  Short Stories
This week: Knock on Wood 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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I've met some interesting people over the years--a man who walked around with a pack of hot dogs in his shirt pocket, another with "Saved by Grace" tattooed in large script across his forehead, a woman who had "sucking stones" (she walked around all day sucking on rocks), and another who enjoyed phoning hospitals at all hours of the day and night to complain about trumped-up ailments and pretending to suffer from various conditions (dying from prolonged constipation, migraines brought on by intentionally gulping air, etc.). I've often thought it would be fun to write about such quirky characters because, after all, don't we all have our own little idiosyncrasies?
In addition to oddities, phobias and superstitions are good ways to humanize your characters. I mean, we've all done it, right? Knocked on wood, stepped over cracks (so we don't break our mother's back), avoided walking under ladders, crossed our fingers when telling a lie. Superstitions may be silly, but they're so woven into the fabric of society that we often practice them without even realizing it.
Here are just a few that came to mind as I sat to write this newsletter:
 You'll get your birthday wish if you blow out all your candles with one breath
If your palm itches, you're in for a financial windfall
If your ears are ringing, someone is talking about you
Making a wish on a falling star makes your wish come true
An apple a day keeps the doctor away
Four-leaf clovers are good luck
Breaking a mirror = seven years of bad luck
Garlic wards off evil spirits
Wishing while tossing a coin into a fountain will make your wish come true
If you spill salt, toss a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off the Devil
Unlucky number 13: many public buildings don't have a 13th floor or 13th room
And speaking of the number 13, what about Triskaidekaphobia--fear of the number 13? Everyone is afraid of something. I happen to be afraid of heights (Acrophobia) and won't go anywhere near the railing on the second floor of the mall.  Here are a few more common phobias:
Arachnophobia (fear of spiders)
Claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces)
Ophidiophobia (fear of snakes)
Trypanophobia (fear of needles/injections)
Thanatophobia (fear of death/dying)
Pteromerhanophobia (fear of flying)
Ochlophobia (fear of crowds)
Musophobia (fear of mice)
Lygophobia (fear of the dark)
Keraunophobia (fear of lightning/thunder)
Hydrophobia (fear of water)
There are actually dictionaries and encyclopedias of superstitions out there, and if you Google "phobias" you'll find page after page of information. Imagine the possibilities! A high-rise security guard who's afraid of heights. A cop who carries a rabbit's foot in his pocket. A park ranger who is afraid of spiders. A medical examiner who spits over his left shoulder three times at every crime scene to ward off the devil. A nurse who's afraid of needles. A gardener to the stars who, unbeknownst to his employers, plants yellow-centered flowers for protection against witchcraft. A commercial housekeeper who works the graveyard shift and is afraid of the dark.
Mix and match to your heart's delight. Let your imagination run amok and let the inspiration begin!
Thank you for reading.
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Last month I challenged readers to submit a story of 1,000 words or less based on an image included in the newsletter. First of all, thank you for your submissions. I had a great time reading all the entries, but there can only be one winner. So without further ado, please join me in congratulating the winner of last month's photo-prompt short story contest:
        
I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. Please do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!
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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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The following is in response to "Short Stories Newsletter (May 22, 2013)" :
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  says, "I entered an Image Prompt Contest a while back- didn't win. Thing is, people want me to write Part 2. Might have to work on it." You should! I've entered many photo prompt contests and didn't win, but I've learned a lot from the experience. Thank you for reading and commenting. 
ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy  says, "count on a story for your contest from me. where do i post it?" I already received it. Thank you for entering, Ann! 
st.ifa says, "these are good and educative materials." Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. 
Bikerider  says, "Hi Shannon. Great newsletter. Speaking of using photos for inspiration, I do something similar. When I'm writing a long story I search for a picture of someone who I believe looks like a character I have in mind for the story. Once I select a picture, instead of writing out a laundry list of character traits, I write a story and give the person in the photo a life. The story usually consists of the elements of a character's character, family, education and job. By actually writing a story about the character I feel like I get to know them better and it's easier to write about them in the actually story. This has been very successful for me, and in a way utilizes the method you wrote about in your newsletter." That is a fantastic idea! I do something similar when I'm writing a novel. I make my own book covers and pin them to the wall over my desk. It's a constant reminder of why I'm there and what my goal is. Thank you for sharing! 
The following items were submitted by their authors:
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Short Stories: June 19, 2013 Issue [#5732]
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