The 5 shortlisted stories for the BBC
National Short Story Award have been announced. Sadly, they didn’t contact the
Indoor Writer about her entry, but not unsurprising as the competition is tough - they
probably received thousands of entries for the £15,000 prize. The top 5 writers are
all professional and some are pretty well-known names, for example Lionel Shriver wrote the bestselling
novel ‘We need to talk about Kevin’. Interestingly, the 2013 shortlist is all women... You can listen (or download) the 5
shortlisted stories, see links below, which have been broadcast all week on
Radio 4 (3.30pm).
Mrs Fox by Sarah Hall
A sensual fantasy where a husband lives through the amazing transformation of his wife. Weird and compelling. Some of its hypnotic power may have been lost with a male narrator.
A sensual fantasy where a husband lives through the amazing transformation of his wife. Weird and compelling. Some of its hypnotic power may have been lost with a male narrator.
Barmouth by Lisa Bower
A tale of family seaside holidays, to which we all probably can relate. Have to admit I drifted off and didn't follow this one too well...
Prepositions by Lionel Shriver
A brave story from a US born writer where a New York widow, who's husband died 'on' 9/11, writes to a friend who lost her husband 'in' 9/11. Short in length, but powerful in its simplicity.
A brave story from a US born writer where a New York widow, who's husband died 'on' 9/11, writes to a friend who lost her husband 'in' 9/11. Short in length, but powerful in its simplicity.
Notes from the house spirits by Lucy Wood
Unusually told in third person plural ie. 'we' and 'us', which works for the subject and theme. A gentle and engaging tale, again very hypnotic listening.
Unusually told in third person plural ie. 'we' and 'us', which works for the subject and theme. A gentle and engaging tale, again very hypnotic listening.
We are watching something terrible happening by Lavinia Greenlaw
A contemporary story weaving the science of meteorites, a civil war and a woman's thoughts on her disintegrating marriage. I had to concentrate to stay with this one, possibly easier to read.
A contemporary story weaving the science of meteorites, a civil war and a woman's thoughts on her disintegrating marriage. I had to concentrate to stay with this one, possibly easier to read.
I'm already a fan of Lucy Wood, her debut short story collection is 'Diving Belles', so really enjoyed her story which comes from this collection of Cornish folk tales. But the story that has lingered longest in my thoughts is 'Mrs Fox', so I'm plumping for this as my favourite and top tip for the prize.
All of the above stories work well read aloud but I do wonder if the attention would still be held on the page. Leading to the question: should a short story meet the demands of a reader or listener or both? What do you think?
All of the above stories work well read aloud but I do wonder if the attention would still be held on the page. Leading to the question: should a short story meet the demands of a reader or listener or both? What do you think?
I listen to quite a few pod-casts and I'm beginning to think it's a different discipline - writing for audio rather than personal silent reading. Having a story read is much closer to the old tradition of story-telling and a great deal of that employed facial expression, gesture, and other body language to create engagements and enhance expression. Some 'written for reading' sentences are too complex to hold in short term audio memory (unless that's just me!) and there's no way of holding the rest in mind while you review what you heard. And dialogue, well! Should it be en-acted, voice-acted, or just sufficiently differentiated to allow us to get who's talking? I'm interested because I don't think it serves some literature well and because I'm considering it as a tool to enable people with literacy difficulties to access more written material. No problem there then!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have put it better myself, Suzanne. Thank you for popping by with such intelligent comments. Do you know that Ian at WSW supports speaking newspapers, they often record stories for listeners?
DeleteWe aim to please!
DeleteI didn't know that Ian was involved with speaking newspapers. Must be tricky to get the emphasis right - newsreader or content explicator? I often think the same of sign language - there's a great deal of additional expression going on there too, even though most can see the speaker's face.
I saw there were some well known names, Tracy!
ReplyDeleteYes, Rosemary, which makes it such a tough competition. I guess the prize money is attractive and there is no entry fee!
DeleteI find stories really difficult to listen to as I always find my mind wondering. It's definitely as skill that has to be learnt unless you are someone who listens to the radio a lot. If I listen to them, it will be a good test of the better ones as they would have to be engrossing to keep my attention!
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem listening to short stories or radio drama, Wendy, and have to concentrate hard. I think they have to hook you quickly to stick with them.
DeleteThey left my name off the list too.
ReplyDeleteI think writing for audio is different from writing for the page. Some stories might work well in both formats, but others will often be better in one than the other.
We will both have to try again next year, Patsy! I just wonder what criteria the BBC are using to judge the stories as they are recording them for listeners, because as you say some stories work better in one format.
DeleteWow, im really shocked that well known novelists would enter short story comps.
ReplyDeletexx
I think the £15K prize money may have something to do with it, Vikki :)
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