Janie Dempsey Watts's Blog
November 7, 2017
The Appeal of Short Stories
Short Stories: A Short-Term Commitment
By Janie Dempsey Watts
Sometimes writers just don’t want to commit. Living with the same characters for a year or two or even longer seems daunting. In fact, writing an entire novel is like marrying. You have to be in it for the long haul, for better or worse.
If you aren’t quite married (pun intended) to your idea for a novel or don’t have long stretches of time to write, penning a short story is a fun way to delve into a topic and create characters you may not necessarily want to live with for the long term. I like to think of spending time on short stories like dating. You and your characters can have some fun together, experience some highs and lows, and after a while, you can terminate your relationship and move on.
However, being in this short-term “relationship” instead of a long-term one requires switching gears. With novel writing, you have more time to spend setting up your story and characters, and every chapter leads into the next one. For example, a chapter in a book might end like this: “I heard a scrape against the porch. Could it be Drake?” Hopefully, the next chapter will tell us more and lead us forward in the plot. On the other hand, a short story ending should feel like the ending of the tale, and there is no more to come.
Since a short story has a much smaller word count, fewer characters will populate your fictional world. These characters don’t have a lot of time to dilly-dally. Characters need to target their actions. For example, in my story “Backyard Messages,” we immediately find out that one of the main characters believes seeing an owl can bring good luck, and her sharing this with her boss drives the story.
In addition to providing a break from a longer work, writing short stories gives a writer the opportunity to explore different points of view, settings, and themes, and a chance to play with structure. When finished, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of completing something quickly. Moreover, if you decide the story isn’t working and needs to be shelved, you haven’t wasted a year or two of your valuable time.
As for me, all these reasons for a short-term relationship appeal, but the main reason is was when I see something really odd or funny; I have to write about it. Thus, “Erice,” set in Sicily and featuring two empty nesters, came about when my family and I wandered through the cobblestone streets of this medieval town. I spotted a sign for an interplanetary disaster conference. The odd juxtaposition of ancient and modern made me laugh—and fueled my creativity.
Did I feel guilty for taking a break from my novel writing when this new idea lured me away? No, I did not. I needed a break from my longer, more serious work. I felt recharged by my “mini-vacation” to another time and place, and I returned to my novel with new energy.
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A native of Chattanooga with strong roots in North Georgia, Janie Dempsey Watts studied journalism at the University of California, Berkeley (B.A.) and at the University of Southern California (M.A.) Her curiosity about most everything led to a writing career. She writes both fiction and non-fiction. Her stories have been published in literary journals, magazines, and anthologies. The Wisdom-Faulkner Writing Competition named her short story, “Erice,” as a finalist.Her new short story collection, Mothers, Sons, Beloveds, and Other Strangers (Bold Horses Press, 2017), features 15 tales set in the South, California, and Europe. She also wrote two novels set in a fictional North Georgia town, Moon Over Taylor'sRidge (2012) and Return to Taylor’s Crossing (2015). Please visit her at: www.janiewatts.com, or at her author page, https://www.facebook.com/Janie-Dempse....
By Janie Dempsey Watts
Sometimes writers just don’t want to commit. Living with the same characters for a year or two or even longer seems daunting. In fact, writing an entire novel is like marrying. You have to be in it for the long haul, for better or worse.
If you aren’t quite married (pun intended) to your idea for a novel or don’t have long stretches of time to write, penning a short story is a fun way to delve into a topic and create characters you may not necessarily want to live with for the long term. I like to think of spending time on short stories like dating. You and your characters can have some fun together, experience some highs and lows, and after a while, you can terminate your relationship and move on.
However, being in this short-term “relationship” instead of a long-term one requires switching gears. With novel writing, you have more time to spend setting up your story and characters, and every chapter leads into the next one. For example, a chapter in a book might end like this: “I heard a scrape against the porch. Could it be Drake?” Hopefully, the next chapter will tell us more and lead us forward in the plot. On the other hand, a short story ending should feel like the ending of the tale, and there is no more to come.
Since a short story has a much smaller word count, fewer characters will populate your fictional world. These characters don’t have a lot of time to dilly-dally. Characters need to target their actions. For example, in my story “Backyard Messages,” we immediately find out that one of the main characters believes seeing an owl can bring good luck, and her sharing this with her boss drives the story.
In addition to providing a break from a longer work, writing short stories gives a writer the opportunity to explore different points of view, settings, and themes, and a chance to play with structure. When finished, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of completing something quickly. Moreover, if you decide the story isn’t working and needs to be shelved, you haven’t wasted a year or two of your valuable time.
