Conflicted over conflicts · 5:12am May 25th, 2014
I've been getting many complaints regarding Tough Stains, the most prominent being the lack of conflict to drive the story, along with a lack of proper resolution. There have even been a few comments questioning whether there even was a story at all.
Understandable grievances, valid complaints, and all soul crushing. I'm seriously too sensitive for this line of work, but that's beside the point.
One of my biggest influences in writing is Katherine Mansfield, a short story writer of the Modernist era. Half of you are probably rolling your eyes right know, you know where this is going. See, when you're writing short stories, you are essentially throwing your audience in the middle of the story. The reader has to build the beginning by themselves based on the clues provided. In a way, the reader is writing the story as they read. The thing about short stories, especially Modernist ones, is that their endings tend to be a little ambiguous and sometimes completely lack a resolution. Consider the nouvelle, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, which ends with cotton fields burning, children crying, and the fate of a black boy caught right in the middle of it all left in the hands of a white jury. Consider Mansfield's story Pictures, which ends with the singer walking away with a man's house after failing to find work.
The problems are never outwardly stated. We're never told that the singer actually resorts to prostitution. And we never know if she truly abandons her dreams simply just to live. We have to figure that out ourselves, and that's what I was trying to go for, to provide enough hints to show that Spike was suffering because of his relationship with a Rainbow Dash. His eagerness for her return, his sacrifices he made, his outburst in front of Twilight, the drinking, all the attention he placed toward the picture of her and the rest of the Wonderbolts...according to the comments, I must have failed. I assumed too much and implied too much. The lack of resolution and apparent conflict distracted readers from trying to interpret what the underlying issue was, or what the lack of resolution meant.
Many of my stories follow this pattern, though some have been met with a warmer reception. What was the conflict behind Temporary Hiatus? Or Patience, She Said? Or A Grove of Diamonds. Or The Dragon Who Would Not Sleep? Their resolutions?
I apologize for all the confusion, but if Tough Stains, or any of the aforementioned titles (which I recommend; go ahead, they're all short stories too, it won't take long) made you think in any way, be it out of discomfort or a discovery of a theme, then I'm glad. I'm glad if you enjoyed my story, more so if it forced some reflection.
It might just be phase. I've just been reading a lot of Mansfield's work for school. Maybe next time I'll write something similar to Cloud Atlas.
Well I just want to say I enjoyed it. I saw it as a true Slice of life story. Every event in ones life isn't dramatic or deep. Sometime it is the simple everyday things that make the most interesting stories. I like this story because it felt like i took a glimpse into the married life of Spike and Dash. It made me want to see more of these two and their life. So all I have to say is great job and I enjoyed your work kind sir.
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Thank you. I doubt this story will ever be featured on EqD or even receive a Twilight's Stamp of Approval, but knowing that someone enjoyed it makes it all worth it.
Hey again, Mess!
I was among those who had criticisms about your story, and I'm honestly gonna stick by them, but I don't want you to think for a second that I didn't enjoy the story, 'cuz I did, immensely. I know that in my comment my criticisms were longer than my compliments and that I don't disagree with those that had similar criticisms, but I still personally liked your story more than the criticisms I have for it.
And that's my two cents on that! I wish ya all the best!
So emotional turmoil is not enough of a conflict to be a story? Or an ending can't be ambiguous and left open? I'm sorry, I don't usually say this, but that is stupid, just rage-enducingly stupid.
Not every story is going to have a happy ending, not every story is going to answer every little question, and not every story is going to spoon feed the readers every last detail. The truth is this: some stories are actually going to require the reader to think a bit (shocking, I know), and then its about what the reader takes away from it all. If all they take away from this is "there's not enough conflict" or "I didn't like the ending", then they can go read some mindless shipping fluff then.
Look, I think your a great writer, one of the betters on this site, and I believe you have achieved what many writers (myself included) strive for: subtlety. You're never ham-fisted with your message, and that's what I love about your stories. You stay classy, and you keep writing.
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And like I said, your criticisms are completely understandable and valid, and I'm happy you still managed to enjoy the story despite its issues.
