Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Stephen KingRead
A short story is a different thing all together - a short story is like a kiss in the dark from a stranger.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A short story offers an intimate yet fleeting experience, akin to a mysterious and unexpected moment.
In this quote, Stephen King compares a short story to a kiss in the dark from a stranger, suggesting that it delivers a powerful but brief emotional impact. Just as a kiss from an unknown person can evoke curiosity and excitement, a short story captures a momentary spark of imagination, leaving the reader with lingering thoughts and feelings despite its brevity.
Themes
Short StoryKissDarkStrangerEmotionExperience
In practice
Example use cases
During a writers' workshop, I shared this quote to explain the allure of brevity in storytelling.
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That's the day's business. Thinking. Thinking and isolation, because it doesn't matter if you pass the time of day with someone or not; in the end, you're alone. He seemed to have put in as many miles in his brain as he had with his feet. The thoughts kept coming and there was no way to deny them.
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Late last night and the night before, tommyknockers, tommyknockers knocking on my door. I wanna go out, don't know if I can 'cuz I'm so afraid of the tommyknocker man.
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