doesn't quite get the meaning of 'short story'

[jana_denardo]

I don't. I just don't. I always end up with too much freaking plot for any one short story.

The Space Pirate story will probably be a novella and therefor unusable for the anthology I had hoped for. (at least there ARE erotica novella markets). Two out of the three last stories I sent in were rejected based on the whole 'this is good but too much plot for a short story theory.'

You know, next time I see an anthology I might like maybe I'll work with older lovers rekindling a romance so I don't have to have too much plot. Pulls out hair.

Comments

[ozma914.livejournal.com]

My short stories always seem to be too long and, ironically, my novels always run short. *sigh*

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

snort. that's even worse

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, would you have to do backstory explaining their split? :D

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

nope, not at all. DSP is having a couple I might want to think about. I'll be home for Christmas (maybe a demon hunter story), and one about taking vacations (which let's face it I suck at but maybe next week will help) the one set at college is too much like a busman's holiday

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

You and vacation is making me laugh.

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

all i can say is the vacation better be educational

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

*snickers*

[silvrethorn.livejournal.com]

Short stories are to prose writing what haiku is to poetry--you have to pick one single, salient plot point, distill it down to its essence and deliver it as succinctly and lucidly as possible. It is very, very hard to do, and unless your mind naturally runs that way it's hardly worth the aggravation. I think novels are actually easier to write than short stories. They just take more time and work.

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

no argument there. (mostly I'm write the shorts to keep my name out there) but novels are so much easier to write, or at least novellas are.

Maybe I can do the Christmas one with a group of established guys....

[corneliagrey.livejournal.com]

Ouch. I feel your pain.

I have exactly the same problem. By the time I've got the set up of the meeting, the meeting, and then the characters spending some time together (I don't believe in hi, you're handsome, I love you approach) the word count is already nearing the limit. Nevermind adding in some adventure + resolution and of course the hot sex, which can easily reach 2-3000 words for one scene...

Ugh. It looks like I'm just naturally wired for novellas. Most of my short stories end up that way...

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

(I don't believe in hi, you're handsome, I love you approach)

this, right here. This doesn't work for me and I'm always rolling my eyes when I see it.

You and I definitely have the same problem. Well if nothing else, DSP might not be able to use this for the anthology but at least I can market it to them as a novella.