Short Stories: December 06, 2023 Issue [#12307]
<< November 29, 2023Short Stories Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueDecember 13, 2023 >>




 This week: What's Your Finger Doing?
  Edited by: Leger~ Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

The purpose of this newsletter is to help the Writing.com short story author hone their craft and improve their skills. Along with that I would like to inform, advocate, and create new, fresh ideas for the short story author. Write to me if you have an idea you would like presented.

This week's Short Story Editor
Leger~ Author Icon


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

What's Your Finger Doing?


This newsletter is about keeping your finger on the pulse of WDC during the holiday season. While you probably don't have a lot of time to devote to your craft, it's important to stay in touch on some level.

Not only should you check the Contests page for prompts and inspiration, but take a look at The Hub too. Click Community in your left column and choose The Hub. There's a ton of info there, did you know? The Bulletin shows what site contest is currently running so you can hop over and be inspired to write and compete for big rewards.

There are also writing prompts, links to recent activity on the site and links to new items on the site. So after you check your email for great stuff like reviews and awards, take a peek at The Hub and the Community Newsfeed to see what's hopping at WDC. The holiday season offers a lot of fun going on in our community. Special contests and activities are being hosted and many themed pages inspire you to write. Even our Messenger feature has puzzles to solve and win gift points.

So, try to participate when time allows and get to know more members of our community, and find new items that might inspire you.

As always, Write On and see you next year!


This month's question: What inspires you during the holiday season? Send in your answer below! *Down* Editors love feedback!


Editor's Picks

WDC Site Contest
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Short Shots: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
Use the photo to inspire your creativity. Write a short story and win big prizes!
#1221635 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

Write a short story using the image prompt as inspiration!

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I Write in 2024 Open in new Window. (13+)
Year 12 of I Write is the last one of its kind
#2307927 by Annette Author IconMail Icon

"I Write" in 2024 challenges you to write for any writing contest or activity here on Writing.Com and review the fellow author who posted an entry in this forum right before you at least 24 times in 12 months.

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Secret Santa 2024!!! Open in new Window. (18+)
A fun way to get in the holiday spirit!
#1494614 by Leger~ Author IconMail Icon

Join in the fun of secretly gifting another member in December. Sign up by Dec 11.

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Horror Writing Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
A contest involving writing a horror story. Simple, really.
#2273172 by Santeven Quokklaus Author IconMail Icon

In Victorian England, especially through the 1800s, the Christmas ghost story was a staple of the northern winter. Of course, we only remember one - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - but there were hundreds written and printed in the cheap magazines of the day.
So, this contest is simple - write a Christmas ghost story!


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2309530 by Not Available.

Excerpt: At first, I hated my parents for leaving me and sending back this book. It was as if they went off to live their lives and posted a photo album of the trip. A sort of "they went to Wonderland and all I got was this lousy T-shirt" kind of experience. But then my parents were not normal and neither am I.

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The Living Daylights Open in new Window. (ASR)
A young girl is confronted by her doppelganger
#1315016 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: "I warned you!" she screamed. "I warned you not to go traipsing around in the fields when you have work to do!"

Sarah's mother appeared unable to contain her anger. She reached for the strap hanging by the old refrigerator.


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The Lost Years Open in new Window. (13+)
Sylvie will never find her way back, but at least she learns the truth.
#2307683 by CHRISTMAS cub-BELLS R RINGING! Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: Staring out the window of the small city bus, I shift in my seat. I haven't been out in public for quite some time. My right hand squeezes my left, but the tremors continue.

"Mommy, why is that lady shaking? Is she cold?"


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The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by SophyBells Author IconMail Icon

Enter to win 10,000 gift points each day. Challenge yourself.

 
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Rule 42 Just Won't Do Open in new Window. (E)
All tiny peeple in tiny peeple town, must always smile and never frown
#2299354 by 👼intueyLet Your Light Shine Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: "Attention! Attention! All peeples must listen. This petition is from the Queen of Tiny Peeple Town please come now, all must gather around."


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

This month's question: What inspires you during the holiday season? Send in your answer below! *Down* Editors love feedback!

Last month's "Short Stories Newsletter (November 8, 2023)Open in new Window. question: Do you consciously think of word order when writing?


Damon Nomad Author Icon: Entertaining and informative newsletter. No, I never think about the word order when writing. Well not quite, when I am drafting I think very little about word order. As I start to clean up I try and focus on this and when I get to editing I try even harder.

Lilith 🎄 Christmas Cheer Author Icon: To be honest, I only think of word order when I'm editing. Otherwise, I get distracted and lose where I was going.

Great newsletter and certainly 'food for thought'!

Elfin Dragon-finally published Author Icon: The only time I consciously think of word order when writing is when I write poetry. When I edit my stories and novels I may then consider my word choice, but I rarely consider word order.

Beholden Author Icon: Yes, I do think of word order when writing. It's the flow that matters and a lumpy or unnatural word order can ruin a piece. But I don't go by any rules. I trust that, if it sounds right to me, then it probably will to the reader (who usually isn't nearly as picky about such things as I am).

oldgreywolf on wheels Author Icon: On short-story worldbuilding: Worldbuilding is separate from story writing. If you overplan it now, you've got a consistent scenario for later use, even if it's just to be expressed in recalled memory fashion.
On planning word order: Not in the first draft (I just slop, uh, slap, ideas down); however, yes when editing and editing and editing and . . .

Thank you for your responses, they are much appreciated! Leger~

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