  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Mavis Moog  
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This month's theme is plot.
Mavis Moog |
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Last month I asked how essential a plot is to a short story, and promised that plot would be the subject of this month's newsletter.
There is a wide variety of opinion on the importance of plot, reflected in the comments given at the end of this newsletter.
You may have heard the claim that there are just seven plots. It is true that most story-lines can be simplified to just seven variations. According to Christopher Booker, author of "The Seven Basic Plots," they are;
 1) Overcoming the Monster,
2) Rags to Riches,
3) The Quest,
4) Voyage and Return,
5) Rebirth,
6) Comedy
7) Tragedy.
Clearly these are very broad plot descriptions, can we narrow them down? I think so; If you think of the famous fairy tales, you will find many plot formulas, but not as many as you would expect;
The Ugly Duckling - Overcoming prejudice - Plot 2 and Plot 5
Snow White - Overcoming adversity - Plot 2 and Plot 1
Rumpelstiltskin - Keeping promises, and there is a short quest for his name too. - Plot 3
Red Riding Hood - Overcoming the dangers of the world - Plot 1
Thumbelina - Survival in adversity - Plot 4
The Three Little Pigs - Making wise choices - Plot 3 and 1
The Emperor's New Clothes - The folly of kings - Plot 6
Rip Van Winkle - Time travel - Plot 5
Rapunzel - Human rights - Plot 7.
Did you notice how many shared plot devices there are? The majority of them are about over-coming one form of adversity or another.
Using fairy-tale plots for modern stories is an idea that I cannot claim as my own. It is an effective and well-used way to create a satisfying story. I ask my students to analyse a particular fairy-tale. Each symbol has to be understood as the story is un-picked. Then the old wool, so to speak, is used to make a completely new story. This method is a complete cure for plot weary writers. I have one such story in my portfolio, because this was written as an example of this plot robbery, I have left strong clues as to which fairy tale I was using.
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Function of Plot
The function of plot may seem very obvious. This brief list has been taken from a short-story writing course:
A good plot should...
concentrate on an interesting character or characters.
concentrate on the most significant part of the characters' lives.
give those characters motivations and the means to have an effect on events.
cause the reader to feel that events are connected (causally or thematically) and not random.
begin the story right when the status quo (or the ordinary life of the character(s)) is threatened.
reveal events and the implications of events to create tension and a desire in the reader to know what happens.
keep the reader's interest in the goal and emotional involvement in events as they happen.
maintain interest in the middle of the story, and not just in the exciting beginning and satisfying end.
come to a climax -- the point where conflicting forces meet and promise to relieve the tension for the reader.
give an insight or understanding that releases the reader from involvement; the end releases tension and satisfies the need or solves the problem set up at the beginning.
cause the reader to continue to think about the story, though it does not require the reader to go on reading once the satisfying end had been achieved.
Take a look at my Editor's Picks. I have sorted them into examples of plot-rich stories and stories in which the plot is not so evident. I think there is much to be said for both. Some prose is not about telling a tale, but rather about portraying a concept or examining a thesis. Many writers, such as James Joyce, William Burroughs and D. H. Lawrence focus strongly on description, experiment and metaphor rather than straight story-telling. Read the selection I've put together for you, don't forget to review them, and let us all know what you think.
See you next month 
Mavis Moog .
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 These stories have strong plots:
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These stories rely less on plot: I do not claim that these stories have no plot, just that it is secondary to the enjoyment of the story.
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Last month I asked you to tell me how important you thought plot was to a story this is what some of you said:
(My comments are in blue and tagged -MM)
billwilcox "What an exceptional first newsletter. I loved it. Great job. To answer your question about plot, I can't think of any story I've read that didn't have some type of plot. Also a plot is a good place to bury people, or better yet, you can bury all those stories that have none...lol."
Keep that praise rolling in; I love it! Thanks Bill.- MM
Tenshi no Shimoyake "As for plots in short stories... I say it depends. I've written a few short stories with little to no plot and been quite pleased with them (and heard good things about them). I'll say it has something to with what you mean to accomplish by the story, if the plot matters or not."
Daddy Ziok "I think you can write a good short story with only hints of a larger plot hidden within but I don't seeing a short-story containing no plot and being as good as one that has one...."
Shadow "What's the point of a short story...or any story for that matter, without a plot? The plot is essential in any story, since that is where your not only taking the book, but the reader as well. many a book and movie has failed because the reader/viewer walked away feeling lost, still waiting for the plot to manifest itself. So no, it's virtually impossible to have an excellent story without a plot."
