Whenever we teach workshops with new students, I get reminded of a myth that exists among writers: There is such a thing as a perfect short story. To the beginning writer, the perfect short story is a story that will sell to every editor every time. To the sparsely published writer, the idea is a bit more complicated. Someday the sparsely published writer will achieve such a level of perfection that every story will sell on the first time in the mail. To the established writer, the perfect short story will win every award in the field and will be universally loved. Or if you’re a novelist, then the perfect novel will be the Great American Novel, discussed in every “important” venue. Or it will win the Pulitzer. Or it … Read entire article »