Looking For A Few Good Short Stories
Tabootenente encouraged me to read "A Father's Story" by Andre Dubus. Right now I am struggling with my first bout with "pinkeye", a temporary ailment which has rendered me almost blind. Yet I squinted through the pages of this excellent little story, and plan to write a post as soon as I can clearly see again. He shared with me that the story was probably his favorite. I can see why. It raises questions about bedrock truths, not easy to answer, but necessary.
What do I want from a good piece of writing? I am a slow and methodical reader, so the piece has to keep my attention. And I want the story to flow; a snapshot of life and human nature, not too much preaching. Most important it must present a transcendent message. It does not have to be Christian, but it needs to be a presentation of truth important enough to stand the test of time.
I'm looking for three good short stories. Tell me about a story, or two, that is most meaningful to you. A story you have found yourself thinking about, and reading again, many times. I'm going to select the most interesting, to me, and try to read and write about one every week. The challenge will be to find a copy of the story. I searched the internet and found "A Father's Story" as a pdf download on the website of a College professor in Wisconsin. It would be nice to be so lucky again!
Maybe you would like to join me. It could make some fun and worthwhile interaction.
03.14.06 (7:48 pm) [
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posted by:
Fairmoon (
reply)
post date:
03.14.06 (3:02 pm)
I'll think about it and get back to you... does the book i wrote count as a short Story? :D a little shameless self promotion never hurts right?
just kidding, i'll think of a story from another author.
when ou say short story, what do you mean? how many pages approx?
FM
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.14.06 (3:12 pm)
Reply to: Fairmoon
I read your book. I sat down one afternoon during Christmas break and read it. Although it made me blush a few times, it was a good story that kept my attention, and it had encourage a positive truth. And I think it would qualify as a short story.
What am I looking for as far as length of the story? I'd say no longer than 50 pages.
posted by:
Fairmoon (
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post date:
03.14.06 (5:51 pm)
made you blush *giggle* my dad hasn't made it past the first chapter- his baby daughter just should say such things. I did warn them! My sister said of the book, "I'd probably have liked it better, if I hadn't known my little sister wrote it" that cracked me up!!
hhhmmmm short stories... you know some of my favorite short stories are by an author Charles de Lint, he's got a few collections published: "Tapping the Dream tree", "Dreams Underfoot", "moonlight and Vines" "waifs and Strays" are all titles of collections of short stories- anyone of the stories would be wonderful to read. "seven wild sisters" is a stand alone short story which is very good. Actually all books by Charles DeLint are wonderful. I highly recommend any and all of them. http://www.sfsite.com/charlesdelint/index.html
FM
posted by:
bacardibreezer (
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post date:
03.14.06 (7:13 pm)
There was one I read in high school, called An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce and it was really interesting...
posted by:
bacardibreezer (
reply)
post date:
03.14.06 (7:15 pm)
Here's a link if you'd like to read it online, it starts about halfway down the page
http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext95/owlcr11.txt
posted by:
ruined (
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post date:
03.15.06 (6:35 am)
I have the utmost respect for people who can write a good story. Too bad, I don't have that ability...
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
03.15.06 (8:17 am)
Reply to: Fairmoon
I am not familiar with this author. I will follow the link and see what is available.
You should have known better than to have given that book to you daddy! There are some things dads, and moms, do not need to knowl
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.15.06 (8:19 am)
Reply to: bacardibreezer
I will read it! I saw the Twilight Zone version many years ago. It was memorable. So I'll see what the book says to me. And, special thanks for the link.
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
03.15.06 (8:21 am)
Reply to: ruined
I do believe, if you were inspired to do so, that you could put together a great short story. When the Muse comes your way, give it a try. Until then, give me the name of a short story that you have read that has been memorable to you. And I don't want anything out of Penthouse, please.
posted by:
Fairmoon (
reply)
post date:
03.15.06 (9:20 am)
he's a Canadian author. He lives in Ottawa. His books are mythic fiction, or Urban fantasy. In fact he's considered the father of that genre. He takes regular urban settings and regular people and puts them in situations where magic happens. He's created this entire ficational city where a good number of his stories take place. A lot of his stories have the same characters in them, or one character knows another from a different story.
Some of his characters are deeply involved with "magic" where as other don't believe it at all, then there's a bunch that fall somewhere in the middle. I don't know how wide the distrabution of his books are, but maybe you'll find the odd one in the local library. My library has a whole collection, because i keep sending in requests for them to buy them :D
FM
posted by:
FinalyFree (
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post date:
03.15.06 (9:46 am)
One of my favorites is by a very famous author under a pen name, the man is known as Stephen King. I'm not so sure it would be classified as a 'short story' but it is part of a trilogy he wrote as Richard Bachman in 1994. The story is called 'Thinner' and I think it might have even been made into a film--I never bother with the video versions of King's works--there's no possible way to do his talent justice.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.15.06 (10:07 am)
Reply to: FinalyFree
I will admit to having never read a King novel, mostly because the movies that are supposedly inspired by his name are so disappointing. I have read a few of his short stories. I may be interested in this particular story that you recommend.
How long is this work (number of pages)?
posted by:
guerillafunk (
reply)
post date:
03.15.06 (10:14 am)
Orange Julius by Esther Watson.
It's a story about the resilience of friendships and how hard it is to feel like you have to choose between the people you care for most.
If you can't find it, I'll be happy to type it up for you, package the file and send it off to you in an email. :)
<3,
G.Funk
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.15.06 (11:16 am)
I did a quick search for this story on both Yahoo & Google, without luck. I did find a story of the same name, but a different author. Would you double-check about the full name of the story and the author, including spelling. I am interested. I do not want you to type out the story! But I will bet there is a copy out there, somewhere, on the internet. Or at least a book I can get at the library. Thanks for your help.
posted by:
Mimi (
reply)
post date:
03.16.06 (4:16 am)
My all time short story writer is o. henry..and my favorite one that i remember the title to is "the last leaf"...to the best of my recall, which is not so much, it boils down to caring and selflessness. xoxoxo
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
03.16.06 (8:32 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
I honestly don't remember how many pages it contains, but it's not that many. In my opinion there's never been a movie made based on any of his novels that can do his writing justice. I realize he isn't everyone's cup of tea, but his talent is undeniable. And the story of 'Thinner' is really cool :)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.16.06 (2:13 pm)
Reply to: guerillafunk
I did a quick search for this story on both Yahoo & Google, without luck. I did find a story of the same name, but a different author. Would you double-check about the full name of the story and the author, including spelling. I am interested. I do not want you to type out the story! But I will bet there is a copy out there, somewhere, on the internet. Or at least a book I can get at the library. Thanks for your help.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.16.06 (2:15 pm)
Reply to: Mimi
I sat down earlier today and read your story. It is excellent. I'll enjoy doing a post about the theme, which I agree involves sacrificial love. Thanks.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.16.06 (2:17 pm)
Reply to: FinalyFree
I see if the local library has it. Thanks.
posted by:
Mimi (
reply)
post date:
03.17.06 (2:58 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
awwww...thanks, p'dave,,,i feel highly complimented! xoxooxo
