Writing Short Stories Explained

About the Book

The stories herein are meant to appeal to folks who love short stories, especially to those who may have a desire to write some themselves. Sadly, short stories are not as popular as they were a generation or two ago (nor is reading). Modern short story writers are mostly academics. These noted authors are excruciatingly talented, yet not widely read outside of academic circles. My hope is that writing short stories will become a popular hobby, for there are millions of people who have life experiences on which to base their stories.

Reading only academic short stories is like having your musical library with only symphonic pieces. Most music lovers would mix some rock and roll, jazz and blues into their collection. Adult or continuing education classes are the workshops where aspiring writers can learn to enjoy short stories which are more equivalent to popular music. Unless you are privileged to attend college-level writing courses, check your local library for creative writing classes.

`The author of this book learned the basics in such classes and went on to write award-winning short stories and to see his work published in literary magazines.

If you are a beginning writer, these stories may prove instructive. If you just like reading short stories, I hope you will enjoy them. Rock and roll, jazz and blues. . .

About the Author

William F. Conklin is a retired Navy fighter pilot with combat in Korea and Vietnam. He and Mrs. Conklin have lived on boats for twenty-five years. Both hold Merchant Marine Master's licenses. Mister Conklin is the founder of Conklin Marine, a school for mariners and of the Chesapeake Area Professional Captains Association, both in Annapolis, Maryland. He has contributed articles to Sail, Boating, Oceans and other magazines since 1973. He won two awards for short stories in 1997 and is the author of Nautical Rules of the Road Explained, sold by BoatUS in their stores and catalog. He and Mrs. Conklin now live in Naples, Florida where he has had three short stories published in The Naples Review. He is a member of Mensa and Intertel.