 Short Stories: March 21, 2007 Issue [#1604] |
  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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Howdy, I decided to try something a bit different for me in this newsletter. I'm going to give you some short story writing tips and ask you to write me a story using those tips effectively. The best story earns a writing merit badge.
Vivian
Next week's editor will be kiyasama
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Write Me a Story
We won't address all the components required in a complete short story, such as correct grammar and spelling, but those should be givens, automatically expected and used. The parts I want to focus on are plot, characters, setting, and dialogue.
Plot: A well-written story of any kind will have a plot, a story line, that leads a reader from a beginning through a conflict (internal or external or combination), to a climax (turning point or high point of the story), and to an end or resolution. In a short story, due to word restraints, more than one plot would overload the story. Therefore, multiple plots, whether minor or major, should be left for novellas and novels.
Characters: Every story requires at least one character, but two are needed to build a real conflict. A character can be human or non-human or even inanimate (example, the mountain a man battles might be the inanimate character in a story). An important tip regarding creating a strong character is to make the character "rounded" rather than "flat." A round character isn't all good or all bad; different facets of his/her/it's personality are shown. Using the mountain as an example again, the beauty of the mountain as well as its dangers are portrayed. A protagonist has flaws as well as strengths, but usually the strengths are predominant. A villain may be shown to have reasons for his/her villainy, even if those reasons aren't accepted by society as valid. A writer needs to make characters "live," make them believable.
Setting: Where and when a story takes place is important, more important in some stories than in others; but the setting details should be woven into the story. If it's important for the reader to know that the story takes place in the 1930's, that information can be revealed by the styles of clothing or a character picking up a newspaper or someone asking another person what the date is. If all the reader needs to know is that the story takes place in relatively modern times, then the fact that telephones, computers, and/or automobiles are used gives enough information. As far as where the story occurs, unless the exact location is required, then it may not have to be given. Knowing that a character is hiding in a closet and in what building may be all that is needed, not the city and state where the building is where the closet is.
Dialogue: Dialogue, or conversation, is important to "show" not "tell" a story. Internal dialogue helps cover needed information in a more interesting way than simply writing exposition. Dialogue, like anything else in a story, should be realistic, believable, but it can, and should, move a story forward. For example, if the author wanted the reader to know that Mary is afraid of spiders. He could write that Mary is afraid of spiders, or he could use dialogue and action.
Mary frowned at her brother who stood just outside the door in the hall. "You're such a pig. Look at this room, filthy." She grabbed a pile of clothes off the floor before emitting a shrill scream, throwing the clothes, which flew in all directions.
"What's wrong?" Jason demanded, as he rushed into the room. "Are you okay?"
Mary tried to speak, but though her mouth moved, nothing but squeaks sounded. She pointed to a small dark spot on the floor.
Moving closer to the area of revealed floor, Jason reached down and picked up the dark item. "For goodness sakes, Mary, it's only a spider." He opened the window and threw the arachnid outside. "When are you going to get over being such a baby?"
Assignment: Focusing on plot, characters, setting, and dialogue, write a short story of not more than 2,000 words (I'll accept a few over, but not many) and of at least 1,000 words. I would like a polished story with good grammar, spelling, and structure, please. Send a bitem link for the finished story to me in an email. The best story will receive a merit badge.
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A Few Words from Our Readers
Strange Wulf 
Hmm... I'll have to save this NL. I think it'd probably be best if I submit to some contests. Quick way to tell if I've got the stuff.
I'm taking my own advice and entering contests, too.
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Boowriter
Hello Viv,
Do you know of any song lyric contests? I write a lot of poems that could be turned into songs (I think).
Thank you,
Cathy Farmer
Boowriter
I'd suggest you look in some music magazines for possible lyric contests. Personally, I don't know of any, sorry.
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Brother Don
Viv, thanks for a good newsletter. I have never tried entering contests, but it does sound like a good thing to try. Perhaps in the not-too-distant future. I am feeling better now and am trying to get back to a daily work schedule. Keep up your good work, we all appreciate it.
Brother Don
Hi, Don. I'm glad to hear you're doing better and am glad to know you're thinking of trying contests.
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bazilbob
Thanks a lot for the newsletter on contests, it's great advice.
You're welcome. I'm glad you found the advice helpful.
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Turkey DrumStik 
Hey, Viv! For aspiring writers in college, they should also check their English departments to see if they hold creative writing contests. I'm not sure how it works elsewhere, but I know at Florida International University (FIU) the contest does offer cash prizes ($50-$25) for winning and honorable mentions. The prizes may seem small, but they might be better than initial publishing royalties.
Great idea, Elisa. I'd forgotten about those, and most colleges/universities do have creative writing contests.
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harryestoddard
Thanks you for including my story in the newsletter.
You're most welcome.
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Mavis Moog
Thank you for highlighting {item:1161788 }. I love reading all the entries, and you're right, contests are a good way to test the waters.
I review every entry, so even if a story doesn't win, I hope the author will feel she/he gains something from the exercise, even if it is just my expert opinion.
I was glad to highlight your contest. I like well presented, well run contests.
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donprescott
Thanks for highlighting my story "What Now?" in this issue. I agree with using contests as testing beds for honing stories, great advice for everyone. "Invalid Item" is such a story that won the Writer's Journal Write to Win contest (Sep-Oct Issue).
Also, I did a product review on TextAloud that you might find interesting or fodder for a newsletter topic. It has become an indispensable editing tool in my writing kit.
Take care,
Don
I was glad to highlight your story. Thank you for sharing with us that you have a story that won that contest, helps us see the possibilities.
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Moody Blue: Needs an Upgrade
Thank you, Miss Vivan, for putting my contest in your latest newletter. It was a pleaseant surprise. The story "Invalid Item" won third in Mixed Genres.
Congratulations!
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Until next time, I hope you have interesting stories to read and write.
And don't forget to email a bitem link for your story.
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