Pathways to Short Story Writing

                         Pathways to Short Story Writing

Dr Abe V Rotor

 “We must have something to cling to.  Some things must not change.” Message of Dr Arturo B Rotor, 5 years before he died at the age of 80 in 1988. 

Short story writer, Dr AB Rotor, author of Dance-Music, Men who Play God, Twilight's Convict, Zita, Dahong Palay. A medical doctor and first Filipino allergist, he discovered a liver dysfunction named after him, Rotor Syndrome. He served as executive secretary of Presidents Quezon and Osmeña during the WWII era.

Writing a short story is difficult to start even if the plot is already in the writer's mind. It is like writing the lead paragraph of a news. But in literature it is not the punch the news writer delivers to pin down the interest of his reader, thereafter guiding the news to diminish progressively to its end. No, not in a short story.

Rather, the start is unveiling, the opening of the curtain, and there on the stage are revealed the characters, setting and mood, which accompany the start of the story. From here, the plot builds into climax, and climax peaks to suspense, then settling down into a feeling of exhilaration or surrender, often concluding to enlightenment and fulfillment. At least this is how a classical piece of literature starts, proceeds, sustains and ends. Dr Arturo B Rotor Memorial awards for literature

 Take it from a unique story teller, winner of the Republic Heritage Award for literature. To wit:

 "Garden in the starlight, and fragrance almost luminous. In that garden the camia and gardenia gave a pale glimmer, a sheen which seemed to diffuse a steady glow; in the garden, now touching to silver a cloud atop the trees, now starting a silver shower pattering on the leaves below, the starlight brought with it perfume of far spaces heavy, and sad, like the essence of something forgotten. By the restless fountain a young girl was sobbing because her heart was broken, because her heart was broken. " (From Dance-Music by Dr Arturo B Rotor, Pathways to Philippine Literature in English by Arturo G Roseburg, Phoenix Press 1958)

 When I first read this story, I wanted to sketch this starting paragraph. The imagery is vivid and clear. It is challenging. It is compelling. This is how an artist satiates curiosity. And curiosity leads to discovery. Why the great literary pieces are rich and flowing with imagery! Take the first paragraph of The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893).  To wit: 

“She was one of those pretty and charming girls born, as though fate had blundered over her, into a family of artisans. She had no marriage portion, no expectations, no means of getting known, understood, loved, and wedded by a man of wealth and distinction; and she let herself be married off to a little clerk in the Ministry of Education."

Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant  was a French writer, remembered as a master of the short story form, and as a representative of the naturalist school of writers, who depicted human lives and destinies

Here the imagery is about the principal character, a woman who is introduced in a manner as to fit the setting of the story and the role she will play throughout the story. It is this first paragraph that gives an aura of a simpleton easily a victim of the trappings of capriciousness. The writer demonstrates a skill beyond just the art of writing, but in analyzing human nature.

I like the beginning paragraph of Bliss by Katherine Mansfield. To wit.

"Although Bertha Young was thirty, she still had moments like this when she wanted to run instead of walk, to take dancing steps on and off the pavement, to bowl a hoop, to throw something up in the air and catch it again, or to stand still and laugh at - nothing - at nothing, simply." (Bliss, Catherine Mansfield,1888-1923)

Kathleen Mansfield Murry was a prominent New Zealand modernist short story writer under the pen name of Katherine Mansfield. 

Beautiful, isn't? To start a story about a woman, the main character of the story. With this beginning description, the reader is led to the subject in focus and how she is going to relate with the title, Bliss. Is she potentially the person to enjoy life? That lies ahead of going to a woman going past her age? Would Bertha realize her dreams after all? So, the start of the story gains immediate momentum - which is very important in a short story - or novel or essay.

Here is the beginning paragraph of The Happy Prince, one of the popular story stories written by Oscar Wilde. What does the beginning of the story imply?  The little prince it seems is venerated, but why is his monument placed "high above the city?" 

"High above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince.  He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on his sword-hilt."  

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, and poet.

 Well, the answer is that the little prince had died but he is still on the guard over the city.  He could see everything from his pedestal, so that he was aware of the conditions of the people especially the poor.  And he wanted to help them. But how?   

