To Make a Long Story Short
by Nancy Cole Silverman
Henry David Thoreau first coined the phrase 'make a long story short' in a letter back in the 1800s. He wrote: "Not that the story needs to be long, but it will take a long time to make it short."
As a novelist, short story writer, and teacher of the craft, I wholeheartedly agree. There is nothing short, simple, or quick about writing a short story. In fact, experience has taught me that the shorter the format, the harder it is to set the tone and capture the reader.
