The Editor (159 words) - Writers Forum

Hidden · 04-01-2008, 05:04 AM

The book burnt throughout the country. It wasn’t a great book, and probably wouldn’t have drawn much attention if it hadn’t threatened the sensibilities of the dictator. Some months later the dictator published his début novel, which was almost an exact copy of the book that had been burnt, besides the odd killed off plotline or character. A year or so passed, and the despot ordered all his novels to be collected up and burnt. He then published another debut novel. This process continued until there wasn’t a single plotline or character that resembled his first book. The dictator’s regime came to pass and the people burnt, joyously, his final book. However, the dictator escaped his country and went to live in exile. After his death a book was found on his desk. It was a collection of those elements that had opposed him, that had lived beyond him, the voices that resonated and couldn’t be silenced by him.

zizban · 04-01-2008, 09:43 AM

This seems lmore a summary than a story. Flesh it out a bit.

Hidden · 04-02-2008, 06:37 AM

Zizban, thank you for reading and your comment. However, this is meant to be flash fiction, where brevity is the target. Still, your comment is appreciated.

Cheers,

Hidden

shraga · 04-02-2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Some months later the dictator published his début novel, which was almost an exact copy of the book that had been burnt, besides the odd killed off plotline or character

I am not quite sure what you are trying to say with this sentence but it is not written well

The story itself seemed kind of piontless and childish. I understand the idea of flash fiction, but not at the expense of the story.
Try writing the story, the whole story, if its flash great , if not then it will be a short story or a novel but don't destroy a story because you want it to be short

Merforga · 04-02-2008, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shraga

I am not quite sure what you are trying to say with this sentence but it is not written well

The story itself seemed kind of piontless and childish. I understand the idea of flash fiction, but not at the expense of the story.
Try writing the story, the whole story, if its flash great , if not then it will be a short story or a novel but don't destroy a story because you want it to be short

That's very solid advice.

Jax1108 · 04-02-2008, 12:22 PM

I agree. There is a difference in flash fiction and a summary, but here you can't really tell. Go and read some others' flash fiction entries. They are able to tell the story, with depth, and with less words, and still really grab your attention. This really didn't do anything for me at all, sorry. Plus, when has a dictator ever been exiled? I can't recall anyone having the personailty to be a dictator and also running away like a coward. That just didn't sit well with me.
Shraga gave great advice.
good luck

SamuelMerrin · 04-02-2008, 01:31 PM

i would urge you to make the symbolism deeper. what point are you trying to make here? there is something good here, but you need to reach, allude to a larger story

Tiamat10 · 04-02-2008, 06:51 PM

I thought I was reading some bit of info out of a history book, rather than a story. I understand the need for brevity in flash fiction, but the need for the story to be there is even more important. Try again; keep writing.