Short Story Connect discussion

Join us on May 11, 2016, for a special discussion with Perry Prete, author of the newly released short story collection Highway 7: 4 Dark Tales:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

If you have a question for Perry, please post it in this thread, where he will be discussing his writing.

Remember: you can post questions here throughout the duration of the Featured Author Discussion at any time.

We are looking forward to the insightful questions and answers!

Thanks so much for being our Featured Author, Perry! We are looking forward to a great discussion next week.

We would like to know, when writing short stories, do you find yourself writing to a specific word count or does the story itself dictate the length?

The DigiWriting Team

Hi Perry!

Have you ever been compared to another author who you greatly respect or admire? If so, who, and do you agree with that comparison? Thanks!

A question we often ponder: How do you select the title for your books? Do they grow from your writing or do you have the title in mind before you start to write?

What is it about short story writing that appeals to you so much?

When I read a reference to Highway 7 as a Poe book in the Amazon description, I took note! Does a comparison such as this put pressure on you when writing the next book?

Sometimes you start with a title in mind, knowing what you want to write about. Most often as you write, the story develops in a new direction and the title might no longer fits. So, you work at finding a title that fits.

I am starting to read your book. Could you let me know which story you feel is most like Poe's writing?

Thank you.

I have a question I often ask fellow writers: Do you have a specific writing process or do you plan your writing time? ie. do you fit your writing into the rest of your life or does your life revolve around your writing?

DigiWriting wrote: "Thanks so much for being our Featured Author, Perry! We are looking forward to a great discussion next week.

We would like to know, when writing short stories, do you find yourself writing to a sp..."

I currently work full time as a Paramedic, own a medical supply company that employs almost 20 people therefore, scheduling time to write is out of the question. I carry a laptop with me during the day, when I'm in the ambulance, pretty much everywhere I go. When a free moment presents itself, I start tapping out a few words and eventually a story is written.

Ben wrote: "What is it about short story writing that appeals to you so much?"

Hi Ben: This is my first short story novel. Short stories are an amazing venue. You have to introduce characters, develop a story and finish it, all within a relatively short time frame. There is little room for filler. It's like writing a commercial for a one hour TV show. The problem with short stories is that you can introduce a character you really enjoy then be forced to leave them.

The female lead in Social Studies was an intriguing person and one I would have like to develop more but felt that too much more would have resulted in a full length novel.

I can write a 10,000 to 20,000 short story is just a few days. It's very satisfying.

Novel can take months.

I hope that answers your questions instead of confusing you.

Amanda wrote: "I have a question I often ask fellow writers: Do you have a specific writing process or do you plan your writing time? ie. do you fit your writing into the rest of your life or does your life revol..."

Hello Amanda: I have so much going on in my life that writing is my respite. Not being able to plan writing sessions, I take advantage of any time I get to sit and create a fantasy world. Often, in the ambulance, I will tap out a few paragraphs on Stand By's, or between calls. In fact, we just got back to base and I'm sitting in the crew room as I write this.

I'm often asked how I managed to do so much and still manage to write. I'm asked if I organized, the answer is NO! Do I have a schedule for writing. NO! I like not having a schedule, not being tied down to a fixed time frame, in fact, it's like being a Paramedic. Some days, your bladder screams for a release because we don't get a moment to make a pit stop, you don't get a meal and you survive on a six month old granola bar you found on the bottom of your jump bag. Other days, you watch TV, check your email, write a little, make a full meal on the store and don't turn a wheel.

I write when the mood strikes, when time allows, when the battery God on the laptop grants me permission to use it.

Perry

Monica wrote: "I am starting to read your book. Could you let me know which story you feel is most like Poe's writing?

Thank you."

Monica: I sincerely hope you enjoy the book. As a note, I didn't intend to copy a particular style, in fact, I hadn't read Poe until after I wrote the book.

The similarity lies in the use of imagery. You don't always have to give all the details of a gruesome scene or blood curdling event. Let the reader fill in the spaces with their own experiences. For some, based on their past, it could so much terrifying than others.

It's like Hitchcock. He didn't have to show the knife plunge into the body in the shower scene of Psycho. The shower curtain was pulled back, a shadowy figure raises the knife and plunges it forward. Bloody water swirls around the drain. Our mind fills in the empty gasps when the knife penetrates the skin, where the knife strikes is left up to the viewer.

I like to think the reader is part of the story and can write what is left unsaid. Some may find this amateurish or incomplete. I like to make it part of the experience.

I hope this only confuses you more. LOL

P

Birgitta wrote: "Sometimes you start with a title in mind, knowing what you want to write about. Most often as you write, the story develops in a new direction and the title might no longer fits. So, you work at fi..."

Hello Birgitta: None of my novels have ever started with a title. I use a code word. My newest novel is currently titled, November 13, the date I started to write this story. Sadly, I had to put it down for several months to finish another project. I will choose a title only after the work is complete. For some, this method may prove to be difficult, but it works for me.

Ironically, choosing a title is more difficult for me than writing my novels. A strong title can make or break a book. The same goes for the cover.

I hope this answers your question.

P

Monica wrote: "When I read a reference to Highway 7 as a Poe book in the Amazon description, I took note! Does a comparison such as this put pressure on you when writing the next book?"

Monica: Pressure. Pressure. Pressure. Not at all. Quick, where's my Lorazepam.

Seriously, any reference to Poe, King or Hitchcock is a huge compliment. Does it put more pressure on me, not really. I have my style which suits me fine. Any comparison to the masters is only a compliment.

