  Short Stories
This week: UhOhNaNoWriMo! 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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UhOhNaNoWriMo!
I'm going to keep this short and sweet. I've got writing to do!
November--a month I look forward to every year ... and one I've come to dread. I love gathering with family and friends, eating good food in great company and stuffing myself to the point of bursting. Good times.
But NaNoWriMo stresses me out. Last year was my first NaNo experience, and I only penned approximately 8,000 words. Sheesh! What a miserable failure, right? I mean ... the goal is 50,000 words, and I only wrote 8,000. That's like 16%.
No, I didn't fail. I tried! And whenever you make an attempt--a genuine attempt--you've already won.
The same goes for writing in general. We're all here for the same reason: we all aspire to be writers. And here's a little secret you may not know: the only one who can cause you to fail is you. If you don't write, if you don't edit the crap out of your work until it's as perfect as it can possibly be, if you don't submit what you've written (regardless of what your family and friends say) ... well, to put it bluntly, you're sabotaging yourself. You and only you determine your writing destiny, and you will never be a writer if you don't write.
I may reach my 50,000-word goal this year and I may not, but I'm giving it an honest effort, and that's what's important.
Until next time,
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Feedback
The following is in response to "Short Stories Newsletter (October 21, 2009)" "
anastasia beyverhausen  says, "Great newsletter. These words are so true: Write with abandon and without fear. Too often writers may hold back, mainly because of criticism (this is very true for myself). I plan to make these words my montra and have them at the header of every story I write from now on. Thanks!" You are very welcome, Anastasia! Glad you liked the NL.
Lorien says, "Great newsletter, Shannon! You got to the heart of something I often advise in my reviews: displaying emotions so pure and so universal that every reader will understand." Thank you! And thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Acme says, "Write with abandon and without fear. Don't hold back. Pour every last raw emotion you've ever felt onto that page. Make it authentic. Write it real, and you'll be amazed by how good it is ... and how much easier it is to NaNo!  " LOL Exactly, Acme. Are you ready for NaNo? *shudder* Maybe I'll actually do it this year. Last year was my first attempt, and I came up short (just over 8k words). Perhaps 2009 is my year! Thanks for the feedback.
Noelle says, "Hi Shannon! What an inspiring newsletter! This really makes me want to let down my hair, sit down and just write from my soul until my heart is content!  Thanks so much for the great encouragement!" Aw, thank you, Noelle! And thank YOU for the encouragement!
Just call me Omni says, "I love Maya Angelou! This was a well written newsletter!" Me too, Omni ... and thank you!
Lauriemariepea says, "Dig deep. Write with abandon and without fear. Don't hold back. Pour every last raw emotion you've ever felt onto that page. Make it authentic." Yes!! Love this! Thank you, Shannon!" You are very welcome. Thank YOU! 
LJPC - the tortoise says, "Hi Shannon! What a terrific newsletter! That's a great tip about making sure to write characters that readers can identify with; I'm afraid most of my characters aren't as sympathetic as they should be. I'll pay more attention to this is the future. But about having ideas whirling and not being able to type fast enough, I've never experienced that. I get good plot ideas, but writing is slow and grueling--every sentence has to be the best I can think of, and I'm never satisfied with the results. My stories are like giving birth--it's an agonizingly slow process and not very pretty." LOL I get that too sometimes. And I am a perfectionist (thus the mere 8k words for NaNo 2008): I find it difficult (uh ... impossible) NOT editing as I write. If I see a misspelled word or misplaced punctuation mark ... well, let's just say getting the first draft down and editing later is quite the challenge for me. I'm sure my OCD has something (everything) to do with it.  Thank you for the feedback. I'm glad you liked the NL.
Sanchez says, "Hello, Shannon. I do agree with you about writing with abandon and without fear. And since I am writing an autobiography about my police career, not only is it authentic, it is the unvarnished truth. I will bring the reader into my police world with all its mundane and riveting action." Ooh, now THAT is something I'd like to read. I am fascinated by the whole law enforcement process and think an FBI profiler would be the perfect job for me. *sigh* Oh well. I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through you and others who do it every day. Thanks for the feedback!
sarahreed says, "Thank you for a new inspirational quote that I'm going to post next to my computer when I write for NaNo: 'Write with abandon and without fear.' It's a scary concept, but I'm going to do it!" You are very welcome, Sarah. Thank YOU for reading and commenting, and good luck with your NaNoing!
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Short Stories: November 11, 2009 Issue [#3351]
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