I've been thinking a lot about chronology while I write my connected collection, so this post was very timely! You can't just throw these stories together in any order (you could, but order is another element that drives the story forward, I think) - what is the purpose in which they appear? What does it reveal about stories past and stories to come? Why this spot and not three spots over? You've given me a lot to think about! Thanks :)
I've posted a comment on Salman's thoughts--you might want to check out his, above. I'm curious as to your choices too, ultimately--how you choose to order your stories, and why. The order in which parts of a story are told (revealed) is indeed a story in itself.
I began writing short stories/flash fiction when I appropriated a character from a friend’s story one morning when work was particularly tedious. Since then I’ve written about a half dozen stories involving this character, a semi washed-up professional musician. The friend, whose academic training and publishing success suggest he knows what he’s talking about, thought I’m limiting myself. Maybe, but I still get immense pleasure from this character.
Thank you for this insightful piece! I’ve been writing a collection of fables, initially intended to just be that. But I’ve since added a light story that loosely connects them all.
This piece helped me feel a bit more at ease regarding my approach, knowing there are many ways to go about it, and I get to choose. I’m treating this connecting story more as an “icing on the cake” rather than the core of it. I want folks to enjoy the independent stories without the context of the connecting story, which is possible now.
An open question I have for myself is: Should I keep going, add little connective hints within the stories to allude to this overall theme? At present it is a very light touch, and I don’t feel drawn to make it heavier. We’ll see how it plays out in the editing phase!
The idea of the one story revealing the interconnectedness of the others, is compelling. A "light touch" is often the right choice (Though always a challenge to speak to without seeing, but...) "Icing" instead of "core"--yes. Keep us posted on the choices you make; I take it that, at the moment, the stories already have points-of-theme, but you're reluctant to "point out the points." That makes sense.
I've been thinking a lot about chronology while I write my connected collection, so this post was very timely! You can't just throw these stories together in any order (you could, but order is another element that drives the story forward, I think) - what is the purpose in which they appear? What does it reveal about stories past and stories to come? Why this spot and not three spots over? You've given me a lot to think about! Thanks :)
I've posted a comment on Salman's thoughts--you might want to check out his, above. I'm curious as to your choices too, ultimately--how you choose to order your stories, and why. The order in which parts of a story are told (revealed) is indeed a story in itself.
I began writing short stories/flash fiction when I appropriated a character from a friend’s story one morning when work was particularly tedious. Since then I’ve written about a half dozen stories involving this character, a semi washed-up professional musician. The friend, whose academic training and publishing success suggest he knows what he’s talking about, thought I’m limiting myself. Maybe, but I still get immense pleasure from this character.
"Immense pleasure" is a good measurement. I trust the friend is flattered!
Thank you for this insightful piece! I’ve been writing a collection of fables, initially intended to just be that. But I’ve since added a light story that loosely connects them all.
This piece helped me feel a bit more at ease regarding my approach, knowing there are many ways to go about it, and I get to choose. I’m treating this connecting story more as an “icing on the cake” rather than the core of it. I want folks to enjoy the independent stories without the context of the connecting story, which is possible now.
An open question I have for myself is: Should I keep going, add little connective hints within the stories to allude to this overall theme? At present it is a very light touch, and I don’t feel drawn to make it heavier. We’ll see how it plays out in the editing phase!
Thanks again.
The idea of the one story revealing the interconnectedness of the others, is compelling. A "light touch" is often the right choice (Though always a challenge to speak to without seeing, but...) "Icing" instead of "core"--yes. Keep us posted on the choices you make; I take it that, at the moment, the stories already have points-of-theme, but you're reluctant to "point out the points." That makes sense.