The Devil and Ernest Hemingway
- ROU Killing Time
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The Devil and Ernest Hemingway
Ernest sat with Beelzebub in his favorite haunt, drinking into the evening and discussing story formation at is essence.
What could be trimmed away as unnecessary and still leave a complete piece?
Lucifer maintained 1000 words would be required while Ernest steadfastly argued that 100 words would be expansive.
He could do it himself in only six words.
"If I prove it, you pay the bartab, otherwise?" he glanced knowingly downward.
He scrawled out a sentence and passed it to Satan who frowned as a tear welled at the corner of his infernal eye.
"For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Used."
*******
Author's note:
In a similiar discussion with a real person, Ernest Hemingway did in fact proffer this solution to the "Shortest Possible Story." and later cited it as the finest piece of writing he had ever created.
What could be trimmed away as unnecessary and still leave a complete piece?
Lucifer maintained 1000 words would be required while Ernest steadfastly argued that 100 words would be expansive.
He could do it himself in only six words.
"If I prove it, you pay the bartab, otherwise?" he glanced knowingly downward.
He scrawled out a sentence and passed it to Satan who frowned as a tear welled at the corner of his infernal eye.
"For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Used."
*******
Author's note:
In a similiar discussion with a real person, Ernest Hemingway did in fact proffer this solution to the "Shortest Possible Story." and later cited it as the finest piece of writing he had ever created.
- ROU Killing Time
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I was hoping to influence the thread in that direction, by dangling my post as bait in front of the strange DC lifeforms.
Okay, some babies prefer bare feet. What else?
Okay, some babies prefer bare feet. What else?
Never judge anyone until you have biopsied their brain.
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am
"Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle."
Known Some Call Is Air Am
Spoiler:
- Mr. Tweedy
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- ROU Killing Time
- Notorious Forum Hog
- Posts: 4253
- Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:07 pm
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