You will enjoy this short video of Kurt Vonnegut’s advice on writing a short-story. The eight writing tips are pithy, wise, and apropos to just about any kind of writing, not just short stories. Not sure I agree with the one about “suspense.”
Here are some interesting tidbits about Mr. Vonnegut I pulled for you from a Wikipedia article. You can read the full article here.
- He majored in chemistry at Cornell University.
- His mother committed suicide when he was 21-years-old.
- He was a prisoner of war in Germany during World War II and the experience influenced his writing.
- He was awarded the Purple Heart for what he called a “ludicrously negligible wound.”
- After the war, he attended the University of Chicago as a graduate student in anthropology and worked for the City News Bureau of Chicago.
- He worked in Public Relations for General Electric, wrote for Sports Illustrated, was a volunteer firefighter, and managed the first United States Saab dealership.
- He raised three of his own, and four adopted children.
- He attempted suicide in l984.
- An asteroid was named in his honor in 1999.
- He taught at Harvard University and City College of New York.
- He did the illustrations for two of his books and designed an album cover, which is now part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame traveling exhibition.
- He was politically outspoken, a lifetime member of the American Civil Liberties Union, and held unconventional views on religion.
- He wrote 14 novels.
- In 2007. Vonnegut died at the age of 84 from massive head trauma after falling down a flight of stairs.
Interesting stuff. Have you read his books or did you know these things about the man?
I’ve never liked Vonnegut. He always winds up doing something strange. For example, I watched “Slaughterhouse-Five” the other day. It was a good movie until about ten minutes towards the end. Then it just got weird.
He is rather odd. I like parts, and don’t like parts. That being said, I am not a Vonnegut scholar so I don’t know what I am talking about!
I admit, I knew nothing about him other than having read one book. Thank you 🙂
I have heard this of Kurt V. previously but there is no harm in hearing it again. I’m with you on the ‘suspense’ part. When I heard his comment, my head kind of caved into my eyebrows. Huh?
I picked up a book of his: Fates Worse Than Death but haven’t read it yet. Maybe it’s time.
Nice of you to think of this post. Enjoyed the reminder.
He really was rather a mad man. His writing is all over the place. I enjoyed the reader “stretch” he gave me but is has been years since I read Slaughterhouse Five. I wonder what I would think if I picked it up again.
I’ve bookmarked this — I may try a short story or two, and his advice, I believe, is invaluable!
You have to promise to share it on your blog if you do write a short story or more!
I will — I’ve never tried. Just have to come up with an idea!
Therein lies the rub.
😎