Comments on: Short Story: Big Blue http://5-rings.com/blog/2009/01/short-story-big-blue/ A journal of the creative writing process. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:36:26 +0000 hourly 1 By: Nick Enlowe http://5-rings.com/blog/2009/01/short-story-big-blue/#comment-843 Nick Enlowe Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:44:52 +0000 http://5-rings.com/blog/?p=234#comment-843 I like <a href="http://rgsanders.com/outpost.html" rel="nofollow">Outpost</a>. It'll be exciting to see your work in a publication. :) (FYI I noticed something you might wanna quick-fix: "rolled on warn boot heals to stand") What's really tough for me is thinking of a short story idea that's good enough. IMO, a good short story idea has to: A. have lots of layered meaning. I want my stories to mean something and get the reader to emotionally attach to what's happening. Hopefully, the layered meaning will warrant a re-read or two. B. be self-contained. I want the short stories to seem complete and whole in their condensed, vacuum-packed worlds. C. have a profound ending. I think this one speaks for itself. Big Blue isn't nearly as steeped in layered meaning as En Prise or even The Fire Lizard and the Great Oak Tree is, but it does meet all the other criteria. I like Outpost. It’ll be exciting to see your work in a publication. :)

(FYI I noticed something you might wanna quick-fix: “rolled on warn boot heals to stand”)

What’s really tough for me is thinking of a short story idea that’s good enough.

IMO, a good short story idea has to:

A. have lots of layered meaning. I want my stories to mean something and get the reader to emotionally attach to what’s happening. Hopefully, the layered meaning will warrant a re-read or two.

B. be self-contained. I want the short stories to seem complete and whole in their condensed, vacuum-packed worlds.

C. have a profound ending. I think this one speaks for itself.

Big Blue isn’t nearly as steeped in layered meaning as En Prise or even The Fire Lizard and the Great Oak Tree is, but it does meet all the other criteria.

]]> By: RG Sanders http://5-rings.com/blog/2009/01/short-story-big-blue/#comment-839 RG Sanders Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:39:19 +0000 http://5-rings.com/blog/?p=234#comment-839 Cir (or Nick, rather) lives! Good job on the short story - good luck with it. It's funny, often times I figure, 'hey, I'll punch out a short story' like it's some kind of simple task, but the truth is, it's no easier than writing a novel. Indeed, it could be considered just as arduous due to the shorter length and 'perfection' you try to attain in such a space. My 'Outpost' should be published soon, I'll leave clue to that when it does over on my side of the blogging-pond. Again, well done. Hope it does well. Cir (or Nick, rather) lives!

Good job on the short story – good luck with it. It’s funny, often times I figure, ‘hey, I’ll punch out a short story’ like it’s some kind of simple task, but the truth is, it’s no easier than writing a novel. Indeed, it could be considered just as arduous due to the shorter length and ‘perfection’ you try to attain in such a space.

My ‘Outpost’ should be published soon, I’ll leave clue to that when it does over on my side of the blogging-pond.

Again, well done. Hope it does well.

]]> By: Nick Enlowe http://5-rings.com/blog/2009/01/short-story-big-blue/#comment-812 Nick Enlowe Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:09:38 +0000 http://5-rings.com/blog/?p=234#comment-812 @christopher: That would be great! Are you able to read the version I sent to Latrina or should I go ahead and email a revision to you directly? (If you opt for option 2, Latrina found a continuity error I need to fix ;D) edit->I went with option 2. Check your Email :) @christopher: That would be great! Are you able to read the version I sent to Latrina or should I go ahead and email a revision to you directly? (If you opt for option 2, Latrina found a continuity error I need to fix ;D)

edit->I went with option 2. Check your Email :)

]]> By: christopher. http://5-rings.com/blog/2009/01/short-story-big-blue/#comment-797 christopher. Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:24:09 +0000 http://5-rings.com/blog/?p=234#comment-797 Nick, I would be absolutely honored to take a look over your draft for you. And I'm glad to see you're starting to ween off of the 360 and write more. If it makes you feel any better, I just got a Wii and I am slowly becoming a zombie, too ;) Nick, I would be absolutely honored to take a look over your draft for you.

And I’m glad to see you’re starting to ween off of the 360 and write more. If it makes you feel any better, I just got a Wii and I am slowly becoming a zombie, too ;)

]]> By: Nick Enlowe http://5-rings.com/blog/2009/01/short-story-big-blue/#comment-784 Nick Enlowe Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:55:21 +0000 http://5-rings.com/blog/?p=234#comment-784 Would you? That would be wonderful! You may not be a writer by trade, but since the story is from a woman's perspective, I'd love to hear your take on it. Actually, I value any input you are willing to offer on any of my stories. And thanks, it feels great to be back. Would you? That would be wonderful!
You may not be a writer by trade, but since the story is from a woman’s perspective, I’d love to hear your take on it. Actually, I value any input you are willing to offer on any of my stories.
And thanks, it feels great to be back.

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