NftM #22: Long Live Short Stories

Hi! It’s been a while, huh? Thanks for sticking around. Let’s jump right in this week’s newsletter, shall we?

Contents

• On writing: Why I will (probably) never write a novel

• On reading: When do you DNF a book?

• On the web: Curated links

• On notes from the metro: The Last Song | Short story

• Movies of the week

On writing: Why I will (probably) never write a novel

Let's obliterate the notion that short stories are nothing more than a practice for writers before they take on the superior challenge of writing a novel.

The Latin American literary tradition I grew up in is rife with famous writers who were predominantly short story writers. And many of the books that formed my taste as a teen were short story collections. Why would I want to move away from that?

But there are other, more practical reasons why writing a novel is just not my cup of tea.

I love researching and planning, but when it comes to writing, it paralyses me. I've abandoned many a novel idea in the research stage, overwhelmed by how much I need to learn before I feel like I deserve to write a single word about it.

Short stories are action. There's something immediate about short stories that I find more fun than writing a novel. It's writing with only an idea and minimal research, just to see how far you can take it.

I love the imperfection of unfinished worlds, the ephemeral nature of an encounter left open, undefined. In a way, despite the length restrictions, the short story gives me more freedom than a novel ever could.

I wrote more about this topic on my blog.

On reading

When do you DNF a book?

I used to buy into the idea that there was something shameful about not finishing a book. As if it reflected some sort of poor reader ethic, laziness, and lack of commitment.

But lately, as I try to power through the very short all-ideas-no-plot novella "Flatland," by Edwin A. Abbott, I realised that I don't. Have. To finish. It. No one will give me a medal for it.

It is okay to dump a book. Break up with it on good terms, or on bad terms, if you're upset you paid too much for it. You can even ghost a book. Abandon it. Find a new loving home for it or bury it in your backyard.

I won't hesitate to DNF books now. If the book doesn't grip me, it's unlikely I'll get through the end.

Also, sometimes we're just not ready for a book. Sometimes it's just a case of the wrong book at the wrong time. Maybe one day you’ll be ready for that book you just had to put back in your shelf, unfinished.

What makes you DNF a book?

On the web

Stranger Things: A Reading List of Unsolved Mysteries: If you're into spooky mysteries to spark your imagination, this is the list for you. My favourite? The number stations. Welcome To Night Vale fans will remember this episode about a numbers station voice who gains consciousness.

18 of Our Favorite Books About the Craft of Writing: Writing can only be learned by doing, but it doesn't hurt to read what the pros have to say about it.

On Notes from the metro

The Last Song | Short story

The music was faint so far away from the stage, but they had room to sit down and still see the performers from the distance. Their barrier warrior days were mostly over, and they were content with arriving later, seeing fewer shows, and staying away from the crowd unless absolutely necessary.

"Thirsty?" he asked, noticing her beer glass was empty. "I can go get us both another drink." But she shook her head.

"This one is almost over, let's wait. It's too good, isn't it?"

In the distance, a singer in a worn-down t-shirt weaved hypnotic riffs on a loop as he crooned, lamenting all the lives he lost on the road.

She curled up next to him, resting her head on his shoulder. He smelled like a bright summer day, like happy, groggy mornings, like oud and waterfalls and home. For a moment, she grieved for all the moments they'd never have. The house they never bought. The children they never raised. The vows they never pledged at the wedding they never celebrated. She looked up, angry at the clear blue sky above her. In a couple of days, it'd fall on them with the force of the entire universe. What use was there in hiding? Running away? The impact and the fire would follow them anywhere, annihilating them in an instant. So they sat there, listening to the music, holding on to the warmth of each other's arms for as long as they could.

Movies of the week

This month I started a one movie a day challenge, and I'll be sharing with you some of the best stuff I watch during this challenge.

Have you watched any of these? I'd love to know what you think. You can also add me on Letterboxd here if you'd like to get more movie ideas and see my lists.

So, the movie of the week is:

The Tell-Tale Heart - dir. Robert Eggers, 2009.

No one better than Robert Eggers to bring the spooky vibes with this fantastic adaptation of the short story by Edgar Allan Poe.

2022 Release

This Much I Know To Be True - dir. Andrew Dominik, 2022.

A beautiful live music session recording with insights from Nick Cave about identity, finding meaning in the world, and reskilling during the lockdown.

And that's it for now! Thanks for sticking around ‘till the end.

I will be traveling to Paris and Trieste in the last two weeks of August, so there may be some short posts about it while I'm there.

I’d love to hear *from you* — Make sure to follow me in all the places and say hi!

Notes from the metro | Mulberryink | Ko-Fi