First things first, your analysis and description of the short story really made me want to read it—so I did (I can’t tell you what a feat that is, I have like 100 Substack writing tasks right now). I think touched on the interesting points: perspective (yes, you’re right—and it made me reflect on my own writing), description of music (so hard to do), the notion of the absurd. I love the spring, summer, fall concept.
I really liked the end of the short story, found it satisfying, with never stopping spinning cylinder. I think the best aspect of the short story is the dialogue (you noted the author does it well), it just reads so well, and as any writer knows, dialogue is so difficult!
I think the author is definitely playing with tropes and I appreciate that. Thank you for this captivating post and such a good read. We should definitely collab, I’d love that.
I love the idea of us reading a short horror story and writing up our thoughts on it. It would be interesting to put our “reviews” in conversation, right? Do you have any short stories in mind that you’ve been wanting to read? There’s a book I’ve been meaning to get my hands on but keep getting distracted and forgetting to pick it up, the last house on needless street. Maybe we should start with a short story though.
I agree, short stories is the place to start. I'll look up that book though! My life has been crazy lately and committing to a book with a time limit has been challenging. I need to rebuild some reading habits.
I do have two short stories that are on my list to review already. Either of these interest you?
Sorry for the radio silence! I was away on a work retreat and it ate up all my time. I’m going to look at your draft today and hopefully I can send you mine within the next couple of days. I can also publish mine on August 2 and we can cross reference each others?
First things first, your analysis and description of the short story really made me want to read it—so I did (I can’t tell you what a feat that is, I have like 100 Substack writing tasks right now). I think touched on the interesting points: perspective (yes, you’re right—and it made me reflect on my own writing), description of music (so hard to do), the notion of the absurd. I love the spring, summer, fall concept.
I really liked the end of the short story, found it satisfying, with never stopping spinning cylinder. I think the best aspect of the short story is the dialogue (you noted the author does it well), it just reads so well, and as any writer knows, dialogue is so difficult!
I think the author is definitely playing with tropes and I appreciate that. Thank you for this captivating post and such a good read. We should definitely collab, I’d love that.
Any thoughts on a collab? Do you want to review the same story? Or we can each pick one of the stories we've posted and do a deep dive on them?
There are so many options!!
I love the idea of us reading a short horror story and writing up our thoughts on it. It would be interesting to put our “reviews” in conversation, right? Do you have any short stories in mind that you’ve been wanting to read? There’s a book I’ve been meaning to get my hands on but keep getting distracted and forgetting to pick it up, the last house on needless street. Maybe we should start with a short story though.
I agree, short stories is the place to start. I'll look up that book though! My life has been crazy lately and committing to a book with a time limit has been challenging. I need to rebuild some reading habits.
I do have two short stories that are on my list to review already. Either of these interest you?
https://www.flashfictiononline.com/article/unexplained/
(this one has some heavier themes surrounding health care)
https://www.underlandarcana.com/warren-benedetto-many-deaths-before-dying/
(I got some Stranger Things vibes from this one)
If neither of these vibe with you, no biggie! We can keep brainstorming
I’m already engrossed in the first one! Let’s do that one! How about we report back to each other in a week?
Here is a draft of my review for "Unexplained." I plan on posting it August 2 (according to my posting schedule)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Hi3MQ0N-T6OdhYuV2X6_ESi__WuZ9WTfyDDOH_Qfth0/edit?usp=sharing
How's it going on your end? No rush! Just checking in
Sorry for the radio silence! I was away on a work retreat and it ate up all my time. I’m going to look at your draft today and hopefully I can send you mine within the next couple of days. I can also publish mine on August 2 and we can cross reference each others?
Sounds like a plan! You're getting my butt into gear with this review, love it! Haha
There is so much you can learn from other writers that you just can't get from craft books.
Thank you!! Task complete getting you to read the story, extra points for distracting you your writing tasks 😉