tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161136885462262525.post7933499633726712027..comments2024-03-09T00:19:36.011-08:00Comments on Reading the Short Story: Plot vs. Prose in Best British Short Stories: 2011Charles E. Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11642048806407593585noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161136885462262525.post-50824036796462053282015-10-14T10:45:21.034-07:002015-10-14T10:45:21.034-07:00I wish I could get a monthly short story discussio...I wish I could get a monthly short story discussion group going :(<br /><br />But I did wish to note, referencing your reaction to Kureishi's statement , that a reader only cares about what happens next shows a lack of respect for the reader, that respect for actual readers is what is lacking in general with short stories. In my experience, the vast majority of short story writers (1) write for their peers in the writing and academic communities (a tiny subset of potential readers), (2) write them largely as warm-up or promotional devices for their novels (and publishers of collections reinforce this by requesting stories from big names with which to promote their collections, e.g., Hilary Mantel), or (3) write them strictly for sales (unabashedly genre stories).<br /><br />I think quality short stories need to be reintroduced to the reading public as wonderful stand-alone experiences. I suspect I am preaching to the choir here (as you maintain one of the only sources of short story critique and reader enthusiasm). I'm trying to figure out how to do that here in St. Louis region.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161136885462262525.post-80617585088642140482015-10-01T13:31:15.601-07:002015-10-01T13:31:15.601-07:00Hi, Keith, I have been thinking on your query abou...Hi, Keith, I have been thinking on your query about "plotless" stories. I am currently reading the 2015 O. Henry Prize Stories and think that Lydia Davis'story "The Seals," which appeared last year in The Paris Review, might qualify. It is largely a meditation about the loss of a sister. Charles E. Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11642048806407593585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161136885462262525.post-56580687155570961632015-09-27T12:43:57.420-07:002015-09-27T12:43:57.420-07:00My monthly short story discussion group is discuss...My monthly short story discussion group is discussing "plotless" stories next month. So far we've chosen, "Ghost and Empties" by Lauren Groff and "The Happy Day" by Antonya Nelson. Do you have suggestions for "plotless" short stories?Keith Hoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08265914573541804127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161136885462262525.post-5188457323944201962015-09-26T04:17:02.076-07:002015-09-26T04:17:02.076-07:00I have enjoyed your web blog. Nice blog. I will ke...I have enjoyed your web blog. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04532645193010796608noreply@blogger.com