Today Tin House linked over to Open Culture for a list of 8 suggestions for constructing a short story by Kurt Vonnegut. They are concise and helpful for every writer to bear in mind, or at least to try to only break one or two at at time:
While each has strong merit, I'm paying particular attention to #8, since I chopped such a beginning from a recent CNF that has been getting rejections. Maybe I'll add the old beginning back and try another few places before I give up on it entirely. I am also going to have #4 tattooed to the inside of my wrist--happily my most recently completed story passed this test. Finally, we all pretty much know that I'm already committed to #6.
In other news, what does this image have to do with anything?
- Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.
- Give the reader at least one character he or she can root for.
- Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water.
- Every sentence must do one of two things–reveal character or advance the action.
- Start as close to the end as possible.
- Be a sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them–in order that the reader may see what they are made of.
- Write to please just one person. If you open a window and make love to the world, so to speak, your story will get pneumonia.
- Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To heck with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages.
While each has strong merit, I'm paying particular attention to #8, since I chopped such a beginning from a recent CNF that has been getting rejections. Maybe I'll add the old beginning back and try another few places before I give up on it entirely. I am also going to have #4 tattooed to the inside of my wrist--happily my most recently completed story passed this test. Finally, we all pretty much know that I'm already committed to #6.
In other news, what does this image have to do with anything?
This was the most charming, reasonably priced hotel in Santa Monica, CA. We were told it was once a long-term hotel for working folk around Los Angeles, aspiring models and actors, and young couples. Walking distance from The Promenade and the ocean lane that winds a lovely view, it was stuck in another time, with little post WWII kitchenettes and a nostalgic, damp scent throughout the grounds. Aaron and I had a corner studio suite last summer: huge room with a walk-in closet, aforementioned kitchenette, floor to ceiling corner windows, a peekaboo view to the ocean and a balcony at high season for $225/night. You felt you were in your own little art-deco era apartment. This Inn was bought 6 months ago, redecorated (tastefully, yes) and renamed the Palihouse Inn, and the same room we had now goes for $459/night.
They used to sign out bicycles for free, and now you must rent them. They replaced the vintage porcelain stoves for new "high-end" appliances. As an example of the new mindset, "we've retailored this one-of-a-kind urban lodge to conjure up the ideal pied-a-terre you've always imagined." I don't know about you, but I haven't spent much time imagining my ideal "pied-a-terre." What they've done is paint and wallpapered and now priced a perfectly wonderful place that families and couples who crave authenticity and charm might have enjoyed, out of the realm of possibility for most of us. <sigh>
I would still grudgingly recommend this place, but bear in mind that: "At Palihouse Santa Monica, discriminating tastemakers and world travelers are empowered to experience the heartfelt expressions of residential-style dwelling when visiting coastal Southern California without having to compromise on location, style, amenities or service." Puleaze.
They used to sign out bicycles for free, and now you must rent them. They replaced the vintage porcelain stoves for new "high-end" appliances. As an example of the new mindset, "we've retailored this one-of-a-kind urban lodge to conjure up the ideal pied-a-terre you've always imagined." I don't know about you, but I haven't spent much time imagining my ideal "pied-a-terre." What they've done is paint and wallpapered and now priced a perfectly wonderful place that families and couples who crave authenticity and charm might have enjoyed, out of the realm of possibility for most of us. <sigh>
I would still grudgingly recommend this place, but bear in mind that: "At Palihouse Santa Monica, discriminating tastemakers and world travelers are empowered to experience the heartfelt expressions of residential-style dwelling when visiting coastal Southern California without having to compromise on location, style, amenities or service." Puleaze.
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