What does the word "story" mean to you?
"A story is something which wobbles reality, affects a change in the reader, shakes things enough that we see anew. I do not much care for the American style 'condensed novel' sometimes called a short-story. Shortness (under 10K) is not my definition of a short story. A short-story should, I think, have poetic elements and should think of itself as an extended poem, not necessarily poetically languaged but trying to unseat the reader, with a single insight, a beautiful phrase or the perfectly placed punctuation mark."
Alex Keegan, author of Ballistics, interviewed in July's Short Review.
WOMEN RULE WRITER: Lit blog of Nuala O'Connor / Nuala Ní Chonchúir
6 comments:
I love that first line, how totally apt that word is - wobbles.
And I forgot to say how beautiful your Nude cover is. It's very clean and crisp looking - suits the title! Now, can't wait to read it and sample its wares! Lemme at it!
Hey B
Alex's stories are VG - always interesting and memorable and v well written. And he's v knowledgeable on the short story.
Yes, I LOVE the cover - I'm so happy with it. THere just had to be a nude on the cover but it also had to be tasteful. I think that has been achieved!
N x
Thanks for stopping by my blog: appreciate it.
The short story has been due a major renaissance - it's satisfying to see it happening.
And the cover of your book is "so brave and so free", (as Cohen sings in Tonight Will Be Fine); really lovely.
Yes, like this quote too...very fitting...like the 'wobbly' implication and the 'unseating' and the poetic punch. ; )
"the perfectly placed punctuation mark" is a wonderful phrase and a challenge to all writers. How many times do we remove and at a later revision replace a punctuation mark
Rachel - sometimes because I'm in the thick of that renaissance, I believe the s/story is SO strong. Then I think about ordinary readers who just seem to runa mile from the story and I think, 'Hang on, we're just a select few story nuts. We need to force feed it to the masses!'
Liz - I like that 'unseating' too. I love when a story has a delicious surprise, much like a good poem.
Michael - it's so true!! I fiddle with punctuation endlessly and usually end up back where I was to begin with!
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