glberen – I think the brevity of Joe’s work creates a whole different experience than what we’ve come to call “flash fiction,” work like Greg’s or D. Barthelme (two writers I sincerely admire). Their work flips something in me and sends me into this new space that is left fuzzy at the edges; it creates a reader’s narrative exploration – some of my favorite type of writing. Joe’s work and its quickness, to use Calvino’s term, feels more like Flaubert’s aphorisms or Ashbery’s lines in the Vermont Notebook. The language is fairly (not completely) simple, and you’re left asking, “Where’d I just go? – let me go back and see how I got there – wait, where’d I just come from?”

These little stories hit like Mack trucks.

That’s a good point about the novel starting with a small question and finishing on a larger. To some degree most do, but in the meantime, it’s rare for them to leave the questions unanswered. I think microfiction leaves these things unresolved for the most part. I’m torn between declaring this bad or good. I think it largely depends on the force of the words. The fictions quoted above have plenty of punch and perhaps extend their life by that force. I’d have just passed over this post without comment otherwise. I’d have not started thinking about these things.

Seems like they will function primarily on poetic levels. It’s the imagery and energetic language of the quoted fictions above that carry them for me.

I know I’m talking out my ass now. I haven’t read the book or much microfiction at all. But I will. Thanks for the post. You’ve introduced me to a new author. I’ll read Mr. Young’s book and see how I am altered by those words.

Definitely. I think those are all valid questions. Scott Garson’s Gymnopedies are another set of micros coming out soon. Some are on the web already. http://artvoice.com/issues/v8n27/literary_buffalo/flash_fiction#SlideFrame_1

Fiction can just present to, I would guess. Like a patient presenting symptoms. And poetry presents images. One of the most famous short poems ‘The Red Wheelbarrow’ comes to mind. I’m reminding of Paula Fox saying about novels that a good novel begins with a small question and ends with a bigger one. That seems to happen in these micros too. In ‘The Willful Child’ I think about those things she is sorry that she’s done and inevitably I think of my own life, what I’m sorry for. In this instance, I’m reminded to be tender and not take things for granted. It’s like the author has communicated to me through this parable, because if I saw him on the street and he said, “Don’t take things for granted” I would probably shrug it off, but with the story, I see the result. This reminds me of Jesus needing to speak in parables to get his message out. The most famous micro-fictions of all!!!

John, Chris – enjoy, yeah.

Is a fiction that elicits only and forgoes resolution a sustainable form? I wonder if microfiction is mere teasing, a flirt without the guts to go all the way?

Or is this what all good fiction does, no matter the length? I’m not sure. The first words from my fingers are no, good fiction also resolves or at least moves. I’m not sure there’s movement here or perhaps it’s so subtle a movement that I have trouble witnessing it. Is emotional evocation enough? Is it enough for modern minds?

I’m not dissing Mr. Young’s work, nor microfiction in general. I’m curious. I was quite intrigued by what I read here. The brevity swells the power perhaps. Thanks for sharing it.