 Short Stories: April 28, 2021 Issue [#10742] |
This week: Building Character Edited by: Leger~  
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This week's Short Story Editor
Leger~ |
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Building Character
Many of you have extra time on your hands. Less time commuting, less time running errands, all of it adds up to a little bonus of time here and there. Many people are not taking vacations this year, opting for safer staycations. Right now, things might be a little chaotic at home and you're finding it hard to write.
I have a suggestion. Grab a few minutes here and there and build some characters. I know I have a few stumbling around in my head and I'm always afraid I'll lose that awesome image. If you don't have any hitchhikers in your brain, look through some images online. Save a few that appeal to your muse. Then while looking at one, think about the type of character the person (or creature) might be and do some free writing about that character.
Would it be a protagonist, the main character of your story? The deuteragonist, your trusty sidekick for the antagonist? Or is it the antagonist, causing conflict and whose specialty is getting in the way. Then there's my favorite, the tertiary character, the quirky and sometimes troublesome person that drops in and out of the story.
While you don't want to copy the exact image you're looking at, since that is someone else's work, use that image to inspire your own character. Describe them, list words that will give them life and breath. They don't have to look exactly like Bilbo Baggins for example, but think about features that would help your reader imagine a deeper persona. Because even in short stories, you don't want your characters to be flat and boring. And if you're restricted by word count, your image word choices are important.
Now you'll have some ready built and more complex characters to plug into the story, without having to slow down and think about a character that is only minimally important to your storyline. They could be cousins, shopkeepers, river boat captains, right? Plus while you're having fun building these characters, I'm willing to bet a new story will pop into your head. So make room for ideas, and as always, Write On!
This month's question: Do you have any ready-made characters in your head? Send in your answer below!  Editors love feedback! |
Great prizes!
Excerpt: The next evening as the sun began his journey to the world beyond, the boy returned to the hill with his young sister. The old story teller was there, as she always was, hidden away from the world among the tall green summer grass and broken grey-white marble pillars. Watching as the boy and his sister climbed, pleased to have him near again.
| | | Ugly (E)
A dreadful revelation for a wandering troll
#2194173 by Beholden  |
Excerpt: Even for a troll, Grubmuncher was ugly. So ugly, indeed, that the other trolls shunned his company. In time, he was forced from society.
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2248403 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: Retired Captain Willy Rogers picked up the ringing phone and couldn't believe what he heard, "The Raven? Can't be; they scrapped her years ago."
An Admiralty Department voice assured him it was still afloat, but it blocked a busy ship channel.
Excerpt: In fairness to ourselves, Roy was nothing like how we’d imagined a hawker would look, in his crisp white linen suit, topped with the most dazzlingly white flashing smile Herself had ever swooned over. And I ask you, what kind of beggar have you ever come across who carries a clipboard emblazoned with what looks like a Tourist Board logo (especially when you see it upside down), enquires earnestly if you’re enjoying your holiday and actually seems interested enough to jot down your answers?
Excerpt: I hadn’t seen Dad in a while, as I only visited every other weekend. He had the same curly black hair, scruffy beard, and he wore his typical dark blue jeans and band t-shirt. It felt so good to hug him again. After our warm greeting, we headed inside to eat. Upon entering the house, the air permeated with the smell of herbs and spices. We were all in for a treat, because Grandma was making her special sauce. The four of us sat down to eat and enjoy all of Grandma’s hard work. All through the meal Dad and I made funny faces at each other. After we overindulged on pasta, dessert was served. Grandma made her little Italian cookies with sprinkles on them. I remember eating so many I felt close to bursting. When dessert came to a close, Dad suggested that just him and I take a walk.
Excerpt: I have decided to stop letting my guilt impede my progress. How can one return lost property if there are no identifying traits, and no owner came forward to claim it? For months, I was just borrowing that violin; I never took it home, keeping it in Herr Steiner’s house. Never until today.
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2206211 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: “Who's the girl?” Asa asked.
I lifted the photo away from his grasp, as if bringing it closer would shake loose a memory. “I've never seen her before in my life.”
Excerpt: Suddenly, the helicopter stops because the hand is swatting the sky all around it. “I don’t think that they want us to come here.” “No, really! What makes you think that?” Nora asks.
