tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post8837774486478098010..comments2024-03-26T17:48:56.627+00:00Comments on 'Do You Write Under Your Own Name?': Short StoriesMartin Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-23518398559886506172012-01-23T22:45:41.522+00:002012-01-23T22:45:41.522+00:00Congratulations! And "The Lottery" is ma...Congratulations! And "The Lottery" is marvelous company to be in. <br /><br />Jackson´s masterpiece is a terrific story, and it works extremely well in a classroom even today. The students are suitable shocked when they get to the ending. And I remember that when Jackson heard South Africa had banned the story she said, "then they have understood something".Dorte Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14535044092722418173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-77028067508082589862012-01-23T00:31:08.697+00:002012-01-23T00:31:08.697+00:00Martin, terrific news about the inclusion of ‘Clut...Martin, terrific news about the inclusion of ‘Clutter’ in the new Mammoth crime anthology – Congratulations! I’ve just checked out the contributors’ list and find my hand straining towards my stash of book vouchers…<br /><br />I read ‘Squeaky’ this afternoon – great story, splendidly sinister, just the way I like ‘em! Fascinating, isn’t it, to compare the short and long forms of crime fiction? I love them both. Perhaps one difference is that finely wrought shorts have a greater power to draw readers back to them time and again. Whereas, with novels, we’re itching to get our hands on the next one out. Could this be a reason why collections and anthologies don’t sell as well?<br /><br />By the way, I included ‘Dancing for the Hangman’ in a brief triple-review on my blog this morning, if you want to have a look.<br /><br />All best, PaulPaul Beechhttp://paulbeech.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-72922074071521482582012-01-22T16:51:51.283+00:002012-01-22T16:51:51.283+00:00Hi Deb. I don't know that Jackson book, but I ...Hi Deb. I don't know that Jackson book, but I really must read more of her work. She certainly could write.<br />As for a new direction, I did write a horribly dark story, 'Bare Bones' a decade or so ago, as well as one or two others. 'Clutter' is a bit of a one-off, but a very recent story, 'Squeaky' is one I'm especially happy with.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-18931232956367887532012-01-22T13:32:11.589+00:002012-01-22T13:32:11.589+00:00Sextonblake, I'm very grateful for this - I...Sextonblake, I'm very grateful for this - I've just read the Finney story online, and needless to say, found it very gripping...and true. Thanks.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-65977492261181291372012-01-22T13:24:15.735+00:002012-01-22T13:24:15.735+00:00Oooh, could "Clutter" mark a new tone in...Oooh, could "Clutter" mark a new tone in your writing? Can't wait to read it!<br /><br />There's a collection of Shirley Jackson's stories called (I think) AN ORDINARY DAY which is fabulous, full of short stories about life both mundane and supernatural. Jackson had a troubled life (exacerbated by drink and a difficult marriage) and died at a relatively young age, but despite all this (and four children in about five years) she wrote constantly and imaginatively.Debnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-36107552283867468432012-01-22T11:34:08.883+00:002012-01-22T11:34:08.883+00:00THE LOTTERY is something that I first read many ye...THE LOTTERY is something that I first read many years ago. I can still recall the chill that it gave me, which is the sign of a great short story.The best examples of this genre can be as effective as a novel, and can live with one just as long. As a kid I read THE CONTENTS OF THE DEAD MAN'S POCKETS by Jack Finney in a short story collection called THE THIRD LEVEL. It's a fantastic piece, which not only works as a nail-biting piece of suspense writing, but also manages to say something much deeper. (There is a version that can be read on the internet).Sextonblakenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-58345400526266188432012-01-21T15:10:53.308+00:002012-01-21T15:10:53.308+00:00Margot, the book is called Come Along With Me, and...Margot, the book is called Come Along With Me, and it includes "The Lottery". First impression - it looks really good.Martin Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16082485795280777670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7291823984059320518.post-83078214819882731262012-01-21T14:03:24.509+00:002012-01-21T14:03:24.509+00:00Martin - Congratulations on your story coming out....Martin - Congratulations on your story coming out. And I'd be very interested to learn what Jackson had to say; I'll have to look that book up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com