What Are Nifty Stories?
Posted 09/29/09
When I was a kid, I often heard the word "nifty" in reference to things like fancy cars and outrageous fashion. It was a word that meant a variety of things, all of them good and attractive. As I grew older I heard the word being used in a wider range of topics: a nifty song, a nifty concert, a nifty evening out. Even later, the word took on a more cultured definition in reference to poems, books, and, of course, nifty stories. See more.The word seemed allusively defined, yet attractively so. However, it was only when I found myself using the word in my own description of my stories that I needed to define it. Actually, I hit the books when a listener said my stories were nifty. The Merriam/Webster Dictionary definition states: "very good, very attractive," etymology unknown, originally used in 1865. The standard reference Compact Oxford Dictionary states: "particularly good, effective, or stylish." Find more here.
So how do I define nifty stories? The stories I tell always have a message, a lesson, a bit of perspective, and they are, indeed, particularly good and rather effective at making their point. They are a blend of entertainment and education, or what some call "edutainment." There needs to be a message beyond a witty punch line.
Nifty stories are stories that teach. Nifty stories appeal to a broad audience. Nifty stories travel beyond the culture from which they originate. Nifty stories are always "stylish," regardless of the era that spawned them. Stories such as these hold the listener's attention long enough to send their message effectively. Any stories of worth are nifty stories. You can find great nifty stories on www.Jaystetzer.com See more.
