Fantasy- Short Stories

[Match Made In Heaven]

I really enjoy reading Fantasy literature, (as in the other half of sci-fi) but I don't really understand Fantasy in Short Story form. I've read a few, but they are so different from the novels I enjoy. ANd they are usually buried amoung more science fiction based material. I'd like to try writing some short stories, but I just don't really think I understand the genre. Can anybody offer any advice or suggestions? Is there anything special I need to know to be able to apreciate this category of short fiction? I have to admit, a lot of times I don't 'get' what is considered short stories at all because they don't seem to have a point or a plot or the usual elements that I would expect from a 'story' Does anyone know what this is all about, or am I missing something? Thanks.

This question pertains to erotic as well as non-erotic writing, but not particularly to straight porn.

 

[Match Made In Heaven]

What exactly is a short story supposed to *do*? (As in a novel is supposed to entertain, have a plot several subplots, develope character, and contain a theme or themes, resolve a conflice...) Are there any good articles that maybe could be linked for me to check out?

 

[snooper]

OK - I'll try to answer.

On Lit there are a (large) number of short stories which have no plot, and are just descriptions of sexual acts designed to encourage the reader to masturbate.

Ignoring those, there are also quite a lot of short stories which are not stories at all; they are descriptions of incidents, perhaps "episodes" is a fair description of them. These can be interesting of themselves, but leave me wondering what led up to them, and where the characters went afterwards.

If a story has a beginning, a middle and an end it makes no intrinsic difference if it is a flash story of a hundred words or a multi-volume novel series of a million words.

If a short story has a beginning and a middle, but no end, then that is fine also, inviting the readers to complete it in their own ways in their own minds. This is also done to start series stories.

What disturbs me far more than length is the tendency for stories to start with what I call "a police autopsy report" of the type "the body was 40DD-18-36, 192 lbs, 5' 1-1/4", with shoulder-length blonde hair and big nipples".

<voice in back of head> "Stop lecturing."

 

[doormouse]

What confuses me about your question, is that you want to know what a short story is supposed to entail.

All my stories have a beginning, a story line (gasp), and an ending. The only one I left open was The Leprechaun, because those little bliters never die

A short story is just that, a short story. Minus all the glorified details that you can get away with when writing a novel. A short story consists basically of one word to every fifty you would normally write for a novel.

Example, and this is just a guide.

Short story:

Her wavy blond hair bobbed around her shoulders as she pulled the scrunchie free.

Novel:

Judy shook her hair. Her blond hair bounced free from its restraint as she pulled the scrunchie free. The waves in her hair remain from where the tie had sat, leaving an unmistakeable crimp in her normally straight hair.

Okay, crappy example LOL

You can say just as much in a few words as you can with glorified sentences.

What are you looking for exactly with the fantasy stories? Is it a believable plot? Or an interesting storyline?

 

[sweetnpetite]

What confuses me about your question, is that you want to know what a short story is supposed to entail.

I guess I know what I *think* a short story is supposed to entail, but the published stories I read, either in fantasy or literary publications don't seem to entail them. --Maybe my markets are too 'literary' or maybe my own idea of what a story *is* is too limited. I guess I'm just not sure which.

Maybe it's just a difference in style. Any thoughts on this?

____________________

You know me as Match Made In Heaven.

 

[nushu2]

I think I know what you mean

I agree that most of the stories here don't have a point, other than to one's rocks off. A point doesn't have to be "the moral of the story", but indicates some significance to the real world. In erotic literature, if it has a point at all, it tends to be subtle. Partly because of the reader expectations and partly because of the story length. This tends to be a pure entertainment venue with no axes to grind. Do some more reading, there are some stories with something to say.

Personally, I never begin a story unless it has a point, except for humour, which is its own point. I don't understand why more writers don't force their magnificent wisdom on those poor unsuspecting readers. Isn't that the motive for all writers?

Most of these short stories have a plot but are not as developed as a full-length story. Exceptions include character studies and diaries. A common misconception (no pun intended) is that the orgasm is the climax of the story.

Character development is often sacrificed in order to get empathy from a reader. If the character is too highly developed, the reader will sympathize but not assosciate himself/herself in the role. I never realised this until I got feedback about a secondary character in one of my stories. Then again, I have read plenty of novels that rely on the readers to fill in holes from their own imagination.

But let's face the facts. These stories are free. Most of the writers, like myself, are amateurs. Professional writers donating their spare time can not be expected to split a gut for a few votes.

 

[doormouse]

I wasn't going to do this, but I have my favorite writers on here.

Read SableDrake, Rumple Foreskin, Tatelou, just to name a few.

They are brilliant writers and I'm sure you'll change your opinion of short stories after reading their stuff.

Wishfulthinking is another great author.

SableDrake and Rumple Foreskin remain my favorites. Tatelou is a brilliant erotic horror author.

Another, told you I had a few LOL, is Bob Clark Jr. His writing style stands alone.

Also, Lord DragonsWing has a vivid imagination when it comes to fantasy.

All are accessible through my stories link, just click on my 'favorites' page.

Read their stuff. You'll love their stories as much as I do.

 

[Fitzdraco]

Well first off consider what you want to accomplish with your story. Do you want to provide high quality masterbation material, or something else like a fresh idea or new take on an old view. Both are valid but and if you can mix them great, but don't try and force one into the other if it doesn't work.

Somethings to consider when writting sci-fi/fantasy.

Setting. This is a big one. Sci-fi/fantasy is so diverse that it's often used for things that may not otherwise be grouped together. Sci-fi is pretty easy. If your setting involves science and technology and there effect on the human condition then it falls here. This can include the mild like a new computer system that revolutionizes the earth in 5 years, to something like the Dune novels.

Fantasy setting is diverse but also pretty simple to define. If something is breaking natural laws, or if the natural laws are different then it's probably fantasy.

Sci-fi tends to work much better in my oppionin in short stories then fantasy. Simple reason is character development doesn't need to be as in depth. Fantasy usualy depends on heroic characters and there expoits and trials. Sci-fi depends on looking at how something would effect humanity in general. This seems to be born out by the ratio of short sci-fi to fantasy you can find in the lybrary.

There is an exception that shows up more on literotica and similer sites, the what would happen if sites. These typicly involve wishes or other magic and the consequences of such. Think the Monkeys Paw. You rarely find this in mainstream and some of it is very good.

 

[GratefulFred]

I love the sci-fi/fantasy short stories...

Rod Sterling and Richard Matheson and a few others perfected the genre of short sci-fi/fantasy stories. Taking any simple plot they just threw in an unbelievable situation/scenario than turned it inside out caping it off with a twist. What made them special is the visual imprint they were able to show during the run of "The Twilight Zone"

Emotional transferrance can be done through a long drawn out novel or in a short story. I model much of my own writings trying to keep it short and witty, packing a punch, lots of misdirection and usually a twist.

My satirical story "The Incredible Shrinking Dude" may give you a clue on writing said sci-fi/fantasy story line. My collection of "Unwashed Shorts" (pending) will even show you some smaller shorts.

http://www.literotica.com/stories/s...y.php?id=154572




Other stories...

http://www.literotica.com/stories/s...y.php?id=154569

http://www.literotica.com/stories/s...y.php?id=155314


Nushu rules! Snooper drools! Santa got laid by an Egg!