  Short Stories
This week: Shape Sorter Surprise Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week. |
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Shape Sorter Surprise
I recently had an email discussion with a friend about tweaking an already-existing story to fit a contest requirement. He wanted to know if I had any suggestions for how to go about "turning a serious story light."
Whew, what a question! Although my answer popped into my head instantly, I wanted to think about it a while--turn it over in my hands and view it from all angles. After considering the question for most of the day, my final response was the same as it would have been had I answered immediately.
In my opinion, each individual piece has its own tone, its own mood, and trying to force a story into another genre is like a kid trying to force a little wooden square into a round hole. It just doesn't work. I've tried and am always disappointed with the result. It's like something--something essential--gets lost in the translation.
It is what it is, and each story determines that without much input from the writer, I'm afraid. At least that's been my experience. When I sit down to write, I write it as it comes, which is usually fast and furious. Your story/characters will tell you where they want you to take them, and the final result (as well as your opinion of it) is much more satisfying if you listen to them. |
Monday was Memorial Day. As a tribute to our brave men and women in uniform I'd like to share these stories about the everyday heroes who risk their lives for each and every one of us. They are an inspiration, and I would like to thank them for their service and their sacrifice.
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|  | George (13+)
Let us not ever forget.1st Place - New Story - Co-winner Oak Cliff Review 3/3/04
#809426 by Rasputin  |
| | BOUNDING HOME (18+)
Youth is lost forever as WWII trainees break their maidens as "Men o' War" on D-Day
#1553061 by DRSmith  |
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Feedback
This feedback is in response to "Short Stories Newsletter (May 6, 2009)" :
mw1993 says, "I'm actually a fan of both Silence of the Lambs and Saw. I prefer horror to not be exceedingly gory, and the Hannibal trilogy is still one of my all-time favourites, but at the same time I loved the way Saw delved deeper into the dark side of the human mind. I saw it less as a slasher and more from the killer's point of view - an experiment in how far someone would go to save themselves. The human mind has always intrigued me. Great newsletter!" Thank you! I am intrigued by the human mind as well, and the books on my shelf reflect that--but for me reading it is one thing, seeing it is another. Human beings are capable of such cruelty and unimaginable horror (child abuse immediately comes to mind). I don't need to watch it to know it exists. I'm kinda weird in that I prefer not to fill my mind with such images because ... well, once they're in there you can't get them out. Heck, I can't even watch Bear Grylls eat live grubs, so Saw is definitely out of the question!  Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment!
JACE  says, "Great newsletter, Shannon. While I miss the boat often enough in that department, I have a couple stories in which I believe I achieved that sentiment. How do I know? My first clue is the stories almost wrote themselves. They have a life of their own. Of course, only the readers can really validate your feeling. And what a feeling when they do." Thanks, Jace, and how right you are! It's the best feeling there is.
Mara ♣ McBain  says, "Giving your reader a story to sink their teeth into and characters that they can feel with is great advice for any genre. Running an erotica contest I try to push the idea of plot and purpose even in that genre. Well said Shannon and thank you for including "In a Moment's Breath ..." in your picks. It is an honor!" The honor was all mine, Mara. Thank you!
sarahreed says, "I often hear people talk about great stories and the focus of tight, moving writing. But what if you want to write a piece of fluff? Sometimes I do and I get criticized for it. There's too many adverbs, not enough description, the character's motivation doesn't make sense, etc. Yet, the rules aren't same and shouldn't be compared to a great story because it isn't. I know a lot of us want to write that great novel that will be talked about for generations, but sometimes I just want to write something that will make people smile or laugh and then they'll forget about it. Or maybe, just maybe, they'll remember and continue smiling. And I'm good with that, either way. Just my two cents of ranting. Everyone's got a differeing opinion, much like the movie discussion that you had." I agree with you! I have quite a few things in my port one might consider "fluff." I know these things will never be widely read, never published and most likely never remembered--and that's okay. I wrote them for me because they made me feel good, and I can only hope that along the way they make someone else feel good too. Excellent point, and write on!
Acme  says, "Oh, Shannon, ace newsletter.  I'm sad to say that I've never read the book The Silence of the Lambs, because I saw the movie first.  I am lazy that way. I'm not lazy the other way around, though. If I read a good book and they adapt it, I'm there like a shot. I recently went to see a monologue performance of Michael Morpurgo's Private Peaceful. It was ace, but I doubt I would have gone if I hadn't been so impressed with the book." Hey Acme, glad to hear I'm not the only one. I'm guilty of this too. I've found that--for me, anyway--seeing the movie first kind of ruins the book because it tranquilizes my imagination. And what if they botch the job? You're not likely to read the book then, which is unfortunate because I've read some excellent books that were adapted into mediocre (or even bad) movies (The Stand pops to mind here). Thanks for reading and commenting, Acme! I'm glad you liked the NL.
Elaine's Beary Limited*~ says, "Great comparison. I am not into the,Saw movies. I didn't like the first one much nor any of the ones following. On the other hand I truly like The Silence of the Lambs. I have three separate books about Hannibal Lecter. I like them and keep them to read again, so I think it's kind of like a classic that I go back to now and then. Good beginning Shannon for a first newsletter." Thank you, Elaine! I appreciate that.
Beck Firing back up!  says, "This was an excellent newsletter! You said so much in so few words, which was really the message of the newsletter. To me, becoming part of the story or seeing it through a character's eyes, is what really makes a story work. If the author does it - the reader can to!" Thank you, Beck!
SkyHawk - Into The Music says, "I have to say, you nailed it! It truly IS all about the story. It doesn't matter the genre; if you don't have a good underlying storyline, your project will go nowhere. Graphics/CGI and star power only go so far; the same goes for wild sex or violence. If you don't have the story (which includes solid plot, multi-dimensional characters and good to great settings), the project will flounder." Exactly, SkyHawk. I couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks for the feedback!
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Short Stories: May 27, 2009 Issue [#3045]
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