A Short Short Story Theory

[clarentine]

Notes from a conversation corrinalaw and I had earlier today, occasioned by the rejection of my short story Straying:

*****

I had a brain flash the other day, with regard to short stories and
getting them published. It's not so much that the story is
unique--though that's helpful--or that it addresses some element of
SFF that has never been addressed before--because that's unlikely.
What matters is that the story be the best at what it is addressing.

I've said before (or I think I have) that I believe that short stories are about ideas, not characters. So, each short story pursues its idea, its theme, and the ones that best explore that theme are the ones that get grabbed up by the editors.

I think that Straying (the (very) short fiction piece I had rejected
by F&SF) is a good story. I think it fulfills the promise made to the reader at the start. I think the characterization and setting are interesting and solid. But does it thoroughly explore its theme of the outsider rejecting membership in the group he'd previously wanted to be a part of? I am not so sure. If there is something about this story that can be strengthened, I think this is it.

*****

I am not sure, at this juncture, what I could improve about Straying's focus on its theme. That it can be improved, I have no doubt. Some day, I'll work on it.

At the moment, however, Josh has my attention, and so it's pirates!pirates!pirates! 24/7 at the center of my consciousness.

Comments

Re: "Straying" Will Rise Again

[clarentine]

No doubt I will!