Stephen King on the Craft of Short Story Writing

Summary

In this insightful interview, Stephen King reflects on the art of writing short stories, noting how many writers, once successful with novels, lose their touch with the short story form. He discusses the challenge of balancing the length of a story, with some of his own works, like 'Misery' and 'Gerald’s Game', starting as short stories before growing into full-length novels. King also highlights the difficulty of writing stories in the 'twilight zone' length—between short story and novel—and praises authors like Raymond Carver for their mastery of the short story’s intricate craft.

Takeaways

• 😀 Short stories are a unique art form that many writers no longer pursue as frequently, especially those successful in writing novels.
• 😀 Writing novels can cause writers to lose their ability or inclination to write short stories, akin to forgetting a craft.
• 😀 The novel format can be a trap for younger writers who may not yet be ready for its complexity.
• 😀 Stephen King started his career with short stories at the age of 18, and although he later wrote novels, he never abandoned short stories completely.
• 😀 Many established writers in the field of short stories stop writing them due to their focus on novels, as noted in an article from the Boston Globe.
• 😀 Short stories often start with a small idea, but some can grow into full-length novels, as seen in King's works like *Misery* and *Gerald's Game*.
• 😀 King mentions that there are stories in *Just After Sunset* that are long enough (22-25 thousand words) to be considered novellas but are too short to be full novels.
• 😀 The length of 22-25 thousand words is a tricky area for writers because it's too short for a novel but too long for a traditional short story.
• 😀 True short stories, like those written by Raymond Carver, require a skill for miniaturization and brevity, which is a difficult craft to master.
• 😀 King expresses that while many writers might be tempted by the lure of writing a novel, the ability to write short stories remains an essential skill he values and continues to practice.

Q & A

Why does Stephen King believe many writers abandon short stories in favor of novels?

Stephen King suggests that once writers achieve success with novels, they tend to focus on them exclusively, often losing the unique skills required for writing short stories. He likens it to a craftsman forgetting a key technique after mastering a more complex craft, such as a blacksmith losing the ability to make Toledo steel.

What does Stephen King mean by the 'Twilight Zone' of writing?

King refers to the 'Twilight Zone' as a troublesome length for stories—typically between 22,000 to 25,000 words—that is too long to be considered a short story but too short to qualify as a novel. This length often causes difficulties when trying to place the work with publishers who adhere to more traditional definitions of short stories and novels.

How does King describe the difference between writing short stories and novels?

King believes that writing short stories requires a different set of skills than writing novels. He explains that short stories demand a precision and economy of words that many writers find challenging once they focus on the sprawling nature of novels. The art of 'miniaturization,' as exemplified by writers like Raymond Carver, is a crucial skill in short story writing.

What is Stephen King's personal experience with writing short stories?

Stephen King started writing short stories when he was 18 and found success early on with them. While he did write novels, many of his early attempts were not accepted. Short stories, however, provided him with a steady income and comfort. Even as he became known for his novels, King never abandoned short stories, maintaining a connection to the format throughout his career.

Can you provide an example of how a short story idea evolved into a novel for Stephen King?

King mentions that some of his best-known works, like *Misery* and *Gerald’s Game*, began as short story ideas. What initially seemed like a small concept grew in scope and eventually developed into full-length novels, showcasing how a short story can sometimes 'balloon' into something much larger.

How does Stephen King feel about short story writers who focus on novels instead?

King sympathizes with writers who focus solely on novels but acknowledges that it can result in a lack of new short story output. He mentions that many great short story writers, like Raymond Carver, have not written short stories in years, often citing the demands of novel writing as the reason for this shift.

What challenges does the 22,000 to 25,000 word length pose for short story writers?

King describes this length as problematic because it's too long to be a traditional short story but too short to be classified as a novel. This middle ground can cause difficulties when trying to get the story published, as many magazines and publishers are hesitant to accept works that fall outside established length guidelines.

Why was Stephen King’s short story 'N' rejected by *The New Yorker*?

Stephen King submitted 'N' to *The New Yorker*, and while the magazine showed interest, they ultimately rejected the story. The reason, according to King, was that the story’s length was deemed too long for the market, highlighting the issue of stories that fall into the awkward length range of 22,000 to 25,000 words.

How does Stephen King view the role of short stories in modern literature?

King believes that short stories are still a vital part of modern literature, though their prevalence has decreased. He sees them as a powerful and intimate form of writing but notes that many contemporary writers, especially those successful in novel writing, no longer focus on them. Despite this, King continues to value short stories and writes them alongside his novels.

What does Stephen King admire about the short story writing of Raymond Carver?

King admires Raymond Carver's ability to write extremely concise, impactful short stories. He refers to Carver’s work as an example of the 'art of miniaturization,' a difficult skill that involves conveying complex emotions and narratives in a very limited space, which King considers one of the hallmarks of truly great short story writing.