Excerpt: Bumble Bear had been looking forward to his trip to the seaside with Sarah and her mummy and daddy. All the time he lay shut in Sarah’s suitcase, listening to the chug-a-chug of the train, he dreamt of eating sugary candy floss and building sandcastles with his best friend.
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This month's question: Do you have any ready-made characters in your head? Send in your answer below! Editors love feedback!
Last month's "Short Stories Newsletter (March 31, 2021)" question: What are some favorite phrases you've written?
dragonwoman  : "Trust is a fragile thing. So easily lost or broken."
Elfin Dragon-finally published : favorite phrases: "There are very few constants in the universe and one of those is that there will always be a ship named Enterprise."
bryanmchunter: "Oh, great. Where's that scary rabbit when you need him?"
Ryan McHiggins, Toddlerhood Interactive.
Kåre เลียม Enga  : Excellent question but you'd have to ask my readers or reviewers. Yes, I love it when certain phrases flow effortlessly or j j j jar.
But, I'm one of those people who write every day. By tomorrow I may have moved on to the next shiny thing. I forget.
I do like:
all hear my roar: the crack of oak,
the wrench of roof, the crash of glass,
a dog's last woof.
in "I, Katrina"
Because people get upset over the poor dog ... which is the reaction I want.
{suser:drschneider:
We can wash our dreams
in the river of life
and hang them to dry
on the horns of a crescent moon
{suser:iambride}:
"when its dark enough,
my heart makes mistakes
in a misstep I fell for you
now my hearts in a panic,
damaged by you-
and the light in the truth,
is the only reason to
lighten up"
"Lighten up"
A girl asked why my romance poetry is dark and tragic-
I told her I was gone "lighten up"...
Fyn  : "Overhead, the Canada geese were shaftless arrows shot from some instinctual bow piercing the morning sky with their raucous goodbyes."
NaNoNette  : His smirk was unbearable.
Dragonfly : She finally let go of that sad world of woulda, coulda, shoulda, which held her back.
LorenIsOneOfMyNames  : "I try not to think about it, but my father says I’m too bright to let things pass me by and too dumb not to point them out."
Kat Green, "Ides of March"
TheBusmanPoet : Complacency is not an option.
n.lea : I leave the essence of my soul in ink on the leaves of trees.
Mikel Bardsdale : ‘I'm busy beating and being beaten.’
‘Is a vandal more lawless than those who lawlessly cause them to break the law? We need an unbiased judge to hear the vandal's reason. Only he can put the right man into prison.’
‘Hurt people hurt people.’
Rehtaeh Daens : I take pride in these; I believe they're fresh and original. That said, don't take them without asking first, please. *Smile*
"A skeleton with hollow eyes and maggots feasting on my brittle bones. I sound dramatic. I’m only thirteen years old, so of course I’m dramatic."
"[The Doctor] gave me an expiration date like I was a jug of milk."
"I half-heartedly chuck a rock into the city park pond, and watch ripples disturb the algae bloom around its slow-moving edges."
"[The pond] meanders throughout the park as its amoeba-like arms stretch in off-kilter directions."
Bob : Of all the mediums I have used word pictures seem the best. It may take a week to unfold a literary canvas.
Briar Quinn  : "The girl had hair like peaches and a smile just as sweet."
I loved that line. It made me so proud.
Dr Gonzo : "Hope rides the rays of sunshine through our lives forevermore."
The Milky Way showers the ground with omnipresent light
Billions of stars in a galaxy that fills the sky at night
A cool breeze accompanies the sunshine of another glorious day
As evening chases the sunset, a never-ending game they play
I hate love...
But I don't love hate
Elphee : time, it is the most valuable thing on earth.
age, is just a number.
you are only as old as the women/men, you feel
feyre st. clair : she was the exhale of falling leaves,
and also, the thirsty ribs of winter
Anna Marie Carlson : I would like it if you could give me feedback on a favorite phrase of mine that you've liked.
tj-turkey-jobble-jobble-hard-J  : I'll share my favorite, "Reading soothes the soul, writing sets it free."
merdi: " lonely night on the terrace, thoughts of you invading my mind, silent sobs disturbing the night, and with these years I now bind...
Thank you for all your responses, it's much appreciated! Leger~ |
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