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Short Stories: November 07, 2007 Issue [#2048]

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Short Stories


 This week:
  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



Letter from the editor

Should Short Stories have Chapters?


In doing a little research for one of my own projects I came up with a puzzling question. Should short stories have chapters? Since a short story is....well, short, is it feasible to use chapters? I have a few stories that nearly reach novel level (40,000+ words) and in editing, I see there's a need to break up some of the story. But where? How? Is it similar to paragraphs?

I found a smattering of advice and with all advice, I wonder if it's more opinion or actual grammar/editing rules. Here's what I found:

*Bullet* A chapter should contain 3 - 5 scenes.
*Bullet* A chapter should contain 1 event or setting.
*Bullet* A chapter should be in one point of view.

Looking back at my writing and where I chose to start chapters, I hadn't divided the story where the advice suggested. This is where I had divided them:

*Bullet* At a break in my timeline, separating a long flashback from the story.
*Bullet* Right before the break in suspense and moving to action.
*Bullet* When moving the focus of the story from one character to another.

All of the breaks felt natural and comfortable to the story but were they correct? It's hard to say. I did find some opinion that short stories shouldn't be divided into chapters at all. I'd like to hear from you, readers, and I'll post all the replies next month.

Write on!
Leger~



Editor's Picks


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1306359 by Not Available.

Excerpt: She holds the roses on her lap. The sweet smell fills her mind and adds to what all will call a perfect day. The sun sits high with only a few clouds to give contrast to the light blue sky. An ever so light breeze cools the air to comfort

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1339793 by Not Available.

Excerpt: The letter might as well have had the words DO NOT TOUCH printed in bold script across its crisp parchment. It would have had about the same effect.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1313066 by Not Available.

Excerpt: I was darned proud of my recent promotion to Petty Officer 2d Class, and I planned to impress the medical staff on Midway Island. I’d show them I was the kind of “Go to” guy who knew what’s what, a guy who has been around the block. Maximillian Fuerza knows his business. I'm a good looking guy too, if I do say so, and I stay in shape. Guys have a way of knowing, and they don't mess with me.You will never see me unshaven or with a rumpled uniform or unshined shoes.

 Deadly Music Open in new Window. (13+)
The notes came out clear and sharp, a violin among the death.
#1253918 by Bomont Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: Sara played beautiful and deadly music. The notes came out clear and sharp, a violin among the death. Men’s war-hardened cries struck less fear then her fine oak bow. Chords so deep they shook the very earth followed by ones high enough to shatter metal. A medley of disaster resonated forth. Her bow, which cut down many men itself, was covered in blood but still she played her eerie tune un-phased.

Christmas Died at Logan Open in new Window. (13+)
An FBI agent reluctantly tracks down a jaded Santa Claus in the North Pole.
#1174662 by JW Fiction Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: I remember the old days of Christmas, before the legislature renamed it to Annual Gift Holiday. Christmas cheer and Christmas spirit emanated from children's eyes as they hung their stockings by the fireplace and left milk and cookies for the universally beloved Santa Claus.

 Mind and clouds Open in new Window. (E)
Inspired by Tony MacAlpine's Empire in the sky.
#1328737 by Redsun Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: High in the sky, travels a city unhindered and strong. A fortress built by thousands and maintained by just as many. This sacred place remains this planet's solution to a better life and progress. The empire Utopolis, the great achievement.

STATIC
The Graceful Knitter Open in new Window. (18+)
A child's gift and a Mother's gratitude on Christmas eve in the desert.
#1341122 by Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈 Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: Maggie fidgeted in her metal folding chair and tugged at her yarn. The Women's Knitting Circle toiled around a battered banquet table in the basement of the Full Gospel Church, the only church in Graceful, Nevada. When Maggie first arrived in Graceful, she wondered if there was a "Partial Gospel Church" down the road, but those thoughts long ago puffed to nothingness, like the powdery motes of dust floating above the streets of the town.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1342226 by Not Available.

Excerpt: My heart beat rhythms danced at a tango as I readied the ball and placed it in front of my right foot. I pulled back my right foot and stretched it back, shaking it back and forth to steady my pounding pulse.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1342035 by Not Available.

Excerpt: Bobby was the little boy in school who always seemed to be neglected. From the time he was in Kindergarten, no one walked Bobbie to school. He loved being in his classroom and all the attention his teacher Mrs. Geeting bestowed on him. He was like a little sunflower reaching up to get a much needed drink of water and sunshine through the praise and tender care she gave him.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1337579 by Not Available.

Excerpt: have one green eye and one brown eye. The green eye sees the truth, but the brown eye sees much, much more.


 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer


This month's question: Should short stories have chapters?

Last month's question: What are some of your favorite phrases using scent that evokes emotion?


Replies:
SmokeyMtn Author IconMail Icon: This timely newsletter gave me one of those "A Ha" moments. I immediately paused in reading it and went to insert the following lines in a story I'm writing about the early days of stock car racing.

"The pastoral scents of fresh mowed hay and buttercups drifted faintly by but were soon covered by the stronger aroma of sun ripening cow patties. These, in turn, were overpowered by the smells of half-burned gas and overheated motor oil as the drivers positioned their cars."

ctrax: Great article! After all, the nose knows! Here's my favorite excerpt with the olfactory invocation:

"Kendra breathed in deeply, allowing the moist morning air tinged with the rich scent of earth fill her up."

Ashira Author IconMail Icon: Some of my favorite pharses are: the essence of his/her being lingers in the air; tendrils of whispy smoke carry the wafting aria from the mug filling me; the lucious aroma kisses my senses; the scent lay heavy in the air; the fragance floating towards me spoke of innocence.

Comments:
Turkey DrumStik Author IconMail Icon: Yay! Someone who covered smell. It really is an undertapped method of showing, and I'm glad I'm not the only one out there talking about it. *Smile* Now what I'd like to see taken on is taste. That's a toughie, but I don't think it's impossible.

Mark Author IconMail Icon: Funny, but as I was reading this issue, I realized there was an unfamiliar odor distracting my attention. When I absorbed the full context, it occured to me that this not-unpleasant emanation was the smell of success.
Thanks Mark!

Suze the Rock Chic Author IconMail Icon: Thank you so much for featuring my story in your newsletter. I really enjoyed reading about the emotional link to scents. This is a topic which is quite often overlooked and it can do so much to boost a piece of writing. Smells can also be connected with colours and memories.

animatqua: Great Newsletter! I, too, have realized the power of including this much neglected sensation in my descriptions. It's odd that so many leave it out, particularly in the Romance genre. Studies have shown just how powerful scent is to attraction.

emerin-liseli Author IconMail Icon: Lovely newsletter. I love that you featured smell because I definitely agree with you in that it's underused...which is funny because according to some studies scent is a more powerful trigger of emotion than any other sense!

billwilcox: Leger, I thought your newsletter really smelled. *Laugh*
Uh, thanks Bill *Laugh*

ftrinta: Thanks for this newsletter. I indeed use some smell in my book to make my character have an association with his hometown (so I can use the hook to throw some feedback) and also to highlight his feelings of the new place. Cheers!

collins96: Wonderful suggestion and examples. It's easy to overlook smell in your settings, and yet, as you mention, smells are some of our most powerful memory links. I have a note on top of my chapter story that I have to move in order to write anything just so I'll have this fresh in my mind before beginning: If I can't see it, smell it, feel it or taste it, then I am not there

StephBee Author IconMail Icon: I loved your newsletter on smell. While it's a small element, when it's included, it really brings the essence of a story up a notch. Thanks for reminding us!

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