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Thanks
You must be reading a different comment stream than me, because from where I stand, sentiments are split down the middle with the possible exception of a few people who just upvoted Jake's response 'cause they didn't want to repeat what he said.
And that's fine and fair. You plays this game, you takes your chances. You're going to have readers who get your stuff, and some who don't. Some people groove to stories where everything is spelled out, or there is a clear beginning/middle/end or where they can visibly see the Chekov's Guns or whatever. Some, meanwhile, see a simple painted picture and can speculate the universe from it. It takes all kinds.
But there are too many people here who like to think of writing technique as a zero-sum game. Avoiding that is the best thing you can do for yourself as a writer. The other best thing you can do is take in all the feedback, and decide what you want to experiment with when you write your next story. Do you want to write something more traditional, or work on your craft so that you're still subtle but a little less guarded?
From someone who also writes mainly to have readers' imaginations go into overdrive via subtle implications, I have to say I respected and adored your style here. It actually reminded me of the works of one of my dearest friends, and by the end of it all I wanted to give Spike the biggest sympathy cuddle ever. But your delivery was not for everyone. I get no less than a half-dozen "wait, so what actually happened I don't get it"s on most of my stories, but most do get it -- and get their minds blown in the process.
So yeah, you didn't "fail." You just didn't manage to please everyone. Welcome to writing for the public. It's terrible. Now keep going.
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Hey now, shipping can be plenty mindful! Though it's also not often known for its conflict.
I enjoy short stories. I enjoy your works because you are rather exceptional at writing short stories.
I'd like to note that, in my opinion, none of your stories are 'great' per se. I have used this line of reasoning on one other story, and the comment was rather long and meant to be humorous, but I am being absolutely serious when I say that your stories are simply 'nice'.
And that is what I love about them. I need a nice story every once in a while. Not a soul crushing story, or a grim, heartless story, or a gut-busting comedy. Sometimes just reading a story which is a nice, comforting, relaxing read is an experience in and of itself. And you consistently write these nice stories. I have yet to read this latest story, but I intend to. I intend to because I am sure that it will be yet another nice story.
So, keep up the
goodnice work, man.The problem with the story wasn't the lack of conflit or the ending. It was slice of life. Your story fits well in it. I also must say that I lovedthat you didn't even make Spike think of RD cheating on him (not even after Twi mentioned that Rainbow would have to spend a month at another dude's house). I love when a couple is portrayed to trust each other instead of being jealous for the sake of cheap conflitct.
My sole problem with it was that Twilight scene. I mean, how about she just keep her mouth shut instead of torturing Spike? "I won't tell her if you won't?" then why even tell him? It sounded like she wanted to throw the responsability of a international problem over Spike's shoulders, when she was the one to bear with it.
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I can live with nice. I might explode if someone called me great.
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It was suppose to demonstrate how each person in a marriage has a significant responsibility over the other. In strictly traditional terms, marriage is the joining of two lives together as one. Spike, as the husband, has more responsibility regarding Rainbow's health and happiness than Twilight, as a friend, does. Thus, she trusts Spike to make the best decision for Rainbow because she believes Spike will know best.
Of course, I suppose even with that in consideration the scene is still pretty weak.
My response is on the story itself. I loved it. Subtlety is one of the things that I as a writer strive to achieve.
But people are picky. They look for resolved conflicts instead of the symbolism and meaning behind everything.
Don't fret the criticism, though. I know just how it feels, but all you need to do is remember that this is a learning experience. Take what you will from the critics and move on.
I can understand that the interpretation is very important and it's what you intend in the story. I didn't understand at first, in that perspective, so I apologize if my first comment sounded a bit rude. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed your story and now even more with the new perspective , I was just very curious with that question haha
but really don't feel bad for the comments because if that's the way you like to write well let it be. I will look forward more storys from you 
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^^ This guy! This guy, right here!
His comment explained my feelings far better than my own attempt in the comments.
The story was subtle, and unfortunately there are a lot of people here who do not like subtle stories. Or stories open to interpretation.
Your story is not a failure by any metric, it has a good number of likes compared to dislikes and number of views. It just didn't satisfy everyone, but as Bookish Delight said, you won't satisfy everyone. It happens. Keep on writing, and we'll keep on reading.