories follow a plot line that is easily approachable for it's readers. It may have unexpected twists like a mystery mystery, but ultimately the point of writing, any writing is to connect with the reader. Novelty is not novelty if it sacrifices the ability to talk to an audience.
Originally posted by DoctorDaraA story is never about what is being told, it's always about what the reader imagines, everything that the reader brings into the book. If your mind aint working full power when reading, you are bored.
I think most good short stories follow a plot line that is easily approachable for it's readers. It may have unexpected twists like a mystery mystery, but ultimately the point of writing, any writing is to connect with the reader. Novelty is not novelty if it sacrifices the ability to talk to an audience.
Its never about telling, it's about triggering that thing in the mind.
Also you got to know that the story is never important at all in the narration, only the characters are. When you got your characters well built, then the readers enjoy whatever happens. Thats why the worst book you've ever read has probably the same story than the one you absolutely adore.
Originally posted by RedmikeHaikus work pretty much the same, so few words but it triggers so much in your head.
Marquez, for example, is the master of short stories where, in terms of plot, nothing much happens.
But fantastic in their own right.
I am finishing Traven's "The Carreta".
Really really no much happening there but wow wow wow so magic the writting of the characters.
Hey, hey, wait a second, now THAT is interesting. Asian literature is
a mistery for me. Care to share some good authors?
I am familiar with Latin American writers, of course, and I am in the
middle of the process of comparing them with English speaking ones,
so it would be amazing to get the approach of the Asian literature.
Originally posted by SeitseKind of like what Ovid did with his Metamorphoses, yeah?
'Remakes' or variations of classical writings into
short stories updated to our times.
J.G. Ballard claims that the English short story--his ones, anyway--suffers from a scarcity of publishing opportunities.
I wonder if Jee can recommend any (English translations of) Asian stories written in the teeth of modernity. Not counting Murakami Haruki.
Originally posted by Bosse de NageHaruki. Check.
Kind of like what Ovid did with his Metamorphoses, yeah?
J.G. Ballard claims that the English short story--his ones, anyway--suffers from a scarcity of publishing opportunities.
I wonder if Jee can recommend any (English translations of) Asian stories written in the teeth of modernity. Not counting Murakami Haruki.
Yes, I really would like some names thrown into the table. I would love
to compare structures, more than the thematics.
Originally posted by SeitseBallard's Atrocity Exhibition is worth looking at. A series of parallel stories like compacted novels, non-linear narrative (simultaneity of strophe, anti-strophe, catastrophe...)
Yes, I really would like some names thrown into the table. I would love
to compare structures, more than the thematics.
Originally posted by treetalkOnly by fools...I think this thread is supposed to be about forms rather than content, though. Do you reckon he's made any formal innovations?
If I say that I think Stephen King has written some great short stories will I get laughed at? 😳
Which King shorts do you like, anyway? I've only read novels...The Dark Tower series is pretty good, really.