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The Storyteller Interview
Posted on 30 March 2005. © Copyright 2004-2008 WriteWords
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WriteWords talks to Sam Barnes, editor of The Storyteller, a web-based fiction ezine featuring short stories between 1000-3000 words
Tell us something about your background.
I’m an English teacher. I write in my spare time. I decided to start up The
Storyteller, both as a platform for my own writing, and the work of others. I enjoy reading short stories on the web, and decided to limit the site exclusively to works of between 1000 and 3000 words, (approximately). Like many other writers, I am working on novel, but it will be several months yet before it’s finished. I like the format of short stories, because you can read them all in one go. Kind of like a bedtime story…
What kind of writing do you look for?
Anything with a fresh and original feel; or traditional well crafted stories. The most important thing, personally speaking, is that I get some strong mental images from a story. I am looking for textures, sights, sounds, smells: ‘Writerly writing’ rather than complex plots. Interesting plots are of course welcome, but with The Storyteller I am not looking for ‘cluedo’ style detective stories. Having said that I do aim to include a range of different writing styles on the site, and will consider all submissions.
How do you find writers?
Writers web rings, forums, short story sites. ( Though I am not trying to pilfer other people’s viewers!) I hope to increase public awareness of my site through links to sites such as WriteWords. This way I am slowly but surely increasing the amount of submissions I receive. It’s not easy to find decent stories, and I appreciate people submitting work. I try to give constructive feedback even if I don’t accept a story.
Who are your favourite writers and why?
I love Douglas Adams, and the Hitchhiker’s series. Anything with a touch of humour; Iain Banks, Alex Garland, Irving Welsh.
What excites you about a piece of writing-
Difficult one! If a book or story makes me want to turn the next page this excites me. If I can’t go to bed before I finish the story—this thrills me. Anything that I read has to have a good structure to it, meaning and events in a story must be portrayed clearly, and I like getting strong and crisp mental images from a text. When this happens I think ‘Wow, why can’t I write like that’?
and what makes your heart sink?
When a story starts out well, and then becomes very mediocre. I think the hardest thing for authors is to carry a story through, maintaining the readers interest the whole time. This is not to say that a text cannot change pace, just that there should be a reason for including each component of a story.
 Comments by other Members
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Posted by :
 Silverelli at 16:12 on 30 March 2005
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Good interview.
Good luck with the magazine.
Adam.
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Posted by :
Zigeroon at 21:12 on 30 March 2005
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Enjoyed this one. Reviewing comedic short stories for submission.
And writing.
Andrew
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Posted by :
Nik Perring at 17:33 on 31 March 2005
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Sounds good.
Nik.
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Posted by :
 Anna Reynolds at 14:49 on 02 August 2006
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New site link for the storyteller, and also they're looking for new submissions:
'Newstoryteller is looking for short stories between 1000 and 3000 words, or longer stories (i.e. novels) that are serialized. If submitting a longer story, please do not send a full manuscript. Divide your script up into approximately 2000 word chunks and send the first to us for consideration.
We particularly encourage the submission of humorous material, and will give priority to such work. However, any kind of writing will be considered especially that which shows originality of style or story. Also we are looking for ‘writerly writing’, i.e. evocative sensory descriptions, rather than just innovative plots.
The purpose of Newstoryteller is to give emerging writing talents a platform for their work, therefore payment is not offered for submissions. We only ask for the nonexclusive right to e-publish your short-story or novel. Work can be removed from the site if you receive a paid publishing offer elsewhere.'
http://www.newstoryteller.com
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Posted by :
old friend at 07:20 on 03 August 2006
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Sam not only knows how to write a good short story but he has the ability of selecting work of high standards from others.
Congratulations and may increasing success come your way. A nice Interview. Thanks
Len
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Posted by :
Beanie Baby at 12:28 on 22 August 2006
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Interesting interview. I am not much of a short-story writer but this has inspired me to give it a go.
Good luck with the magazine.
Beanie
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