  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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I've been a Short Story Newsletter editor since February 2006, and due to several reasons, it's time to allow someone else to have a chance to share with W.Com readers.
I've enjoyed my time with the newsletter, and I'm sure I'll miss it. For my last scheduled editorial, I will update the first newsletter I wrote in January 2006.
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Let's Keep It Real
The heavy, dumpy woman in the mirror stared back at the middle-aged Dana Rice. “Don’t understand why Mrs. Smythe hired me over those younger women, but glad she did,” she mumbled to herself before turning to grab her purse.
After her husband’s desertion for a new wife, a trophy wife, Dana needed to work, but the position as executive assistant to Jason Smythe of Smythe Electronics surprised her. Even though she would meet her employer for the first time this morning, she knew about his company. However having his mother not only hire her but train her was a shock. “Maybe she understood that even if all my northern hemisphere has slid south, that didn’t take away my mental abilities and skills,” she voiced aloud as she drove to the office.
The preceding paragraphs to a story give the reader a realistic introduction to the main character. We know that Dana is no longer young and that she doesn’t have the sleek body so often found in the heroine of a story. We get the background needed to know how the company owner’s mother hired and trained her. We discover that Dana has yet to meet her employer.
The minute Dana entered her office to discover the dark-haired, young Adonis waiting for her, she knew why a young woman hadn’t gained the position: Momma bear wanted to protect her cub.
Okay, we still have a believable story. However, if we continue with a twist in the later part of the story:
Jason wrapped his arms around Dana. “I tried to forget you, but I can’t.” He lowered his head to capture her mouth with his.
Most readers would snort and toss the story aside. Few, if any, would believe that a young, handsome man would fall in love with an older, pudgy woman.
Yet, when we read male-lit, rather than chick-lit, we find men with flabby muscles and big bellies attracting young nymphs. Unless the men are rich, why or what makes that picture acceptable to readers? The idea of an older, out-of-shape woman being romanced by a young stud is no less real than the idea of the reverse happening. Why do “male” stories seem to contain such unbelievable romance?
According to Elaine Viets, InSinC December 2005 as reprinted from the Lipstick Chronicles blog from August, “Too many men have this touchingly naive belief that beautiful young women will love them for their flabby bodies and fine minds. Even smart men fall for this fantasy.”
We, as writers, need to keep the plot real for the readers. If attractive younger people should fall in love with unattractive much older people, there should be reasons that are covered in depth so that readers can accept those reasons, since the likelihood of such a thing actually happening is unlikely.
The example given might be considered extreme, yet we find lack of realism in stories too often. Making the stories real takes work, but the result is well-written stories that help hold the reader’s attention. So let’s keep it real. |
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From Our Readers
I appreciate all the feedback I've received over the past three years. Thank you.
francie
Okay, I know you're busy, so don't worry about replying. No worries. This is note to thank you for the ideas you included. I use some of those techniques, but you broadened my vision. much appreciation.
Thank you for letting me know you appreciate the ideas I gave.
billwilcox
Viv!!!
Great Newsletter, as always. It is amazing where we pick up all our wild ideas, but even more amazing is being able to put them down into words that are a joy to read.
All the best,
-Bill
Yes, it is amazing where we find ideas, and as far as putting those ideas into enjoyable reading material -- that's why God created writers.
Stephanie 
Hi Vivian~
I liked all your ideas for adding depth to characters and situations. I'm already doing some of them, but I'm planning to do at least one more: jot down interesting conversation tidbits when I hear them.
I think writing a believable story takes lots and lots of research and preparation. That's where all your suggestions come in. The interesting thing is that a writer might do all those things and then put it all into just a few sentences. But it's worth it, 'cause all the work and effort shows through somehow, giving your story and your characters amazing depth and dimension.
Stephanie
Oh, yes, the work and effort is always worth it when that finished, glowing, "real" story is finally in hand.
Adriana Noir
Great newsletter and advice! I've used many of these techniques in the past. Google is one of the most valuable research tools out there!
I don't know how anyone survived without Google.
Red Writing Hood <3 
Great advice, as usual Viv 
I am never at a loss for ideas, my idea box is full of scraps of paper quickly scratched out ideas for poetry, novels, articles and short stories. I'm an idea machine.
My problem is following through and getting those ideas past conception to being born and thriving in the publishing world. I think it's a focus thi... Look, a duckie!
 Oh, Holly, remember when we traded newsletters in 2006, and you took poetry?
faithjourney
Great newsletter on story ideas. I've found nothing is as inspiring as real life. Reality is, after all, much stranger than fiction.
I'll never forget the time an editor wanted me to delete something because he said it wasn't believable, something I had taken directly from real life.
larryp
A helpful newsletter, Vivian. My ideas for short stories seem to be few and far between, so I need all the help I can get.
The best advice is to read, read, read, and read good stories to learn how to write stories, short or long. Hope you make the short stories more of a part of your writing life.
Fyn 
Excellent newsletter, Viv! Full of so much useful info!
Thanks, Fyn.
Doc Bones
I would like to see something about HOW to edit. I have been doing some reading from books I got at the library but they don't seem to be helping much. Any suggestions?
Have you taken any writing classes or workshops? What about attending writing conferences? Before a person can successfully edit, she/he needs to have a foundation in grammar, sentence structure -- all the English components -- and know the basics of writing. I don't know of any short cuts.
debkuhlmeyer
Great advice and interesting insight, I'm so sorry that that happened to your niece.
Thanks you for your time and valuable advice.
I'm glad some of what I've learned over the years can help others.
Now it's time to say goodbye. Hopefully I'll return from time to time as a guest editor, but I'll be around and will enjoy hearing from you.
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Short Stories: March 11, 2009 Issue [#2925]
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