Drabbles

[queenjaneapprxmtly]

Yeah, I don't get it, either. I would never be able to do anything with 100 words. Instead I think somebody should do maybe a series of vignettes instead of drabbles -- I'm doing a Vietnam War vignette story (not Outsiders, it's original). It's a lot of fun, too, because there's no general flow of chapters but it still makes sense. :)

I don't know how some people do it, though. 100 words is not a lot.

[Tensleep]

Huh. Good to know that's how long they are...I just figured it meant something along the lines of random stories that had no connection and were all just shoved together.

On that note, 100 words? Man, that's barely long enough to say hello.

See ya in the funny papers!!!

Tens

[zevie]

Hahaha, a hundred words?! Good grief, I've got more than that in my friggin A/Ns.

I've also come across a story that's completely drabbles, but, I kinda like them. They remind me of story prompts a little; if they're done well they can set a really distinct mood, and if the chemistry's right, and the planets align and all that, it can inspire a longer story idea. It makes it kinda wrenching to read though, if you get into the mood and then a short paragraph later you're in something completely different. They're not my favourite thing to read for this reason (and others, lol), but they're not bad. Plus, if you ever hit something you don't like, it's over in thirty-seconds. I don't think I could write them, but I think I could understand how someone would want to write them, if you just have a tiny vivid scene in your mind that doesn't fit into any longer story. It's like starting a bunch of stories before it gets too complicated! Could be fun. I still prefer one-shots though, as, needless to say, I ramble.

[Keira]

I always knew drabbles were only 100 words, but I always changed the definition to being 1 page, just for my sanity. Lol. I guess that would have be called something else, wouldn't it?

[akanechan]

Okay, uh...may I ask, what's the point of this topic? Badmouthing drabbles? That's all? o.o Well, dandy topic I must say.

Also, I doubt drabbles would be 100 words. That's not enough to be considered a story in my opinion. Drabbles, the way I see, are one-shots shorter than 1,000 words.

[latch22]

"Okay, uh...may I ask, what's the point of this topic? Badmouthing drabbles? That's all? o.o Well, dandy topic I must say."


The point of this topic is to offer opinions on drabbles. The general consensus happens to be a negative one, but just offering one's opinion, whether it be positive or not, does not mean that they're "bad-mouthing."

"That's not enough to be considered a story in my opinion."

That was their point...

And the definition fluctuates. A drabble can mean something one hundred words long. That's what I've known it to be. Then again, there are already too many terms and what-not, I think. Can't we all just write and call it that? Lol.

Cheers!

[zevie]

Not badmouthing them, exactly... in general I think it's just hard to understand why people would want to write them (the 100-word variation). Looking for an explanation, more than bashing I think (?). Of course, quite a few of the people here have massive chapters long stories, lol (myself included). I like one-shots myself, but if I write them and really want them to be one-shots I have to firmly tell myself "no" when my brain tries to continue. I love long spirally plots, reading or writing. If the writer is good, I want more. (Simple gluttony.) Thirty, forty, fifty chapters sounds fine to me. (How many did "Gone with the Wind" have? Haha...)

[Keira]

Lol, akanechan, have you seen the rest of this forum? Half of it is debate of a negative nature. It's okay to express your opinion on a matter.

No, see, the traditional use of a drabble - or rather the correct way - is a story consisting of 100 words. A story that has more or less would technically be called something different, though many people still tend to consider them one in the same.

Drabbles are hard and don't offer much substance, but all the more power to those who do them!

[Tensleep]

You know, I've decided to be a rebel and not change the name of 'The Why Drabbles' because that would take too much work. People can deal with the 2000 word chapters.

I kind of agree with Zevie. There are merits to 100 word prompts for just random thoughts and the like, but give me a one-shot any day.

See ya in the funny papers!!!

Tens

[Tensleep]

Mars, I am right there with you. It was a good topic to start.

[fairlane]

I could never write anything like that I always have to describe everything to the nth degree. And I like reading stories with plot, character development, etc.

In saying that, if I read a really good 100 word story I'd be impressed. I think it would take skill to do anything much with so few words.

[Rock]

You know, its interesting that this was brought up. Honestly, I never knew that a drabble was for the purpose of writing an actual story. I thought that the use of a drabble was more for creating the plot and/or characters. Almost like an outline, but little snips of the story.

I must be odd - but thats what I always used them for. (but then, my stories always start as a drabble - not written, but in my head that is all it is at first.)

Just my two cents. I know its late - but Ive had a very busy weekend (1st anniversary baby!) And I don't get on when I have food poisoning...hahaha. Can you blame me?

See y'all!

Rock

[latch22]

I wasn't totally against them, but, nonetheless, I stand corrected.

I just read a drabble that was... Well, it was skillfully done, I think. (I can't remember where I found it, though... Don't ask. My computer is screwy...):

I like to play games with words. Always have, ever since I was little. (Fifteen). Yesterday I tried to describe Him in one hundred words. (Twenty-six). He is a leader. He will always be a leader, even when He has no one left to lead, even when He is preaching to empty chairs and open spaces, even when His only follower is Himself. Him in thirty words. (Seventy). He is cold and calculating. He acts with motives that no one can discern, but are none the less there. In twelve words: He seems dangerous. Him in one word. Intense.

(Hundred).

If you want to get technical, though, it's obviously a character study more than a story.

So a use for drabbles has been discovered! They can be good for short, sweet, poignant character studies.

(As for the character in question... well, whoever you think he is, I suppose.)

: )

Cheers!

[akanechan]

I still don't believe a drabble is literally a mere 100 words *shot*

To be honest, I don't think a story with a plot can be written in such a small amount. xP I've always thought drabbles were small, like less than 800 words, but 100 words is only enough to make a sonnet, and I don't think that even with that is enough heh.

[EmilineHarris]

While people use the term loosely to describe a story that is exceptionally short, I found the following on wikipedia:

"A drabble is an extremely short work of fiction exactly one hundred words in length, although the term is often misused to indicate a short story of less than 1000 words. The purpose of the drabble is brevity and to test the author's ability to express interesting and meaningful ideas in an extremely confined space."

I can see where such an exercise would help an author to explore an idea in few words, but I still don't understand how 100 words can constitute a "story" on any level!