Short Story Writing A Practical Treatise on the Art of The Short Story   By: Charles Raymond Barrett (1874-)

A Practical Treatise on the Art of the Short Story

By Charles Raymond Barrett, Ph. B.

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( FOURTH THOUSAND )

New York: The Baker and Taylor Co. 33 37 E. 17th Street, Union Square North

Copyrighted, 1898, by Charles Raymond Barrett Copyrighted, 1900, by Charles Raymond Barrett

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

I THE SHORT STORY

II SHORT STORIES CLASSIFIED

III THE PLOT

IV TITLES GOOD AND BAD

V THE USE OF FACTS

VI THE CHARACTERS

VII METHODS OF NARRATION

VIII THE BEGINNING

IX THE STORY PROPER

X CLIMAX AND CONCLUSION

XI THE STYLE

XII THE LABOR OF AUTHORSHIP

XIII THE QUEST OF A MARKET

APPENDIX "THE AMBITIOUS GUEST"

PREFACE

This book is an attempt to put into definite form the principles observed by the masters of the short story in the practice of their art. It is the result of a careful study of their work, of some indifferent attempts to imitate them, and of the critical examination of several thousands of short stories written by amateurs. It is designed to be of practical assistance to the novice in short story writing, from the moment the tale is dimly conceived until it is completed and ready for the editor's judgment.

The rules and principles here presented embody not what I conceive to be right, but what the great masters of the short story have thought to be right, and what they have proved to be at least successful. I speak only as a delver into the secrets of other men; and if I seem arrogant, it is due to the influence of the company I keep. My deductions are made not only from the artifices and triumphs of the successful, but from the struggles and failures of the unfortunate as well; and I have endeavored to make clear both the philosophy and the application of all the principles so deduced. Though in theory these rules are obligatory on all who essay the short story, they are frequently and knowingly evaded or violated by the masters of the art, whose genius is great enough to excuse their disregard of the conventions, or whose skill is sufficient to smooth over their technical lapses; but for the novice the only safe course is a careful observance of all conventions.

To the aspiring writer this book may seem to be merely a catalogue of "Don'ts", the gist of which is, "Don't write"; but that is to misread me. Short story writing is not easy, and I cannot make it so, even if I would; but it is far from my purpose to discourage any person who feels the Heaven sent call to write, and who has the will and ability to respond to it. But that call is but a summons to labor and to labor the severest and most persistent. To one who comes to it but half heartedly, illy prepared, shirking its requirements, I can predict certain failure; but to the earnest, serious, conscientious worker, I would say a word of hope. The promotion from the rank of amateur to the dignity of authorship may be long in coming, but it will come at last. Fame, like all else that this world has to give, depends largely upon downright hard work; and he who has the courage to strive in the face of disappointments will achieve success in the end.