Re: Public whine of no consequence...

Brian M. Scott <b.scott@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Ben Crowell wrote:

[...]

At the other end of the spectrum, my first reader (a.k.a.
wife) has been pushing me to say, in a single sentence,
what is the point of each short story I write. She says
if I can't do that, then I myself don't know what it's
about.

Even if that's true, I'm not convinced that knowing what
it's about is a requirement, or even all that important.
Unless, of course, you're a writer for whom it *is* that
important.

I think 'knowing what it's about' (aka the theme) is something that is
useful for revision, when you want to tighten up and refocus and shine a
spotlight on the important things.

But for shorts, sometimes, I think there's a subset that is about
planting an idea in the reader's head, or making them laugh etc, so the
point of the story might not have much to do with its contents.

Catja




--
writing blog @ http://beyond-elechan.livejournal.com
.

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