In the world of the very small, there is no electron orbiting around the nucleus of an atom. There is only the probability of such. Then, we observe, thereby calling it into existence. When we do that, all of the other probability curves collapse. All of the other possible locations of the electron disappear.

I think writing is a lot like that. Bill Wilcox wrote the first part of his story for Train using only 77 words and then posted it to make the deadline. Those 77 words created a world of possibilities. Then, he wrote the rest of the story later and all of the other outcomes collapsed to zero. While his story was great (his always are), I have to admit that leaving a lot to my imagination early on was very appealing.

When we write, the next chapter, sentence or word is out there amongst infinite possibilities. Then we write. Then we call the outcome into existence and all other possibilities fall away to nothingness.

Maybe this is why I like short stories so much. We are forced by time or word counts to leave a lot of the story undiscovered until the reader finds it in his or her own mind.

j