Shortbread Stories's Blog › Why do you…

Why do you read/write short stories?

Published 5 months ago

The 22nd of December was National Short Story Day, so we asked Shortbreaders ‘Why do you read/write short stories?’ We received some terrific responses, and we’ve included the top three below:

Kirstin McKenzie

I write and read short stories because like life, they have no real beginnings or endings.

Deanna Westwood 

I like reading short stories for the same reason I like looking through people's windows when they've left the curtains open after dusk. I don't want to move in, I just want a quick peek at other lives before I move on.

Andy Bottomley

Why do I write short stories?

Now there's a good question, a question I may not have addressed if someone hadn't asked it.

Do I do it for money? What do you think?
Do I do it for fame? Ditto, although some form of recognition has it reassuring confirmatory benefits.
Do I do it because I can? I think some would have questions about that!

No, I think the reason is both complex and yet simple.

I write because I want to.
I write because through it I enter new, exciting and sometimes dark worlds. I go to places my mind ain't ever been before.
I write because it enables me to discover more about who I am.
I write because I can view the world through different eyes, and maybe see a different point of view. Which can be quite surprising!

Writing is a passport that allows one to enter a country where there are a million scenarios and just one question asked a billion ways.... What if?

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