Quote:
Originally Posted by arjaybe
It's important that everything that gets mentioned in a story serves a vital purpose. Especially in a short story, there's no room for decoration.
|
This is very good advice.
What's more, because we're conditioned to this
as readers of short stories, then if something gets mentioned that feels like a plot point we
expect it to turn out to be important. We're very good at remembering things that stick out, and so feel dissatisfied if we're left with loose ends.
This is why we've been discussing the contracts, Mr Zant, the guy from the South, etc., and trying to get them to come together more (which Marlowe's doing).
Graham