Big Mike 2humble2bragbut... "Welcome Mavis! Very good start. Thank you Mike. - MM
In answer to your question, since good short stories must have word economy, I believe strong plot is necessary for idea solidification, to avoid extraneous words and phrases. Isn't effective communication of the plot why we are telling the story to begin with?"
robi4711 "I've been told my strength is characterization and the plot couldn't be identified in my new novel. So I need to know a lot about plot, if you don't mind. I liked your editorial."
grim "Plot's importance in a short story is like a carrot on a snowman. Sure, it becomes important if it's there, bold, orange and shapely for all to see. But you can make a snowman without a carrot, and a damn fine snowman at that."
Puditat "Hi, Mavis. A lovely first editorial, and I look to many more from you. Thanks I just love this newsletter business. - MM
In answer to your question on plot, I would say that plot is very important in any story, otherwise what is the point? The art comes in giving the plot more compact, intense scenes and stumbling blocks for the characters than what one is permitted in a novel. The plot really is the reason for a story, so YES, there needs to be plot in a short story. "
maxine2001 "Plot can make an deep concept stay in your mind forever, or take a unique idea and kill it. Just because you don't have as much space to write in a short story does not mean you have to forgo plot. I've read short stories with little plot, and, while they may be skillfully written, they are not as vivid or memorable as ones with a good plot. "
Scarlett  "As regards plot, that's a difficult one. On the whole I think short stories do need plot. Plot is storyline and everything else hangs on that. Plot springs from characters and are interwoven throughout a story. Having said that, I've read some stories with very little plot and enjoyed them. As long as there is emotion and the writer has a unique voice, it can work. I'll be interested to read what others think. Great Newsletter Mavis, congratulations."
ReJoyce and Smile more! "To plot or not to plot in a short story, that is the question. How can a story be a story without one? Just as the words in your illustration "They all Laughed," there is a plot - who gets the last laugh.
In my opinion, if a short rendering has no plot, how can it be a story? It may simply be a description of a wolf howling at the moon. But with a plot and he's howling at the moon and seeking a mate, there is a plot and there is a story. I feel plot, in any degree, is necessary for a short story - the more the merrier. I feel an excellent short story needs a plot, even if it is a small one, like Elmer's glue, you don't need to see it but it holds things together."
David McClain "Hi Mavis, great job on the newsletter lady! Now, as for your question on the importance of plot; I believe plot in a short story is important. The conflict and the resolution of conflict is what drives the story for me. Again, good job."
Vivian  "A person may write a narrative without a plot, but one of the components of a short story is plot. Therefore, without a plot a short story doesn't really exist. Good first newsletter, Mavis."
Thanks Viv. -MM
The Ragpicker - 8 yo relic "... plot be damned. Some kind of resolution usually materliazes, sure, but most of the time I couldn't give a fiddler's fob about plot. I remember reading a few James Joyce short stories where nothing happens. Literally nothing. And still, when you've finished reading them, you feel just as satisfied."
schipperke "Hello Mavis! Nice to have you as our newest short story newsletter editor!
I think a short story doesn't necessarily have to have a plot but it does need to have a thought. What I mean by that is a short story needs to make you think, surprise you, puzzle you, make you THINK after you read it.
(PS To the rest of the gang..buy her book and read some excellent short stories yourselves!)"
Well, I just had to include your fine letter, didn't I Scip? - MM
alissaameth "A great introductory newsletter!
As for the question you posed... Sometimes the plot is important, and sometimes it's not (in my experience, anyway). I've read great short stories that really didn't have a plot, but I've also read stories that weren't so great because they didn't have a plot or a point. So I guess it depends, but I don't know on what. Well, those were my two cents!"
AuntyNelly "Hi Mavis,
Congratulations for your first NL and publishing your Short Stories Book. A double first occasion.
Well done.
In a short story I think a plot is important as you need to know where you're going in fewer words.
I really appreciated your information on the short story literature and it's history. It was really interesting and important to keep handy.
Looking forward to your next NL."
These are a few general messages:
Nada "Mavis,
A lovely first edition as editor, I applaud you. I was particularly eager to see how you had gone about it as I am endevouring to do one beginning in August. I know how much work goes into it, and I will use you as my model for excellence!"
How many GPs did we agree for this lovely praise?  - MM
dusktilldawn "Well done for your first Newsletter!"
Mike R. "Great newsletter. I, also, am a lover of the short story."
PlannerDan "Mavis, this is an exceptional editorial for the first issue. How pleased I was when I opened the page and found your name there. I thoroughly enjoyed the Newsletter. And I agree that the short story is not treated well by publishers. You would think that in this day and age of quick fixes, the short story would be ideal. Perhaps our day is coming. Great newsletter."
Mavis Moog Thank you all for such a wonderful response to my first Newsletter. I will try and include as many contributions as possible, so please keep that feedback coming.
This Month's Question
What's the worst example of cliché you have ever found in a short story?
Please head your answers to this question, CLICHE. All other feeedback, intended for me, should be headed, MAVIS. This will help me to spot your contributions more easily.
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Short Stories: August 17, 2005 Issue [#554]
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