This week: The One Essential Element Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI back on Jan 4  
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| While reviewing short stories, I came across some that had it, and some that didn't. What's 'it'? |
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Dear Reader,
In the beginning, there were no Gift Points.
It's true!
When Writing Dot Com began, there were no GPs! There were only interactive stories. Yes. One item type, Interactive Stories. It was called Stories Dot Com.
From there, the website has grown. Grown in steps, grown in leaps, grown in bounds - to become the online home we know so well and love, with its 'new' name, Writing Dot Com.
I remember when giving a member's user link did not result in tagging the member. I remember when there were no tags for reviews, if you wanted to share a review you had received, you had to copy-paste the entire text. There were no group affiliations for reviews then, either. During review raids, group leaders counted reviews manually off the public pages.
There are so many, many features that have been added over the years. Those who have been on longer than I have can tell of the changes they have seen ...
And yet, one thing remains. The community spirit. We're friends, we're family, we're a team. And we're all addicted to Writing Dot Com.
Did you enjoy reading that? Why (or, possibly, why not)?
While reviewing, I've come across many short stories that have left me in complete awe of the writer's skill. This got me thinking - what did the writer do, to make me feel this way? What element was there in the story, that I responded to? I have attempted to showcase some of those in the brief story above.
So - here goes - the essential elements in a short story
1. Something old, something new
'No Gift Points' Is an old fact, which would have brought back memories for some and a gasp of surprise from others. I joined WDC when GPs were already in constant use, and couldn't imagine a time when they didn't exist. Mentioning that in my story would, hopefully, have hooked both types of readers to continue reading. It gave something to relate to.
2. Something borrowed, something blue
The emotion. Bringing out what we feel about WDC. I've borrowed from each member of the community when I've written about the friendships and the family-feeling. The true-blue sense of 'home'. So, something that gives an insight about what you have felt, seen or experiences. Something that deepens your understanding. It borrows from what you have been through, and widens the scope of that to a more universal experience. It validates an emotion you feel, or helps you understand what someone else feels.
If a picture paints a thousand words, it certainly tells a story.
Let's explore 'the most important element' in a picture.
Take a look at the image. What strikes you? Is it the action? Is it the bond the two share? Is is the physical appearance of each one, and of the tableau they create together? Is it the emotion you see on each face? Is it the startling symmetry of the arms and legs in motion? Your story could be about each of these, or something else that I haven't even noticed. It could be about a combination of these elements. Whatever spoke to you, if you put it down truthfully, it'll speak to your reader, too.
(Thanks, Alan Philps  for permission to use this image.)
And finally, I asked the community what the ONE essential element in a short story is.
At the time of writing this newsletter, the responses are:
1. Tileira A change in the character or a change in the reader's perspective. So either the character experiences some sort of revelation by the end, or the reader does when the "truth" of the story is revealed (either a plot reveal, or the reveal of a moral)
2. Schnujo's NOT Doing NaNoWriMo  I agree with Tileira. If there isn't a change in me or the character, why did I read this? lol
3. Annette  Brevity
4. Vaishali  Physical appearance description. I like to imagine the person how he/she looks if the appearance is described well.
5. WakeUpAndLive  A twist at the end.
6. Angelica Weatherby-Happy 2025 Setting. Everyone has a place to be. It would be weird to not know the place.
Yes, there needs to be some change, some evolution ... else why did the story take place? Brief, certainly, but there are various definitions of brief. I think I agree with the guideline that a short story is one that can be read in one sitting. Possibly what Annette also means is that there is no place to belabour a point or a description.
For me personally, the other three responses above could be open to interpretation. Whether these are in your face or implied, spelled out or hinted at, would depend on the style of the writer.
So - the ONE essential element?
What is it?
Give me the answer in the in-and-out or the newsletter comments section below!
Thanks for reading!
If you'd specifically like to add an 'element' you thought was left out, please feel free to add here.
If you'd like to comment on this edition of the newsletter, please give your feedback  in the section below. Feedback is always welcome! 
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Thank you for the responses to "Which story do you tell?"
Paul  I am working on a story based on a post mark I found. It’s a very early airmail cancellation and is addressed to someone in New York from England.
It seems to me you have a plethora of stories to tell. Several written from different view points based on the same post mark might be interesting. One on the history, one on getting the letter and what it influenced you to think and do, one on actually visiting the place and describing all of the feelings and thoughts. Maybe more like taking a relative or friend or just meeting someone and describe a guided tour.
I think with your very wide source of material you can generate some nice pieces. I wish you good fortune with it. Paul
An apple a day....  Love the stories of the post marks, Sonali!
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Short Stories: August 24, 2022 Issue [#11497]
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