WRITING fiction is difficult, under any circumstances and for a variety of reasons. Novels, for example, require a commitment unlike any other. The story landscape is so broad that the writer must decide what to include–or exclude–based on a vast array of choices.
MAKING NARROW AND DELIBERATE CHOICES
Short fiction, I believe, can be even more challenging because the writer is forced to make narrow and deliberate choices. Every word, phrase, and sentence must contribute to the telling of the story.
Although I’m willing to read almost anything, I do enjoy stories that focus on individuals, and couples, who face struggles and disappointments, and either deal with them–or not. People who have difficulty communicating. Stories like these, however, often have untidy endings.
STORIES OF UNRESOLVED CONFLICTS
My favorite writer of untidy endings is Raymond Carver. He was never a novelist. He wrote only short stories, and poems. His stories revolved around the ordinary among society—waitresses, salesman, white and blue-collar workers—ordinary situations and conflicts, and individuals’ inability to express their feelings.
The stories—their conflicts—were often left unresolved, their endings only implied. His stories, he said, could happen anywhere.
He was one of the most promising writers of his generation at the age of forty. Carver died ten years later (1988). Alcoholism nearly got the best of him, but he conquered it. He couldn’t defeat cancer, however.
“HE UNDERSTANDS HE IS WILLING TO BE DEAD.” -What is it?
Hi Tom,
I’m enjoying your postings.
I do like Carver’s style. Normally, I like concrete conclusion to stories, but you’re right. He does leave his open which he had found a way to make that work. I like reading him because he had a real honesty about the sort of everyday mess of the working class. they’re stories that I, and probably a lot more people than realize, can relate to. They feel gritty.
Though, a lot of opinions of him state that he is funny or humorous. I enjoy humor and am an avid reader of humor, but I don’t see it. I think his writing is clever and even sometimes witty, but I fail to see humor.
At times I have attempted a style like his but with a touch of my own humor. I think he has been one of the greater influences on what I draw on to write stories, both fiction and nonfiction. One for instance can be read here:
http://pflueg.blogspot.com/p/current-events.html
It’s the one dated 11/20/2011 titled: Money
Thanks for posting,
Joe
Hi Joe-
I do find myself in agreement with you about Carver–honest and messy. And, I am unable to detect any of his stories being “funny.” His skill at capturing the interior of a character is what draws me to his writing. I did read your MONEY post and saw the ingredients for a Carver-esque short story.
Thanks for joining the conversation.