Anton Chekhov's monument in Ukraine

I have chosen one of Chekhov's favorite short stories. The Bet is about two men who agreed to a bet. Two million rupees is the prize offered by the older fellow, a banker, to the younger man, a journalist - if he can outlive solitary confinement. The challenge arose from a discussion on which is better, capital punishment or life imprisonment? The idealistic, younger fellow took the latter argument.

What happened to the journalist who took the challenge to live in solitary confinement - not only for five years as earlier offered, but on his own volition, for fifteen years?

Here towards the end of the 15th year with certainty of winning the bet, the "prisoner" prepared for his prize money and freedom, wrote a letter for his opponent-benefactor to read. To quote:

"Tomorrow at twelve o’clock I regain my freedom and the right to associate with other men, but before I leave this room and see the sunshine, I think it is necessary to say a few words to you. With a clear conscience I tell you, as before God, who beholds me, that I despise freedom and life and health, and all that your books call the good things of the world.

“Your books have given me wisdom. All the unresting thought of man has in the ages is compressed into a small compass in my brain. I know that I am wiser than all of you…. 

“And I despise your books, I despise wisdom and the blessings of this world. It is all worthless, illusory and deceptive, like a mirage. You may be proud, wise and fine, but death will wipe you of the face of the earth… To prove to you in action how I despise all that you live by, I renounce the two million of which I once dreamt as of paradise and which I now despise."

A few minutes before the agreed time of freedom, the journalist surreptitiously left his cell to nowhere, and without anyone's knowledge, thereafter. The banker wept after reading the letter, which only he alone read, after which he locked it in his safe.

One may ask how a writer, like Chekhov, can develop a theme of such passion at the border of sanity and reality? It is a kind that gives less importance to style and technique, which is often the hindrance to attempts in literary writing. Here is an example of "substance first, before technique."

Well, it is said that to appreciate a piece of art, one must know the artist. So is in the case of a short story.

Anton Chekhov (1864-1904) Russian writer, wrote hundreds of short stories and numerous plays. The elements of melancholy, loneliness, and futility that pervade Chekhov’s works are tempered by touches of humor and gentle irony. He emphasized mood rather than plot, and realistic rather than a romantic treatment of life. He once wrote to his brother, “Don’t invent sufferings which you have not experienced …”

The singer and his song, the writer and his story. The creator and his work are inseparable in classic works. Anton Chekhov and his short stories and plays are among the world's literary masterpieces. Likewise, Vincent Van Gogh and his paintings opened a school later called expressionism. So with Jose Rizal and his novels - Noli and Fili - which are heroic expressions of genius in the greatest hour.

Now is the time to start writing a short story. Try it. Discover your talent. Write the beginning paragraph of the story you have in mind. You will be glad you found yourself a writer. ~

ANNEX (Excerpt)
PCP Foundation Launches the Dr. Arturo B. Rotor Memorial Awards for Literature

  

The Philippine College of Physicians Foundation, Inc. launched the first literary awards for Internal Medicine specialists, the Dr. Arturo B. Rotor Memorial Awards for Literature, last March 1, 2022. (On its 4th year, 2025) 

The Rotor Literary Awards was established to commemorate a notable PCP member, Dr. Arturo B. Rotor, who led an exceptional and inspirational life. Dr. Rotor was an outstanding physician who was the first to discover the “Rotor Syndrome.” Aside from his contributions in the medical field, Dr. Rotor was also an excellent writer who was awarded the Republic Heritage Award in 1966. He leaves behind a rich legacy on which the College can draw inspiration and guidance. Through this program, the PCP Foundation envisions to further cultivate the heart and soul of Internal Medicine practice.

For more details, please contact

0917 654 8710 secretariat@pcpfoundation.com

Units 2201-2203, 22nd Floor, One San Miguel Avenue Building, San Miguel Avenue corner Shaw boulevard, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 

Philippine College of Physicians Foundation is the social service arm of Philippine College of Physicians. Founded in 2008, PCP Foundation values social service and envisions a healthier Filipino nation through partnerships to co-create health-centric innovative solutions.

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