Clicking Our Heels – Writing or Reading Long or Short?
Writing or
reading long or short? The Stiletto Gang members confess their personal
preferences when writing and when reading. They also share what each are
reading behind closed doors.
Linda
Rodriguez
– I prefer to write long and to read long. I’m a
novel reader as well as writer. I admire the artistry of good short story
writers, but whenever I come up with short story characters and situation, so
much more starts to unfold for me. I’m just a natural teller of longer stories.
And when I read, I want to be immersed in the entire world. This is something
novels give me. I’m currently reading to Fear a Painted Devil by Ruth
Rendell, Playing in the Dark by Toni Morrison, and The Collected
Poems of Muriel Rukeyser.
Rodriguez
– I prefer to write long and to read long. I’m a
novel reader as well as writer. I admire the artistry of good short story
writers, but whenever I come up with short story characters and situation, so
much more starts to unfold for me. I’m just a natural teller of longer stories.
And when I read, I want to be immersed in the entire world. This is something
novels give me. I’m currently reading to Fear a Painted Devil by Ruth
Rendell, Playing in the Dark by Toni Morrison, and The Collected
Poems of Muriel Rukeyser.
Judy Penz
Sheluk
– Long, definitely long. I can write short, and love to read it, but it’s hard
for me. Maybe because I’m such a pantser? Currently reading Laura Benedict’s The
Stranger Inside.
Sheluk
– Long, definitely long. I can write short, and love to read it, but it’s hard
for me. Maybe because I’m such a pantser? Currently reading Laura Benedict’s The
Stranger Inside.
Shari Randall – I like writing and reading both! My current
read is One Night Gone by Tara Laskowski, who does fine short
stories and now novels.
read is One Night Gone by Tara Laskowski, who does fine short
stories and now novels.
T.K. Thorne
– For me, short stories are harder than a novel. Not sure why. Perhaps I feel
more that I need to have the story laid out prior to beginning it, and
with a novel, I am more interested in who the character is and having the space
to explore that. As a reader, I like having a thick, juicy book and the
anticipation of more to come with a series.
– For me, short stories are harder than a novel. Not sure why. Perhaps I feel
more that I need to have the story laid out prior to beginning it, and
with a novel, I am more interested in who the character is and having the space
to explore that. As a reader, I like having a thick, juicy book and the
anticipation of more to come with a series.
Julie Mulhern – I am a short writer and prefer reading
shorter books. Right now I’m reading Caimh McDonnell’s Dublin Trilogy (there
are four of them). McDonnell also works as a stand-up comedian.
shorter books. Right now I’m reading Caimh McDonnell’s Dublin Trilogy (there
are four of them). McDonnell also works as a stand-up comedian.
No surprise,
his books are funny and raunchy and filled with memorable characters.
Kay Kendall
– I’m like the baby bear in the children’s book who tried two beds–one too
hard, one too soft–before she hit the third one that was just right. The story
I’m reading or writing should take up just as many pages as it needs. It should
not be so wordy that it goes way too long, whereas conversely sometimes a story
can be too laconic and I want to read (or write) more detail.
– I’m like the baby bear in the children’s book who tried two beds–one too
hard, one too soft–before she hit the third one that was just right. The story
I’m reading or writing should take up just as many pages as it needs. It should
not be so wordy that it goes way too long, whereas conversely sometimes a story
can be too laconic and I want to read (or write) more detail.
What I’m reading now is the multi-award
winning historical mystery, THE WIDOWS OF MALABAR HILL
by Sujata Massey. At 400 pages (hardback version) it is just right.
Bethany Maines – I have been working on writing short.
I feel like so much of my early writing was packed with details that were
important for me to know, but not necessarily important to either the story of
the reader. So I’ve been steadily trimming my word count on my first
drafts which is making editing easier! But in general I prefer novel
length over short stories in both my reading and writing.
I feel like so much of my early writing was packed with details that were
important for me to know, but not necessarily important to either the story of
the reader. So I’ve been steadily trimming my word count on my first
drafts which is making editing easier! But in general I prefer novel
length over short stories in both my reading and writing.
Dru Ann Love – Right now I’m reading an ARC of Forgiveness
Dies by J.J. Hensley.
Dies by J.J. Hensley.
Debra H. Goldstein – “I love the one I’m with” because I write
both long and short and my reading reflects that. Presently, I’m reading Fishy
Business, an anthology of short stories by members of the Guppy Chapter of
Sisters in Crime and Murder On Cape Cod by Maddie Day.
both long and short and my reading reflects that. Presently, I’m reading Fishy
Business, an anthology of short stories by members of the Guppy Chapter of
Sisters in Crime and Murder On Cape Cod by Maddie Day.
Lynn McPherson – I like both. Right now, I’m reading a
really fun book called Survival of the Fritters by Ginger
Bolton.
really fun book called Survival of the Fritters by Ginger
Bolton.
Mary Lee
Ashford – I
write short because I write a lot of dialogue my first draft. I think that’s
because I’m mainly interested in the people in the story. I tend to have to go
back and make sure I’ve included the right amount of setting and description.
In reading, I also am mostly interested in the story people and so I prefer
books that are very character driven. As far as reading, I read both short and
long. I’m currently reading a non-fiction book called Atomic Habits by
James Clear.
Ashford – I
write short because I write a lot of dialogue my first draft. I think that’s
because I’m mainly interested in the people in the story. I tend to have to go
back and make sure I’ve included the right amount of setting and description.
In reading, I also am mostly interested in the story people and so I prefer
books that are very character driven. As far as reading, I read both short and
long. I’m currently reading a non-fiction book called Atomic Habits by
James Clear.
J.M. Phillippe – I do enjoy a single-sitting book (when I
get those rare “spend the day reading” days). I think I tend to write
something that I hope can be experienced in the same way — something you get
so into you don’t want to put it down.
get those rare “spend the day reading” days). I think I tend to write
something that I hope can be experienced in the same way — something you get
so into you don’t want to put it down.
Cathy Perkins – I prefer writing novels because subplots that enhance the main plot are fun to develop and reveal so much about the characters. Those subplots plus the usual twists and turns of a mystery generate word count. I recently finished A Man Called Ove and really enjoyed it.
