Segmented Short Stories

folkchick · Nov 6, 2013

Okay, here's something I'm curious about after seeing it a lot lately (in lit mags--not anyone here, mind you). Why does it seem like everyone is breaking their stories up into sections—or chapters, if you will? For me, when a story is broken up into different sections my attention snaps and never really returns. I'm a bit ADD. But how do you feel about this? Have you noticed segmented stories, and how do you feel about them?

ap123 · Nov 6, 2013

I haven't noticed this, but if you're describing more than a scene break I wouldn't enjoy it.

I'm guessing it's personal preference, I don't like novellas either. I either want something that will keep me entertained/occupied for 400 pages or 5-20.

folkchick · Nov 6, 2013

Yeah, I'm not much for novellas either. They have the feel of a Writer's Digest condensed book, which references my childhood way too much, lol. My mother worked at the local library and brought all the extricated volumes home. Yay, me.

Fruitbat · Nov 11, 2013

Do you mean a symbol to show there's a scene break?

*** or #

Like that?

If so, I like it because otherwise it takes me out of the story a bit to figure it out that we're somewhere else in time or space now. A few blank lines would do the same thing, though.

Or do you mean something else?

folkchick · Nov 12, 2013

No, it's not that. Those don't bother me, as it's kind of nice to get a heads up on when a scene is changing. No, it's more like tiered, or chaptered stories. Breaks me out of the story every time.

gettingby · Nov 15, 2013

I think sometimes it can work quite nicely. And, yes, I have seen this in the journals, too. I think it is just another format. I tried writing a story this way. While it was fun to try, it is not something I will do regularly. I think it really depends on the story when it comes to working or not working.

V1c · Nov 18, 2013

Do you mean modular fiction? I write like that a lot. It works for me and is easier for me to read, actually. It forces me to pay attention to piece things together and watch as the puzzle is being laid out. I love the connections made between the sections, especially when done skillfully.

Amos Gunner · Nov 21, 2013

Not sure what "modular fiction" is, and a quick search suggests it's one of those categories without a clear definition.

But sounds interesting. Any favorite modular fiction pieces?

Laer Carroll · Nov 24, 2013

Sounds like a personal preference. It certainly would not bother me.

Chapters and chapter breaks have been used ever since there were books long enough to be broken up. If many people had a problem with them the practice would not exist.

Segmented Short Stories

folkchick

Not a new kid

ap123

Twitching

folkchick

Not a new kid

Fruitbat

.

folkchick

Not a new kid

gettingby

V1c

Hmmmmm

Amos Gunner

figuring it all out

Laer Carroll

Aerospace engineer turned writer