Short Stories: November 29, 2006 Issue [#1399]
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Short Stories


 This week:
  Edited by: Vivian Author IconMail Icon
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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

         I planned on following the editorial about writing for children with one about writing for teens, but I became a dizzy dame. With my equilibrium off balance, I decided that topic should wait at least a month or two. However, I will get there.

         This week we'll just take a slight detour.



Next week's editor will be Leger~ Author Icon


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Letter from the editor

Wandering through W.Com


         As I wandered through Writing.Com looking for ideas, what to my wandering eyes should appear but tips and ideas for writing stories. Yes, some of us may be more expert than others, but the treasure trove of tips boggled my mind.

         Articles from college students, students of life, published authors, and others abound in the ports of members of the site. Some ideas are repeated from article to article, but each one holds at least one different idea, one thought that may be just what a writer needs.

         Please read the items highlighted below. Read and then review the items, letting the author know what helps you. Then search for other articles that I missed.

         None of us know everything there is to know about writing a story, so we can all learn and expand our knowledge and skills.


Editor's Picks

Writing Tips from W.Com Writers


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Eleven Points to Ponder Open in new Window. (E)
Points I've learned to ponder when writing short stories.
#958247 by FÐ Spread the Christmas Joys Author IconMail Icon

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The Elements Of Writing Short Stories- What is a short story? What's a plot? etc.
#799653 by Holly Abidi Author IconMail Icon

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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

A Few Words from Our Readers


dogfreek21
         I always knew writing for children was hard. I've always written for my own age level, and, hardly ever, if ever, would I try to write a story for someone younger. I'm always sure I don't have the intelligence level just right.
         However, one person who read my writing said he could tell it was for younger kids... okay, score one for me! I started writing a kids story and didn't even know it...

         I have the experience of telling stories to younger siblings, children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren, which helps me be a better writer for children. You just haven't had the experience, maybe, yet.


Mavis Moog Author IconMail Icon
Vivian,
         It was good to see a newsletter about writing for children. I was thinking of doing one myself. Hey ho, you beat me to it .
         One point I make is that although care should be taken to write clearly, so children can understand and follow the plot-line, the occasional big word is quite acceptable; even desirable. Children do learn from their literature, so having fun with multi-syllable words is a great way to help them stretch their vocabulary.
         In my story, "Fiery-Tail," I use this sentence, "It that you, Toadflax?" he shouted into the tenebrific void, just for fun
                              Love
                              Mavis

         Oh, stretching a child's vocabulary is good, as long as the child can figure out what words mean. Children become discouraged if the vocabulary is frustrating. Using words in a way that meaning can be understood through context, or even adding a glossary at the end, helps a child learn.
         One reason I choose this topic was the release of my juvenile book last month and the release of my first children's book coming in the spring of 2007.


SHERRI GIBSON Author IconMail Icon
         How right you are when saying that when writing a children's story that it should be written for the child instead of an adult's point of view. Excellent and informative newsletter!
                              Sherri

         Thank you, Sherri.


The Ragpicker - 8 yo relic Author IconMail Icon
         Apart from the technical aspect, you're forgetting one important thing: too many children's books are written assuming that the children are either a. juvenile bozos, or b. adults in a small body.
         Kids, of course, are both. Too many authors seem to forget that.

         I'm afraid I don't understand the point(s) you're making. What technical aspect? Are you agreeing or disagreeing that children are juvenile bozos and/or adults in small bodies? You say too many books are written assuming one or both, yet you say authors forget that. I happen not to agree that children are juvenile bozos or that they are adults in small bodies. Yes, they know and understand much more than many adults realize, but they are not adults nor bozos. If I misunderstood what you meant, I apologize.


schipperke
         Thank you for including my story in your picks. I wondered why I was getting reads/reviews of this one!

         You are most welcome. I hope the reviews were good ones.


billwilcox
         I love children! I love stories about children, for children, and with children in them. As the wicked witch from 'Hanzel and Gretal' always used to say, "Children taste good."

Ummm, I guess there is no accounting for taste. *Bigsmile*


Until next time, I hope you have interesting stories to read and write.

Sig by Damiana


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