Lecture #7: Short Stories — With Special Guest Instructor Mary Robinette Kowal

Mary Robinette discusses the fundamentals of short stories and contrasts them with novels, emphasizing the unique emotional experiences each form offers to readers. She highlights that short stories deliver a specific emotional punch, akin to watching a highlight from the Olympics, whereas novels provide a deep, immersive experience. Mary introduces the MICE Quotient as a universal organizational theory for storytelling, explaining its components (Milieu, Inquiry, Character, Event) and how they guide the structure of narratives across different lengths and genres.

Mary delves deeper into the MICE Quotient, detailing each element's narrative function. Milieu stories are driven by settings, Inquiry by questions, Character by personal transformation, and Event by external actions. She discusses how to effectively use these elements to structure a story, including the concept of 'nesting' multiple narrative threads for complexity. Mary uses 'The Wizard of Oz' as an example of a beautifully nested story, illustrating how different story elements can be layered and resolved for a cohesive narrative.

Mary transitions to a practical writing exercise, guiding the class through crafting a flash fiction piece. She outlines the importance of establishing character, setting, and genre within the first sentences to orient the reader. Assigning specific elements like genre (science fiction), a character role (jockey), and an object (coaster), Mary encourages creativity within these constraints. She emphasizes the use of sensory details and POV to bring the story's world to life, providing a framework for students to begin their own stories.

Mary introduces a formula to estimate the length of a story based on the number of characters, settings, and MICE elements it contains. This formula helps writers manage complexity and maintain focus within short stories, especially when word count is limited. She explains how each additional character, location, or narrative thread can significantly impact the overall length and structure of the story, offering a practical tool for planning and editing.

Mary explains how to construct conflict and tension through 'try-fail cycles,' a method where characters attempt to overcome obstacles but face setbacks, enhancing the story's drama. She outlines how different MICE elements suggest specific types of conflicts and provides examples of how to implement 'yes, but/no, and' techniques to create compelling narratives. This approach helps writers craft stories that keep readers engaged and invested in the characters' journeys.

In the final stages of crafting a story, Mary discusses how to bring narratives to a satisfying conclusion by resolving opened MICE elements and ensuring that the story's threads are neatly tied up. She touches on the psychological aspect of completing tasks and how shifting from introducing problems to resolving them can affect a writer's perception of progress. Mary emphasizes the importance of a try-succeed cycle in the story's climax, leading to a resolution that feels earned and fulfilling.

Mary concludes the lecture by emphasizing the significance of mirroring the story's opening in its closing, ensuring that all narrative threads are resolved, and the thematic elements come full circle. She provides practical advice on how to achieve a satisfying ending by reiterating the initial setup's who, where, and genre/mood, adjusted to reflect the story's development. Mary's final example showcases how to use this technique to leave readers with a sense of closure and satisfaction.

In the Q&A session, Mary addresses questions on adjusting story goals mid-narrative and the importance of establishing genre early on, even in longer works. She advises on thematic linking and the closure of initial goals, even if the story's direction shifts. For urban fantasy, she suggests balancing elements to signal both magic and modernity. The session ends with appreciation for Mary's insights and encouragement for the class to apply these principles to their writing.