Allison Symes's Blog - Posts Tagged "mixing-up-your-reading"
Mixing It Up
I like to mix up what I read in terms of genre and word count. I love (and write) flash fiction, likewise short stories, but there are times when nothing but a full length novel will do. There is no way Tolkein could have done justice to The Lord of the Rings in three short stories!!
Having said that, I am still stunned they managed to get three films out of The Hobbit, given it was only one book. Hey ho...
The correct word count for any story, of course, is when no more can be said and when to remove anything would be to the detriment of the tale in some way.
I think as a reader of too many years to count, you do develop an instinctive feeling for when a writer has got the word count right. I want to feel at the end of a story disappointed it has come to an end, but at the same time, know within myself, there really was no more to be said. Naturally that's a challenge to me for my own writing but this is a good thing. It keeps me on my toes!
One of the things I love about creative writing is one of the best tips any writer has to improve their skills is to read widely and across the genres, including non-fiction. You do learn by absorbing what others have done before you. Absolutely no problem with that, then, and bring it on!
Having said that, I am still stunned they managed to get three films out of The Hobbit, given it was only one book. Hey ho...
The correct word count for any story, of course, is when no more can be said and when to remove anything would be to the detriment of the tale in some way.
I think as a reader of too many years to count, you do develop an instinctive feeling for when a writer has got the word count right. I want to feel at the end of a story disappointed it has come to an end, but at the same time, know within myself, there really was no more to be said. Naturally that's a challenge to me for my own writing but this is a good thing. It keeps me on my toes!
One of the things I love about creative writing is one of the best tips any writer has to improve their skills is to read widely and across the genres, including non-fiction. You do learn by absorbing what others have done before you. Absolutely no problem with that, then, and bring it on!
Short Stories and Flash Fiction
I'm glad to see the return of short stories and the development of flash fiction for many reasons. One of these is that I write both so I won't pretend to be unbiased here. But the major reason for loving this development is it expands the kind of reading available.
I love novels but it is great being able to read a collection of short stories or flash fiction after finishing one full length tome. It mixes up what I read. By the time I've finished reading an anthology I'm raring to get on with a novel again!
Also if the novel has been a dark one in terms of mood, there's nothing like a collection of funny short stories to show the opposite side of life and I, for one, find that helpful. I don't want to read "dark" all the time. I also know life isn't always one big laugh so I like to have a balance of dark and light in my reading, as well as my own writing.
I love novels but it is great being able to read a collection of short stories or flash fiction after finishing one full length tome. It mixes up what I read. By the time I've finished reading an anthology I'm raring to get on with a novel again!
Also if the novel has been a dark one in terms of mood, there's nothing like a collection of funny short stories to show the opposite side of life and I, for one, find that helpful. I don't want to read "dark" all the time. I also know life isn't always one big laugh so I like to have a balance of dark and light in my reading, as well as my own writing.
Favourite Short Stories
Confession time, I don’t have an overall favourite short story. I love too many of them to pick an outright favourite.
But the classic fairy tales are amongst them. I also love the short stories of Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse, as well as being a fan of their longer works.
Sometimes a story is better told in the short form - I admire those writers who can do both.
I make a point of mixing up what I read in terms of genre but I also do so for word count. I deliberately read short story collections and flash fiction anthologies in amongst my novels and long form non-fiction books. I think a mix is good for you!
I will often use a short story or flash collection to decide what genre of novel I will be reading next. I don’t strictly read to order on my To Be Read pile. Does anyone?
I go with what I fancy reading and work my way through! But the short story and flash collections can help me work out what I do fancy reading next!
But the classic fairy tales are amongst them. I also love the short stories of Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse, as well as being a fan of their longer works.
Sometimes a story is better told in the short form - I admire those writers who can do both.
I make a point of mixing up what I read in terms of genre but I also do so for word count. I deliberately read short story collections and flash fiction anthologies in amongst my novels and long form non-fiction books. I think a mix is good for you!
I will often use a short story or flash collection to decide what genre of novel I will be reading next. I don’t strictly read to order on my To Be Read pile. Does anyone?
I go with what I fancy reading and work my way through! But the short story and flash collections can help me work out what I do fancy reading next!
The Value of Story Collections
I write for story collections as well as having my own flash fiction books out with Chapeltown Books. So I appreciate story collections and have a number on my shelves, including those I have not written for.
I love novels. I love short stories. I love mixing up reading longer work with shorter work. I think short story and flash fiction collections are invaluable additions to my book shelves.
Story collections are perfect for dipping into, especially when you don’t have as much time to read as you would like. It happens.
From my viewpoint as a writer, I have found at book events, it is easy to share a little bit from my collections to show what flash fiction is and can be. I’ve made sales that way! People love being read to and indeed I love this myself.
So when you are wondering what your next book should be, why not turn to the shorter form and try out a collection or two? They are also excellent for introducing you to other writers. I’ve come across great writers, whose works I’ve loved, this way.
I love novels. I love short stories. I love mixing up reading longer work with shorter work. I think short story and flash fiction collections are invaluable additions to my book shelves.
Story collections are perfect for dipping into, especially when you don’t have as much time to read as you would like. It happens.
From my viewpoint as a writer, I have found at book events, it is easy to share a little bit from my collections to show what flash fiction is and can be. I’ve made sales that way! People love being read to and indeed I love this myself.
So when you are wondering what your next book should be, why not turn to the shorter form and try out a collection or two? They are also excellent for introducing you to other writers. I’ve come across great writers, whose works I’ve loved, this way.
Short Form Collections
I read a number of short form collections because (a) I love them and (b) I’ve contributed to many of them in my time and still do, the most recent being the hot-off-the-presses The Best of CafeLit 13.
Also my flash fiction collections, From Light To Dark and Back Again and Tripping The Flash Fantastic, come into this category too.
Short stories are fantastic for dipping into. They’re also great for helping me make up my mind what longer form work I want to read next.
I also like to ensure I have a good reading diet by reading novels, short stories, flash, magazines, ebooks etc. I’ve never seen the point of limiting yourself to just reading in one category!
But the advantage of the short form, flash or standard length short story, is in giving a reader an impact that much more quickly. For twist in the tail stories, you get to the twist more quickly too. I like that.
Also my flash fiction collections, From Light To Dark and Back Again and Tripping The Flash Fantastic, come into this category too.
Short stories are fantastic for dipping into. They’re also great for helping me make up my mind what longer form work I want to read next.
I also like to ensure I have a good reading diet by reading novels, short stories, flash, magazines, ebooks etc. I’ve never seen the point of limiting yourself to just reading in one category!
But the advantage of the short form, flash or standard length short story, is in giving a reader an impact that much more quickly. For twist in the tail stories, you get to the twist more quickly too. I like that.