This is my first attempt at anything other than mystery. I enjoyed the time I spent writing it. I let of demons out and helps with my job.

My next Thriller novel is coming along nicely. The idea hit me one afternoon and developed an entire story around it.

Please let me know if you enjoy Highway 7.

Perry

DigiWriting wrote: "Thanks so much for being our Featured Author, Perry! We are looking forward to a great discussion next week.

We would like to know, when writing short stories, do you find yourself writing to a sp..."

Hi Digiwriting: I don't pay attention to word count, I just like to tell a story. I think a good story is good regardless of the word count. That being said, my editor is the one who likes to look at word count. LOL

Talia wrote: "Hi Perry!

Have you ever been compared to another author who you greatly respect or admire? If so, who, and do you agree with that comparison? Thanks!"

Hi Talia: Highway 7 has been referred to Poe, King and Hitchcock. How can you not be flattered when your work is mentioned in the same context as any of the names above.

Hopefully one day, some new author will say, "Wow, my work reminds the reader of Prete's writing." HAHAHAHAHAHA

Sorry.

A lengthy answer but my original question remains unanswered! Could you let me know which story you feel is most like Poe's writing? If it is not too much to answer, please let me know as I may not have time to read all of Highway 7 before the discussion so I want to focus on at least one of the stories. Thank you very much!

Just from this answer, I want to read up one of your books!

Inspiration strikes at the oddest moments and it seems as though you make the best of it. When you are writing in the crew room, or during a shift, for example, do you find you are influenced by what is happening around you or are you lost in your writing world?

Monica wrote: "A lengthy answer but my original question remains unanswered! Could you let me know which story you feel is most like Poe's writing? If it is not too much to answer, please let me know as I may not..."

Monica: Sorry. I would have to say two stories are more like Poe than the others, The Elevator and Social Studies. Of the two, The Elevator would be most like Poe.

Amanda wrote: "Just from this answer, I want to read up one of your books!

Inspiration strikes at the oddest moments and it seems as though you make the best of it. When you are writing in the crew room, or duri..."

Amanda: I can focus out a lot of things. In the crew room, with the TV blaring, the staff talking, I hear nothing and get completely engrossed in the process of writing. My mind just enters this zone where outside stimuli has no effect on me. It's an ability that works well for a writer. If you want proof of this, ask my wife. Apparently, I never listen to her. LOL

Thanks, Perry!

How did you decide to include 4 stories in your latest release, Highway 7? Were there any stories that didn't make the cut?

Hi Perry,

Loved your answer! Do you think any of your stories or books would make great movies? Which ones, and why?

Talia wrote: "Hi Perry,

Loved your answer! Do you think any of your stories or books would make great movies? Which ones, and why?"

Talia: Thank you for that great question. I think the Ethan Tennant books would make a great basis for a TV series. The popularity of Night Shift on A&E demonstrates what Paramedics really do. If I had to choose a story from H7, I'd pick the anchor story itself, Highway 7. The story could easily be expanded and turned into a movie. Of course I would add a few superheroes from the Avengers franchise to join in for some action scenes.

P

DigiWriting wrote: "Thanks, Perry!

How did you decide to include 4 stories in your latest release, Highway 7? Were there any stories that didn't make the cut?"

I had this great idea to call my book, "The Four Seasons" with four short stories. Apparently, this author I've never heard of before, maybe you've heard of him, Stephen King???, had this book titled "Different Seasons". So, the last story of the book had a great title which ended up being used for the book. Besides, The Four Seasons, could also be confused with the hotel chain.

I wanted to put in several more stories, The Dam, based on a true life experience. There was also a SciFi story that I had started for this book as well. Unfortunately, time didn't allow for those two to be included in "Highway 7". If H7 is a success, which by all accounts, it will be, I may write another book of Thriller short stories and include those two.

So, yes, two stories didn't make the cut.

Perry

HI Perry,

Which ob do you enjoy more - being a parametric or an author?

Thanks!

Adam wrote: "HI Perry,

Which ob do you enjoy more - being a parametric or an author?

Thanks!"

Adam: No one has ever asked me that. Good question. Each has their merits. I've been a Paramedic for 34 years now, and an author for five. The patient interaction is amazing. The rejection and criticism from readers is hard to take some times. You can receive both fantastic and horrible reviews for the same novel. The satisfaction of creating and telling a story is like nothing else. When people tell you that they couldn't put the book down or that I scared them, or they enjoyed the story is a wonderful feeling.

As a Paramedic, we seldom hear back from the patients if they recovered or are doing better. There is little patient interaction after the fact. Lots of complaining during the call though.

Now that I'm at the end of my EMS career, I'd have to say being an author is much more rewarding.

Thanks Adam.

I have just finished reading The Elevator. How did the concept or idea for this story come to you? I have always wondered where the inspiration for darker literature comes from.

Monica wrote: "I have just finished reading The Elevator. How did the concept or idea for this story come to you? I have always wondered where the inspiration for darker literature comes from."

Monica: Thank you for reading The Elevator. I hope you liked it. The idea came from my own phobias and fears. I usually write mystery, but the idea for the original story came to me one day. The other stories had been floating around for awhile in this vast expanse resting on my shoulders. I love the darker side of life that can sometimes scare or make the reader think beyond their comfort zone.

Please let me know how the enjoyed the rest of the book.

Perry

Big thank you to Perry Prete for answering all of our questions today and over the last week! We hope everyone enjoyed the discussion, and encourage all to check out Perry's work.