As for me, all these reasons for a short-term relationship appeal, but the main reason is was when I see something really odd or funny; I have to write about it. Thus, “Erice,” set in Sicily and featuring two empty nesters, came about when my family and I wandered through the cobblestone streets of this medieval town. I spotted a sign for an interplanetary disaster conference. The odd juxtaposition of ancient and modern made me laugh—and fueled my creativity.
Did I feel guilty for taking a break from my novel writing when this new idea lured me away? No, I did not. I needed a break from my longer, more serious work. I felt recharged by my “mini-vacation” to another time and place, and I returned to my novel with new energy.
__________________________________________________________________
A native of Chattanooga with strong roots in North Georgia, Janie Dempsey Watts studied journalism at the University of California, Berkeley (B.A.) and at the University of Southern California (M.A.) Her curiosity about most everything led to a writing career. She writes both fiction and non-fiction. Her stories have been published in literary journals, magazines, and anthologies. The Wisdom-Faulkner Writing Competition named her short story, “Erice,” as a finalist.Her new short story collection, Mothers, Sons, Beloveds, and Other Strangers (Bold Horses Press, 2017), features 15 tales set in the South, California, and Europe. She also wrote two novels set in a fictional North Georgia town, Moon Over Taylor'sRidge (2012) and Return to Taylor’s Crossing (2015). Please visit her at: www.janiewatts.com, or at her author page, https://www.facebook.com/Janie-Dempse....
June 14, 2017
B & N Author of the Month
Happy to announce that Barnes and Noble, Chattanooga, has named me "Author of the Month" for June.
http://newschannel9.com/this-n-that/r...
http://newschannel9.com/this-n-that/r...
March 22, 2017
Do you like stories?
If you're like me, you love short stories because they require only a short commitment--you can read one and then move on to the next, enjoying a different cast of characters in every story.
Next month, my short story collection will be released, Mothers, Sons, Beloveds, and Other Strangers (Bold Horses Press, 2017). The book features 15 stories set in the South, California, and Europe. Some of the stories are edgy, and some are funny. Here's more from the back cover description:
--Why did Sadie's mother run away? And when will she return?
--Must a teenager learn the truth about her daddy the hard way?
--In an Italian laundromat, what kind of trouble can a restless wife find?
As soon as this collection is available, I'll let you hear. Meanwhile, happy reading!
Next month, my short story collection will be released, Mothers, Sons, Beloveds, and Other Strangers (Bold Horses Press, 2017). The book features 15 stories set in the South, California, and Europe. Some of the stories are edgy, and some are funny. Here's more from the back cover description:
--Why did Sadie's mother run away? And when will she return?
--Must a teenager learn the truth about her daddy the hard way?
--In an Italian laundromat, what kind of trouble can a restless wife find?
As soon as this collection is available, I'll let you hear. Meanwhile, happy reading!
November 26, 2016
Inspiration, writing style, and more
Interviewer Heather Campbell of Maiden's Court blog discusses the indieB.R.A.G. Medallion, literary aspects of "Return to Taylor's Crossing," and more:
http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/2...
http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/2...
November 21, 2016
In-depth interview
I was really pleased to share about my writing in this in-depth interview by Paige Boggs:
http://electivelypaige.com/interview-...
Sadly, though, the theme of racism which my second novel explores, is even more relevant today than ever.
http://electivelypaige.com/interview-...
Sadly, though, the theme of racism which my second novel explores, is even more relevant today than ever.
October 31, 2016
In-depth Review
Just saw a comprehensive, and wonderful, review of "Return to Taylor's Crossing" on the Internet Review of Books. Thanks to the reviewer, Dennis Rizzo. Here's the review, which gives an excellent overview of my novel without giving away spoilers.
http://internetreviewofbooks.blogspot...
http://internetreviewofbooks.blogspot...
August 4, 2016
Choosing a Narrator
In this blog post for "Southern Writers Magazine" Suite T, I discuss how I decided which characters would tell the story.
http://southernwritersmagazine.blogsp...
http://southernwritersmagazine.blogsp...
July 3, 2016
Featured in Southern Writers Magazine
The July-August edition of Southern Writers Magazine feature discusses my writing roots in the current issue.
To see a peek, please visit my website, www.janiewatts.com.
To see a peek, please visit my website, www.janiewatts.com.
May 26, 2016
Memorial Day--Free on Kindle
My novel, "Return to Taylor's Crossing," will be FREE on Kindle from Friday, May 27 through Sunday, May 29. Considered "southern literary fiction," this novel explores the effects of 1959 hate crimes against a young couple--and four others involved--over a lifetime.
May 6, 2016
A "Must Read"
The May-June issue of "Southern Writers Magazine" features my second novel, "Return to Taylor's Crossing," as a must read.
Thank you "Southern Writers Magazine!"
Thank you "Southern Writers Magazine!"
