Word counts count

How long is a short story? I'm asked this on a weekly basis. I don't like to be vague if I can help it so my answer is that some of the shortest short stories known as flash fiction can be 500-800 words long. Some stories have had as few as six words.

I think that a piece of fiction above 8000 words  might be considered as a pocket novel or novella. Writing competition organisers and  editors have word counts that must be adhered to so that work fits on a page or within a broadcasting slot.

I'd say that if you are writing for yourself a short story can be any length you like. If you are writing for inclusion or payment there are guidelines. Competitions always state a maximum word count and magazines have slots of varied and specified sizes - 800, 1000, 2000, 3000 +

And then of course you can be creative. You can link stories or group similar themes and perspectives together.

How many words are in the longest story you've ever written?
Do you prefer quick reads or something longer and more developed?

Writing short stories for women's magazines

For up to the minute information on writing short stories and serials for women's magazines go to this excellent blog womagwriter.blogspot.com/ 

You will find answers to some of your writing questions, guidelines, and news from people currently selling to this market.

It's a good read and and time well spent if you've ever wanted to write short popular fiction.

BBC writing opportunities.

Check the BBC writing website for regular news about writing initiatives.    bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities

Co-incidences.

Do you believe in co-incidences? 

The day I saw this motorbike and side car I saw three other models. I really like the idea of travelling in a side car, or on the bike. Is that a co-incidence?

Some people believe they don't exist and that simultaneously occurring incidents have a logical explanation. Other people believe that co-incidences serve as a reminder or warning.

On the whole I usually find a logical reason for co-incidences and hear my inner voice saying 'there's no such thing as a co-incidence'. I have had those experiences however that can't be explained easily. Dreaming of a person or event before it happens. Making friends and relationships with people I have strange things in common with. My husband and I have the same birthday; I'm friends with someone who took the same extraordinary number of driving tests; family birthdays, names and significant dates are very connected.

Using co-incidences in fiction requires skill. They can't easily be brought in to explain part of a plot. That can come across as a weak device. On the other hand starting a piece of work with a co-incidence and then exploring it throughout a story could be intriguing.


Jot down a few co-incidental things from your own experience of life.

Is there a story in any of them?
As a group could they be combined in a plot?
Are any of them hard to explain and therefore perfect for a mysterious story? 

artistic inspiration

When I was in France I did a workshop with an artist called Patrizia Ingenuo. Her work is featured in the photo above. It is made of found objects and reminds me of the art of Native American Indians. 

She was lovely and generous and inspirational and her workshop was fantastic. Full of projects that she has begun and materials she uses. 

There is a connection between art and writing. I often visit galleries and museums with students and the work produced afterwards is astonishing. Sometimes people are so energised by what they've seen they sit and write there and then in the art gallery coffee shop.

Do you pass a gallery or live near to one?

Peep in the window or pay to go inside and find a piece of work that inspires you.

Write about yourself looking at this work. Compare your world with the world of the picture. See what results you get.

Holidays are over.

At this time of year when I return from my summer holiday I do writing warm up exercises with any souvenirs I bought or found. This year it's been old letters and postcards with messages. I found an envelope with three beautifully written letters from a daughter to her mother on Mother's day. They were about 300 miles from where they were written and sent. The tone was sweet with a few moans about studying. The writing and paper are exquisite.

Also there is a story in there. 

Next time you're at a junk sale have a look for letters. See if you can find a story in them.

Found in translation.

Misery by Stephen King (stephenking.com) was written in English and has been translated into many other languages. I have a copy of it in English with explanations for French people who are learning English. You can see in the photo above.


It's fantastic to read translated work as it gives an insight into other people, their lives and sensibilities. It's not just translation that takes place but interpretation. I have had my work, a play called Walking De Niro, translated into German. An interesting process.

Consider a few translated writers. Isaac Singer wrote in Yiddish, a language he considered more vibrant than others, and believed was more expressive than English.

 J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels have been translated into dozens of languages.

If you understand more than one language try translating a few lines from work in one language into another.

Try writing some dialogue in your usual style. Re write it in the voices of different characters, for example someone very psh. Someone very un-posh. Does it make a difference?

Read some translated work and a bit about the people who did the translating. Very insightful.