There was a time when short stories and full-fledged novels ran parallel in terms of popularity and reader affability. However, the shorter version of literature took a back seat somewhere during the beginning of the new millennium.
In the subsequent decade, full length books became the norm. Even publishers lost interest in the shorter version of narrative. Today, the tide has changed once again. Singles or shorts as they are popularly called these days have not only nudged regular novels out of their way but have managed to generate impressive sales, especially on digital platforms.
Some of the reasons for this renewed interest are mentioned below.
1. Individuals have become extremely busy in these contemporary times. In such a scenario, a reading time frame of less than 30 minutes makes logical sense. Moreover, it complements the short attention span afflicting modern readers.
2. Another reason why more and more readers are switching to shorts is because they can actually finish the task, unlike full blown novel which may never attract the same set of eyes or interest the second time around. In such a scenario, it breeds a sense of futility and alienates the reader further. Shorter versions of literature on the other hand offer complete satisfaction.
3. Although anthologies of short stories in printed version has garnered immense interest in the recent past, it is the singles version which has changed the dynamics. Solo shorts are cheaper, more so when digitally distributed. It costs less than a cup of coffee.
Although, I love writing standard novels, especially in 100,000+ words category I do offer shorter versions to my readers. Here is the excerpt from my latest novelette titled –
The Brevity of Love –
Cosmic Travel Agency’s 15th floor office suite offered amazing vistas, some of which would have cheered even the most discerning individual but not Jay Arya, the owner and the director. To him, the ribbons of cars snaking their way along multi-level roads and swarms of concrete structures which rose and fell with utter discord, sprinkled with random planted islands and forced flowery sidewalks reflected creative disharmony.
He only saw conflict in these visual musings, and it turned him wary. He considered town planning a serious subject, one that demanded intellect. He doubted if Delhi’s town planners possessed that virtue. Every time he looked out of the window the frown on his face deepened, a kind of acknowledgment to his self-hypothesis.
Renting an office space on the higher floor also meant using the elevator every morning, a chore which robbed him off precious minutes. The ride up in a jam packed cabin wiped out even that minuscule appreciation for the city’s commercial hub. He cursed, hissed and then cursed again till he reached his workplace and eased into the chair.
Jay disliked wasting time on mundane tasks; elevator being one of them. Sometimes a fetish desire to reset its algorithm grabbed his intellectual side. He wanted to tweak the motherboard so that he could be offered a privileged and preferred ride instead of democratically programmed chip set which believed in angelic virtues and energy-efficient stops.
Even now as he sat behind his desk with the laptop booting up he decided that once the lease for the premises expired he’d opt for a lower floor and thereby save himself from the daily grief. When the coffee mug was set on his table he picked it up and sipped in small doses.
You can also check out my Amazon Author Page for the complete list of singles.