Is it the characters, then?
No, it is not.
Scenery. dialogue,
intrigue,
the machinations of plot?
No, it is not.
Really? None of the above?
Then, pray tell, what?
Far more important
than any of those,
he says,
is vivacity,
the vivacity of the prose.
* what is it you most treasure in a short story?
pic courtesy of Pixabay
John Malone 
Vivacity. This is another concept I must think carefully about. My first thought is that I don’t read a lot of short stories… although more since starting to read others’ blogs. But reflecting on the ones that have stuck in my head, I ponder the word vivacity and wonder what you mean by it. Is it engaging writing? Is it that ability to grip somebody’s imagination and wonder within a sentence or two? Is that vivacity? I think of vivacity as liveliness and I can see how that could apply to both the questions i have posed. But I am still intrigued by your word choice. Can you further define it?
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definitely; it’s writing that’s vivacious, lively, alert to its own power, that utilizes the full
resources of language depending on context; it sweeps you along — your writing and Karen’s trend towards this; Lauren Groff immediately comes to mind; it’s writing you lap up, savour ….
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Ah. Like a vivacious curry! 😉. No, but seriously, I can see why you picked vivacity. It’s a good word. I think I just have to bow out because I really don’t read enough short stories. I don’t read enough full stop at the moment. Perhaps, while recovering from surgery, I will find opportunities to examine your thesis more intelligently. 🤓
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that’s fine. ‘Worms’, you have a lot to deal with; I wouldn’t worry; I don’t think I’ve thought it out all that well ; it’s not quite a thesis yet but vivacity is certainly important to me as I’m not willing to undertake a short story — I have ADHD, my doctor suggested — unless the writing sweeps me along —
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Brevity and vivacity ☑️
I learnt that from reading 📖
Longfellow’s ponderous poetry 😎
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you know me, David: writing that is ponderous is a real turn off for me; thankfully I’ve never had to read Longfellow; from what you say, I’m not missing out 🙂
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I keep one of his books to read
whilst waiting to see the dentist.
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hahahahahahaha ; o David, that is precious 🙂
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For me, a short story has to have a twist at the end that catches me out. For Dauphy, anything with a dog theme is acceptable!
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me too, Hobbo; has Dauphy got a favourite short story, I wonder ?
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I like the book that Hobbo bought in Australia about a farting dog! D.
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hahaha; I like that Dauphy is prepared to reveal his ‘coarser’ side from time ti time; it makes him more of a ‘complete’ dog 🙂 plus it sounds like s fun book 🙂
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My grandson loved that book!
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thanks Hobbo; will have to ask my grandkids if they have read it; one has a dog: Max — he’s appeared in a few of my posts; will ask if he’s read it 🙂
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👍
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Vivacious is good
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the opposite —lazy. worn out, cliche ridden phrases — isn’t, that’s for sure 🙂
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* what is it you most treasure in a short story?”
The story itself. I want a short story that leads me to the water but allows me to drink as much or as little as I desire.
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that is a delightful comment, thanks 🙂 yes, a story that doesn’t get you lost along the way —
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Originality captures me every time. Someone who can take something I’ve seen a million times and make me excited about it like it’s the first time; your writing so often does this to me. 😀 I come back for another sip because it’s like a natural spring.
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🙂 thanks Karen; yes, originality counts a lot for me too —
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Hello John. I like discussions. Hemingway and London could use long discussions to make the reader understand and feel every word.
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of course, John, you’re absolutely right; I enjoy dialogue in stories, the cut and thrust of conversation, the wit 🙂
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My favorite book is Jack London “When God laugh”. If I could write conversation like this in this book. We must grasp the reader with thoughts and ideals.
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I’ve not read that one, John; must try and get a copy; if I remember rightly you wrote a poem of the same name —
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Hard to find. You can listen on YouTube for free also.
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thanks, John; will give that a try 🙂
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