Short Stories

I love writing and reading short stories. I'm actually using short stories as a "starting point" for an uneager reader in my household. He's my nephew and we just became his guardian several months ago. He's sixteen and has never been encouraged to do more than play video games or send text messages, so I've been using short stories as a way of enriching his free time a bit. So far, it's working like a charm! It's easier for him to absorb and understand the material before getting bored too quickly. He particularly likes stories that are rich with the vivid details and descriptions you've described.

Since people are so short of time, I think the short story is even more popular now then it was in the past.

i am interested in writing short stories as well. i have published non fiction pieces but never fiction. this is something i will be working on. i think that people still lke shorter stories because we live such a busy life.

I enjoy reading any kind of story that catches my eye and my mind. Short or not, it doesn't matter. I'm not sure if short stories are a thing of the past or not, to be honest.

Sometimes the short stories are better than the long ones. I like short stories, especially if they are funny.

I like to read short stories, and I have also written a couple of stories myself. If the story is interesting it is not very important to me if it is novel or a short story, I like to read both kinds. Some time ago I borrowed a collection of short stories at the library, and I liked them very much, because they all had a very surprising end. I like the kind of stories where you think that you have figured everything out, but on the last page you realize that you were wrong, and you realize that the story was completely different from what you thought.

I really love short stories and buy books of them, but I have found that most readers prefer novels over short stories (at least among my friends). I enjoy writers who write short stories that are interconnected (where the same characters pop up in different ways). And I love quirky writers, people who have a different take on reality (not scifi, but interesting personalities and things to say about the real world). I have written a few short stories myself, but haven't worked on them in a long time. I've never been published, but if I were pursuing it, I think that's the place to begin. If you can write a great short story, you have really accomplished a lot in my book. Short stories don't allow for fluff or filler. Every word is important. Good luck with your writing!

Hi Rita! We love short stories around our house. I used to love the old Readers Digest because of the short stories presented there. My grown son likes to read to me often from a short story book. It has helped his reading skills since he suffers from mild brain damage from birth.You go girl....we love them! Hugs...Signy

In this fast paced society, people tend to accept short stories. But either long or short, we need to have a theme to make it meaningful, leaving outstanding characters and details for our memory. How to accomplish it is a challenge, but at least make it something to nourish our soul.

How short is short? If the story is only 3 pages, and full of descriptions, then it defeats the purpose. Whatever the length of the story, something must stand out and make the reader recall. I love Saki's short stories. There's always something memorable, even years after reading it. I remember one of his Clovis's story. His mother is too noisy, so Clovis wants to marry his mother off.

Short stories are always fun to read. I enjoy reading them because it's nice NOT to have to follow an entire plot and story line so closely. Don't get me wrong I loved reading my novels that have several books in the series, but sometimes I'd rather just sit down and read somethign not to complicated. As for the details and imagery, it usually depends on the person and the age group your trying to write for. I myself love imagery, and not to much in depth details; though if there isn't any details it's a rather "blah" reading. I write as well, but I don't publish anything. It's more of a self justice thing.