  Short Stories
This week: We the People 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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This week's newsletter was inspired by the "Horror/Scary Newsletter (December 16, 2009)" editorial and the resulting feedback Bill posted in the Ask & Answer section of the "Horror/Scary Newsletter (January 13, 2010)" .
We the People
When I was a kid there was a show on television called Schoolhouse Rock. I loved that stinkin' show! It's not on anymore, but you can purchase the DVDs online. Anyway, kids watched, listened and sang along to the catchy tunes, oblivious to the fact that they were actually learning something: Conjunction Junction , Interjections , Lolly Lolly Lolly Get Your Adverbs Here , A Noun Is a Person, Place or Thing and The Tale of Mr. Morton (my personal favorite) sparked my lifelong love of language, and to this day I can remember every word.
Schoolhouse Rock also taught children about politics and how government operates. How a Bill Becomes a Law and The Preamble are just two examples.
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
For those of you reading this from somewhere outside the US, that is the Preamble to the United States Constitution. There are a total of twenty-seven amendments in the United States Constitution. The first ten are referred to as the Bill of Rights , and it is them (or, to be more precise, one of them) I'd like to discuss today.
I can practically hear what you're thinking: What the heck do the Constitution and Bill of Rights have to do with short stories? The answer is ... well, everything.
The First Amendment reads: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
We are a diverse community. Writers come from every country and every corner of the world. We all have differing opinions, religions and points of view. For decades, journalists and writers of all kinds have been fighting for the right to speak freely. Oppressed people from around the globe have been jailed, tortured and killed for voicing their opinions, ideas and protestations (just Google "Jailed Journalists" or "Writer Jailed" and you'll see it's still happening today). Sometimes local, state and/or national governments enact laws to squelch independent thinking, resulting in things like censorship and this List of Banned Books . So whenever I see someone trying to stifle the voice of another, I have to ask why ... what's their agenda.
If anyone should be championing individual freedom of thought and speech, it's us--writers. While we may not agree with everything another writer says, we should support his (or her) right to say it. Homosexuality, gun control, racism, abortion, medicinal marijuana, politics and religion may be touchy subjects, but they're subjects we're all entitled--free--to express our opinions about. It's impossible to please 100% of the people 100% of the time, but writers and readers alike must be respectful and tolerant of one another. Take a step back and a big deep breath before speaking or reacting impulsively to something you disagree with. If you don't like what you're reading, put the book down or close the magazine or move on to the next newsletter, but attempting to suppress an individual's right to express his or her personal point of view does us all a disservice.
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First, a few pieces to reiterate what freedom of speech is all about. Whether you agree with these essays or not, they're sure to spark conversation.
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Now, for your reading pleasure, please enjoy this week's featured stories.
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Feedback
The following is in response to "Short Stories Newsletter (January 6, 2010)" :
Koyel~writing again  says, "I liked this newsletter a lot. Great stories often arise from ordinary things--surroundings. You're right! I especially liked the description of the woman and the man."
THANKFUL SONALI back on Jan 4  says, "Yup, there are stories pouring out everywhere ... that's why it's so great to be a writer! Thanks for an inspiring newsletter!"
JACE  says, "Great newsletter, Shannon. I had to smile as I read it remembering past discussions on this subject. Many of my story ideas have come from Barnes and Noble.  Thanks for featuring my story.  "
NickiD89  says, "I can't wait to read your story about the woman in the lime green hat. I love seeing fearless fashion divas like her, and thanks to your descriptions, I feel like I did!  "
Mara ♣ McBain  says, "Excellent NL, Shannon. It makes me want to get out more this year. LOL I always love people watching at the mall!  I love the description of the woman at Barnes & Noble. You have me beyond curious. You will have to give me a shout when her story appears in your port!"
Doug Rainbow  says, "Your letter reminds me of the quote that artists perceive the world with eyes more sensitive and discerning than the rest of us. This is true whether the artist is a visual artist or a writer."
