 Short Stories: May 02, 2007 Issue [#1688] |
  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Leger~  
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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~ |
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HINT HINT HINT
In stories, foreshadowing is giving hints about upcoming events. It is an old literary device to hint about things to come in plot development. Sometimes authors use "red herrings", especially in mystery writing. A red herring is a false clue, to lead readers in the wrong direction. Foreshadowing is often written at the end of a chapter or scene.
I like to think of foreshadowing as something like setting up a treasure hunt. I lay out little clues, scattering them in my story, just waiting for an attentive reader to pick up on them. If they pay attention, the story becomes richer with anticipation. Suspense and anticipation keeps your reader involved in your plot and interesting in reading more.
Foreshadowing doesn't have to be a blatant sentence stuck smack dab in the middle of your work. Work it in! A sky clouding up could be a clue of a darkening plot. A dripping faucet could preclude a flood. The sound of a car idling in the background could hint about an upcoming drive-by shooting. Your clues can involve all the senses. Think about working in this device when writing your story. One of the questions I ask myself when reaching the end of a scene or chapter is "What happens next?".
Next is a discussion about segues.  Segue literally means transition. The smoother the transition, the easier it is for your reader to keep moving and stick with the plot. Segues are an important element in short stories to keep them short. Not every character, emotion, or bit of information needs to be developed. A single sentence moving your reader to the next chapter and preparing them for a new scene can be sufficient. Moving smoothly from a story scene or sequel is important. If you don't move to another scene smoothly and just move abruptly, it is called a jump-cut.
Jump-cuts can also useful. A jump-cut is when you skip interim action and flip right into a new scene or new spot in your time line. This is a case where sometimes "tell" can be better than "show". A jump-cut keeps the pace and high action moving. Be careful not to jar your reader with a jump-cut. Use transitional phrases to clue your reader to where they've landed. 
These devices are used all the time in writing. Sometimes you, as a reader, won't even notice them. But as a writer, think about the tools you have in your arsenal and use them. You'll become a more effective writer and your story will become smoother and a better read.
Now I have a request for the Short Story Newsletter readers. I'm always trying to come up with interesting topics to write about. How about some suggestions?
I promise to consider all suggestions and research the ones I choose to write about. Thanks!
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Excerpt: The music she played was beautiful, and deadly. The notes came out clear and sharp, a violin among the death. Men’s war hardened cries struck less fear than her fine oak bow.
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Excerpt: Marcie’s eyes flicked open but the darkness rendered it impossible to work out where she was. Exposed limbs and the cold wall behind her aching back forced her to acknowledge it definitely wasn’t at home in bed. The stillness of the air confirmed she was not outside, but a penetrating chill added force to the tremors she was having difficulty controlling.
Excerpt: There I sat in my wrinkled dress, tangled red hair, and dirty face, and watched my family from a distance. I then told myself, “I feel like I am useless. All I do all day is watch. I am bored sitting here. All of the other girls my age are working with their families. Why can’t I help?”
Excerpt: Ted wondered dimly when he’d get a bite of the corpse.
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Excerpt: “Ironically, jogging is supposed to extend life...”
“Tell me about it.” I replied.
Excerpt: The roar of the cannons echoing in the narrow harbor, the dark pirate ship drew near the foundering English frigate. Ferocious pirates lined the rail ready for boarding, the ships nearly colliding in the billowing smoke.
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Excerpt: "I'm bored," sighed Princess Sophie as she looked through the castle window. Warm sunlight was streaming through the window, the breeze was sifting through the trees and bluebirds were flying around inviting Sophie to go outside and take in the fresh warm air.
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Excerpt: The crowd in Jocko’s was larger than usual. For the last two weeks it had been steadily growing. Spam figured that the stacked siren whispering out the torch song had something to do with Jocko’s increasing popularity.
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This month's question: What are some of your favorite writing devices?
Last month's question: How do you keep your stories fresh, exciting and compelling?
Replies;
Lornda  : I write funny short stories (try too!) based on the true antics of my family so that is what keeps it fresh. So, many different personalities to write about. Thanks for your hard work.
writeone  : I'm not really certain that my stories are fresh, compelling, or exciting. I simply write to see what happens. One way I deviate, is I try to write with a different narrator each time. I still use my own style, I just alter it to fit in with the person who is actually telling the story. I wrote a story from the POV of a dead, African American baby; and another from the POV of an elderly man - neither of which I am. It made me reach to conquer that line of disbelief. And then the crucial step - getting an elderly man to read it and see if it is plausible. I couldn't find any dead, African American babies, so I struck out on that one, but the story still works. Get out of yourself and write. With you out of the way, the story can continue. Thanks for the newsletter!
Jay Bingham : I'm not sure I agree that a story needs to have "all the loose ends wrapped up" and leave readers "knowing what will happen to the characters after they leave the story." Part of good story telling is helping people use their own imaginations. What better way to do that than to leave part of the story untold? You're not "leaving your readers hanging." You're inviting them to imagine the rest of the story on their own. If done well, it can be a good thing.
Comments:
billwilcox: An exceptional newsletter, Leger. Hooks, suspense, action, dialogue, all make for a great page-turner. Thanks for sharing...
Lornda : Enjoyed your newsletter. I learned a lot of tips and I like the way you presented it.
likenion: I am grateful that you have made these criteria clear. although I know that these elements are important sometimes I lose track of them and making them so clear, because now I can see them neatly listed. Thank you for that! also this is great to help new writers hone their skills, as the purpose of this newsletter suggests. also these stories, which I'll read eventually must be very helpful. great job.
alicengoreland: I love that you always have stories from all kinds of genres and do not care what color their cases are. The best part is that you pull out something from the story. You show why you thought it was worth reading. Nice touch.
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