 Short Stories: October 17, 2007 Issue [#2006] |
  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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I spent a week in an online writing conference. I'm surprised at how much information I received, how much help and encouragement from the experts and others, and how much networking occurred.
I want to share some of the information from the conference, from other sources, and from my experience about evaluating stories.
Viv
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Critiquing Stories
Knowing what to look for when reviewing or critiquing a story also helps a writer know what to have or not have in her own work. I'm borrowing some of the information from Linda Barnett-Johnson, who headed the Long Story Short at the Muse Online Writing Conference, as well as ideas from me and from other speakers at other conferences.
One of the first ideas all editors, publishers, and true writers look for in a story is the "hook" at the beginning. If the first paragraph doesn't grab and hold the reader's attention, then the suggestion should be made for the author to rewrite, including a hook.
Another to note in the evaluation of a story is if the writing has consistency: the point of view (POV) stays the same through out. In a short story, POV changes should not confuse the reader. Is verb tense consistent, or does it change from past to present or present to past? Are sentence structures correct with correct grammar and spelling?
Does the story have a beginning, middle, and end. There should be the hook at the beginning, a conflict built by tension and shown through actions and dialogue. There needs to be a resolution of the conflict at the end of the story.
Some other areas that Barnett-Johnson uses are for the evaluator to state whether or not the story has a theme, which should be clear by the end of the story. Also she suggests that feedback can be given as to whether enough information is given about the setting, or if the reader is left wondering.
All stories have characters, whether human or not. Telling an author whether characters are believable or not helps the writer know where work is needed.
Show, don't tell is almost a mantra in writing circles, but an author needs to know if she tells too much and doesn't show enough. Lecturing, or telling, should be used seldom, if at all, in a story.
A reviewer should tell the author what she liked or disliked about a story: overuse of words took away from the story; parts were confusing; the character development resulted in added interest in the story.
The good and the bad should be covered, but the reviewer should leave the author encouraged.
This list isn't complete by any means, but it gives a good foundation for reviewing a story -- and for improving our own writing.
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Words from our Readers
SHERRI GIBSON 
Great newsletter, Viv! You're right about the "show" of a storyline. A reader should be able to envision the things relayed in a story. Imagery is a necessity.
Thanks, Sherri. I'm still learning all the nuances of showing. At the online conference I attended last week, several presenters took the art a step or two farther.
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billwilcox
Viv,
I am so excited at the prospect of reading future newsletters from you that deal with your on-line writing course. Making your story live is just good storytelling...or should I say storyshowing?
Ah, good play on words, Bill - storyshowing. That's exactly what it is.
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Celticeagle/km2007 
Hey Viv,
That is nice of you to share. I have been wanting to start a forum with essays about things I feel are important in writing. Haven't yet. Also would like to join an online writing course but am raising grand kids now and money slips aways quickly. You go girl!
Khaynne
If you could attend an online writing conference, the one I just attended last week was free, you could learn quite a bit there. The founder is taking registrations. Information can be found in the following "Invalid Item" .
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Ronis brain tumor is gone!
Vivian, this is a really interesting newsletter and can't wait to see more of these ideas!!!
Thank you. I'll be working information into this newsletter and the For Authors Newsletter.
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Sharon 
First, Viv, I'd like to thank you for sharing the tips from your writing class with us. And second, I think the "show" paragraph you wrote is a good example of "showing not telling." I think you'll do well. Thank you for the very informative article. I look forward to reading the next one.
Sharon
Next issue I'll share what the presenter had to say about my two paragraphs. He said I had the idea but pointed out some ways to make my writing tighter.
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emerin-liseli
Great suggestions and newsletter!
Thank you.
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the_little_one
I was a bit disappointed that this months Editor's Picks only chose to highlight one black case new member out of the total of six spotlighted picks?
I'm sorry you were disappointed, but I don't look at case color (or research which black cases are new members) when I'm selecting items to highlight. I look for items that go with that editorial topic. One issue may have almost all black cases highlighted. Another may have almost all yellow cases. Still another may have all blue cases. Some may have an almost equal number of each case.
The content of items is more important than who wrote them.
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Thank you for joining me this issue. I hope I was able to give some suggestions that will help you better understand evaluating other people's stories and better understand how to write your own.
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