Adriana Noir says, "Okay, okay, you're right.  The holidays brought with them a nasty case of writer's block, but I can see your point here, Shannon. There is a story everywhere. I think it's time I go people watching . . . or is that muse shopping? LOL Thanks for the wonderful advice and gentle prod!"
drifter46 says, "I love this newsletter. I have much the same problem. I should note that I, too, am or was a photographer. I don't do much with that now that I'm older. But the point being I tend to observe the surroundings and the people. People's physical appearance will often give rise to a story via a character and if not a story then certainly a character for use later. Half the fun of people watching is character creation. I've turned a pointed-eared, narrow-chinned, beady-eyed bus rider into a morphed ratlike creature. I've discovered a that casino cashier who is round, apple-cheeked and extremely jovial, is really an antique collector with a very nasty habit of disposing of people she meets. Watch closely enough and you can find stories lurking anywhere. It's really just a matter of looking then saying, 'What if?'"
Mark says, "I'd like to read, once, a newsletter that takes a spin in a different direction. Don't inspire new ideas, or what we don't do by our own nature--inspire us to look inward at what we do, at what our own sources of magic might be. This, as always is a vey good newsletter, and we all can take a positive from it, so by far, this is not a complaint. I like your thinking, and your writing. How do we encourage those whose lives are not conducive to their own inspiration? (this is not a problem with me, but I see it here quite often). Anyway, Happy New Year, and thank you for caring about us all enough to write a thought-povoking newsletter."
pammierose says, "Hey Shannon, I loved your story about the little ole lady at the book store. I could see her clearly in my mind and boy, I could with with a story on her. Her name should be Pearl. LOL I have always said that when I get old I am going to wear a bright orange blouse, purple pants, and lime green shoes!! Oh, and my hair will be dyed FLAMING RED!!! Good job!!!"
Quick-Quill  says, "What a wonderful newsletter. I too have so many ideas they crowd out the main story I want to write right now. The picture you painted of the woman and then the couple was too perfect. You truely are a word painter."
LJPC - the tortoise says, "Hi Shannon! I think your point about finding inspiration all around is very valid. But personally, when I write about anything close to the truth, no one likes it. When I write wild flights of fancy that are completely out of my realm of experience, people are very positive. Go figure! My inspirations seem to come from within, not without. Thanks for the NL. Great as always! "
SkyHawk - Into The Music says, "Hello, Shannon. Thanks for including my story 'Boats and Memories' in the submitted items in your last news letter. I'm thinking of expanding it at some point. You make some great comments about inspiration being readily available. The lady you saw in the bookstore is an excellent example, and one I fear many people would look away from. And I am glad to see you mention music, which I have often found to be a great source of material (in one project I have, two words at the start of a song inspired eight chapters). When I hear people say they can't find inspiration, I have to wonder -- Are they only willing to accept certain types of inspiration?"
Jane says, "Thanks for the motivation! I loved, enjoyed, and appreciated the message in your "Inspiration 101" newsletter. It's so easy to caught up and sucked into your own little world and forget that life and inspiration is happening all around you. Thanks for reopening my eyes to all the endless possibilities!"
Red Writing Hood <3  says, "Great advice, Shannon. I do that all the time! "
tj16 says, "That is so true. You give very helpful advice. After writing is often details, details, and even more details."
esprit says, "You're absolutely right, Shannon. Inspiration is everywhere--we just need to pay attention. A Good letter!"
PartyBee  says, "Shannon, I have the same problem you do. Too many ideas and not enough time to write them all down!"
Coolhand says, "For me, the two characters you described proved your premise, perfectly. Inspiration is all around us. Nice newsletter, amigo."
NanoWriMo2018 Into the Earth says, "I enjoyed reading this one. How you followed her ... classic. "
Thank you all so much for the fabulous feedback!  I have a feeling this week's NL will have even more. Bring it on! 
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Short Stories: February 03, 2010 Issue [#3497]
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