Next summer? Yes, there will be a Season 2. For spring and summer 2015 I plan to interview fiction writers who write about the sea, or sailing, or set their stories on water. Lakes, brooks, creeks, the ocean—doesn't matter.
Why am I doing that? To commemorate the birth of my new mystery series. Shhh. Keep tuned to this blog for more. Starting next week my blog will once again go into writing about My Indie Journey.
For my final spectacular short story author, I am pleased to introduce you to Ben Solomon.
Ben grew up with Picasso, Cagney and Beethoven. Classical arts training, comic books and Hollywood's golden age rounded out his education and provided inspiration for a lifetime. He's worked across many disciplines, attempting to capture the heart and soul of music onto canvas, translate oils and celluloid into words.
Solomon's passion for the tough guy world of early gangster and PI flicks led to the creation of "The Hard-Boiled Detective," a short story series starring a nameless gumshoe in a throwback era seeking truth, justice, and sometimes a living. He launched the ongoing series online in February 2013, offering three yarns a month to subscribers. His sleuth has appeared in e-zines across the web as well as the 2014 anthology "The Shamus Sampler II." Another adventure is scheduled to appear in an upcoming anthology published by Fox Spirit Books.
Solomon's passion for the tough guy world of early gangster and PI flicks led to the creation of "The Hard-Boiled Detective," a short story series starring a nameless gumshoe in a throwback era seeking truth, justice, and sometimes a living. He launched the ongoing series online in February 2013, offering three yarns a month to subscribers. His sleuth has appeared in e-zines across the web as well as the 2014 anthology "The Shamus Sampler II." Another adventure is scheduled to appear in an upcoming anthology published by Fox Spirit Books.
What is your all-time favorite short story and why?
I'll pitch you the one that always comes to mind: "Red Wind" by Raymond Chandler. One of the best opening paragraphs I've ever read. An opening I'm sure even Elmore Leonard found a worthy exception to his "Ten Rules of Writing." In five short sentences Chandler creates the yarn's universe, its laws of nature, its tone and sense, its voice. Simply masterful.
What is the most difficult part of writing short fiction?
The voice trips me up a lot. Most of my work's written in first person, and that makes the narrator's perspective and attitude crucial. The voice makes it play, sing. Gives it heart and soul.
What piece of advice would you give to a prospective short story writer?
Write your ass off and make it your own.
Which of your short stories should we read first and why?
What a swell opportunity for a plug. The Hard-Boiled Detective 1 just came out in paperback and soon hits the e-shelves. This volume is a collection of the first 11 adventures from the monthly series I began in February 2013. I've been writing three stories a month for this subscription series. With 57 tales and counting, I figured it was high time for the first book. So sure, start out with the daddy of 'em all, "Statement No. 1: Pierre-Louis Leblanc." Each yarn is a stand-alone, but there is a progression to the writing and characters without getting into subplots and backstories.
I'll pitch you the one that always comes to mind: "Red Wind" by Raymond Chandler. One of the best opening paragraphs I've ever read. An opening I'm sure even Elmore Leonard found a worthy exception to his "Ten Rules of Writing." In five short sentences Chandler creates the yarn's universe, its laws of nature, its tone and sense, its voice. Simply masterful.
What is the most difficult part of writing short fiction?
The voice trips me up a lot. Most of my work's written in first person, and that makes the narrator's perspective and attitude crucial. The voice makes it play, sing. Gives it heart and soul.
What piece of advice would you give to a prospective short story writer?
Write your ass off and make it your own.
Which of your short stories should we read first and why?
What a swell opportunity for a plug. The Hard-Boiled Detective 1 just came out in paperback and soon hits the e-shelves. This volume is a collection of the first 11 adventures from the monthly series I began in February 2013. I've been writing three stories a month for this subscription series. With 57 tales and counting, I figured it was high time for the first book. So sure, start out with the daddy of 'em all, "Statement No. 1: Pierre-Louis Leblanc." Each yarn is a stand-alone, but there is a progression to the writing and characters without getting into subplots and backstories.
Enjoyed this blog. 'ongoing series online in February 2013' is a brilliant concept. What is the average number of stories in an average short story book (if there is such a thing)? And how long is too long, and the same for short?
ReplyDeleteThat's a good question, Donna. Ben's collection has 11 and mine has 7. I think Donna Fitch's (earlier this summer) has 6. Yet some anthologies with multiple authors have upwards to 20 and sometimes 30.
ReplyDeleteLinda and Ben,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading this interview. Ben, wishing you much success with your short story collection. My answer to Donna's question is that my short story collection BEYOND THE BO TREE has ten short stories. I have short stories in numerous anthologies, however, that have many more stories, but they include multiple authors as well.
Thanks for the good vibes, Jacqueline. As to your question, Donna, most anthologies I catch run from 12–20 stories. Single author collections can really vary. For my volume, I shot for a 70,000-word length, a decent book's worth. Strikes me it's a call like so many others. There are no hard and fast rules. It's all about making it "play."
ReplyDelete