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Short Stories: January 14, 2009 Issue [#2829]

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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

         Another year has started. I resolved this year not to make any resolutions, and I have kept that one -- so far. *Laugh*

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Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Don't Dos for Stories


         I read stories that sometimes irritate me because they contain cheap tricks, but nothing causes me to grit my teeth and throw a book, magazine, or manuscript across the room more than when it's filled with cheap writing tricks. What are some of these "don't use ideas"? Ah, let me count the ways. Sorry, wrong analogy.

         Don't have a protagonist, which is usually a woman, insert herself into a dangerous situation when she could call 911. How many stupid people are there in the literary world?

         Don't leave the reader guessing about what the hero finds. A clue, a piece of evidence, a letter, whatever, should be shared with the reader when the character finds it.

         Don't make dialogue boring, unreal, filled with background information. Have you ever become irate when one character explains something to another that the second person should know? I don't like it when one CSI person tells someone running a test all the steps. Surely the one running the test would know what to do.

         Don't make the people in authority appear stupid or dumb. Law enforcement officers should be realistic, not buffoons. Yes, they can make mistakes and actually appear flawed as we all are, but they should be intelligent enough to be on the force. Parents are not all morons. Bosses aren't mindless idiots.

         Just a few of my "don't dos," but I'll have more another time.


Editor's Picks

Stories from W. Com


The Refuge Open in new Window. [18+]
A lighthouse offers safety, perhaps a refuge for wayward souls.
by JACE Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 That Silent Moment Open in new Window. [18+]
A short story about love, lust and apathy. [First Draft, please comment]
by Arron Shampoo Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Oh, If Looks Could Kill Open in new Window. [E]
Humorous look at a birth of a baby - the father's point of view - based on a true story.
by sybil Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 
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Ask & Answer

Words from Our Readers


         Thank you for the encouraging feedback. I appreciate your taking time to let me know I've done something right, or if I do something wrong. At least when people send comments, I know someone read the newsletter.

         I think we all like to know we've been "heard."

StephBee Author IconMail Icon
         Great tips, Viv simply put! Two thumbs up.

spidey Author IconMail Icon
         A great newsletter! I think we can all benefit from refreshers like this.
         Although writing in 2nd person isn't considered "good" writing, there are a few good examples of successful writing with that point of view. (Tom Robbins' Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas is one of my favorite novels)
         A good, informative newsletter! Thanks! *Smile*

billwilcox
         Thanks for the refresher course, Teach. It never hurts to go through a little review.Smile

dkdoulos
         Thank you for the writing tips! It's good to be reminded of the basics from time to time.

May your 2009 be the best year ever,
and may every year here after be even better.

Vivian

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