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Aug. 6th, 2004
So I finall finished this book of short stories I've been reading. Writer's of the Future Vol 19 (I think 19), a collection of fantasy and sci-fi stories that all won L.R.Hubbards contest of the same name. (Which I've entered, and will probably enter again and again until I win the fucker).
Most of the stories were sci-fi. All of the sci-fi stories ended depressingly, or at best bittersweet.
It's a trend rather common to sci-fi short stories, at least in my experience. And while it's not my favorite genre by a longshot, I've read a good number of short stories simply b/c they're in (and usually predominant) the sci-fi/fantasy collections I read.
I don't get it. They almost all have the same fucking theme: technology and advancement = bad. Meaning it all inevitably leads to tragedy and or misery. Or, like I said, bittersweet. It just gets redundant. The last story was actually one of the few that didn't follow this theme, but it still ended on an unhappy note. Imho it was rather a stupid ending. Mildly preachy in a predictable way. In fact a lot them tried for the 'happy ending' by doing that lofty "I am wise now and have learned my lesson' thing...but that's why they come off bittersweet at best. I'm not even sure that's the right word. More like they start out fine, but get so lost in "conveying a message" the story falls flat.
Maybe I'm just picky, and snarking at these stories because they're a good taste of my competition. But...not really. I can see why they're good, skill wise and all. But I don't get why they are content wise.
I mean I'm not one to talk - if you don't like fluff my stories are probably going to kill you. I know my stuff tends toward the ridiculous and cute, for the most part. But sheesh, I'd rather someone rolls their eyes and laugh at me than read one of these things and walk away from the book feeling down. Maybe it's just me, but when I read I prefer stuff that doesn't remind me too much of reality. I get plenty enough of that as is.
Granted angst and all help a story but there's a limit. I don't think you should *ever* walk away from a story feeling either miserable or "meh." Sad? Sure. But not miserable.
Then again most of these people are now published and successful writers, whereas I'm broke and going in on Monday to box watches. I guess I really have no room to speak. On the other hand, I know more than a few people who really enjoy all the silly stuff I write. If depressing is part of doing fiction right, I think I'll just keep doing it wrong.
Most of the stories were sci-fi. All of the sci-fi stories ended depressingly, or at best bittersweet.
It's a trend rather common to sci-fi short stories, at least in my experience. And while it's not my favorite genre by a longshot, I've read a good number of short stories simply b/c they're in (and usually predominant) the sci-fi/fantasy collections I read.
I don't get it. They almost all have the same fucking theme: technology and advancement = bad. Meaning it all inevitably leads to tragedy and or misery. Or, like I said, bittersweet. It just gets redundant. The last story was actually one of the few that didn't follow this theme, but it still ended on an unhappy note. Imho it was rather a stupid ending. Mildly preachy in a predictable way. In fact a lot them tried for the 'happy ending' by doing that lofty "I am wise now and have learned my lesson' thing...but that's why they come off bittersweet at best. I'm not even sure that's the right word. More like they start out fine, but get so lost in "conveying a message" the story falls flat.
Maybe I'm just picky, and snarking at these stories because they're a good taste of my competition. But...not really. I can see why they're good, skill wise and all. But I don't get why they are content wise.
I mean I'm not one to talk - if you don't like fluff my stories are probably going to kill you. I know my stuff tends toward the ridiculous and cute, for the most part. But sheesh, I'd rather someone rolls their eyes and laugh at me than read one of these things and walk away from the book feeling down. Maybe it's just me, but when I read I prefer stuff that doesn't remind me too much of reality. I get plenty enough of that as is.
Granted angst and all help a story but there's a limit. I don't think you should *ever* walk away from a story feeling either miserable or "meh." Sad? Sure. But not miserable.
Then again most of these people are now published and successful writers, whereas I'm broke and going in on Monday to box watches. I guess I really have no room to speak. On the other hand, I know more than a few people who really enjoy all the silly stuff I write. If depressing is part of doing fiction right, I think I'll just keep doing it wrong.
