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The Writing Life

What makes a great short story? With Jenn Ashworth

Oct 10, 2022
Writer and teacher Jenn Ashworth discusses the nuances of short stories vs. novels, including character development, modular storytelling, and the appeal of short fiction in uncertain times. She also shares insights on crafting compelling narratives and the challenges in promoting short story collections in the publishing industry.
50:48

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Short stories are a unique medium, offering storytelling possibilities that novels cannot achieve.
  • Crafting short stories requires precision and purpose, with every detail serving a specific narrative function.

Deep dives

Short Stories as a Training Ground for Novels

Writing short stories is often seen as a training ground for novelists, although some writers find short fiction more challenging. Short stories demand concise storytelling, with every detail counting towards the overall impact.

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