 Short Stories: September 28, 2005 Issue [#636] |
  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Diane  
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Welcome to this week's edition of the Short Story newsletter. Each edition of the newsletter highlights issues of concern to short story writers.
~ ~ Diane ~~
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Plot Diversity
In past issues, I've mentioned the need for diverse characters to draw the reader into the story. Another component of a good tale is an intriguing storyline. If the plot is the same in every story, we won't read many of them. They need to have something different to capture the readers attention.
The Senior Moderators ran a contest recently that supplied the entrants with a brief character sketch and they had to come up with a story using that character. There were many good entries that used the descriptions given and surrounded them with a reasonable plot. The entries that stood out, however, were those that took our characters on an unexpected route. They were creative, yet believable.
It is possible to take an ordinary character and put them in extraordinary circumstances without losing the audience. Be clear that I'm not talking strictly science fiction. I'll use a homeless man, Benny, as an example. Zoo - Salted and Roasted created this character for our contest and gave the following description:
Name: David (Benny) Benjamin
Age: 70
Number of Siblings: suspects he has a brother somewhere.
Brief Physical Description: silver and grey hair, balding, hunched over, skinny, weather-beaten, crooked and sickly.
Marital Status: single, possibly divorced.
Quirks: talks to himself alot, but doesn't care who hears him. Suspicious of almost everything, but not insane or hallucinating... yet.
Description of Current Home: a cave on the banks of Barton Creek, about two hundred yards off the Loop 360 - Mopac Expressway interchange.
Description of Typical Clothing: ratty jeans, dirty t-shirt, someone's discarded running shoes (still in good shape), heavy coat and a few old sweatshirts stuffed down into a knapsack.
Hobbies/Interests/Collections: astronomy, botany, ecology. Collecting aluminum cans.
Biggest fear: Fears that God doesn't love him, and his life is in vain.
Greatest Desire: He has no motivation, no desires at all. Lives for survival.
Using only the character sketch as guidance, I see multiple potential plotlines in many genres. Benny could be hit by a car while picking up cans. This could start a story of corruption in the health care system. After all, who better to experiment on than a homeless man? Or, taking another road, he could befriend a social worker who unaware of Benny's past, starts a search for his brother. This search might turn up a past he was trying to escape for good reason. Now that he's "on the map," Benny is again a target for those he sought to leave behind. Or it could be a good old fashioned tear jerker of a family reunion. The possibilities are endless!
Instead of starting a story with a potential plot, why not start with a character? Brainstorm for ideas about that character and then go with the one that captures your imagination.
Until Next Time,
Diane
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I've selected a few stories, featuring Benny, for your enjoyment. Please remember to send the author a review. 
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The editors work hard to make sure the newsletters are informative and enjoyable. We appreciate your responses.
 Mavis Moog "I am now so intrigued about your avoiding a ticket scenario, that I will be scanning your portfolio until I find the story. I hope you post it soon.
This was a great newsletter. You are right, inspiration can never be forced. Another good reason why we mustn't spend every spare minute at the keyboard. We have to live a little too."
Vivian  "Okay, Diane, now you have aroused my curiosity: What did you write?"
 Thanks for the interest, Mavis and Viv! This story is still under construction, but I'll be sure to let you know when it's in my portfolio.
demor "I too have a collection of characters and plot ideas that I have yet to utlize. What I have found is that my best ideas come in a flash and must be written immediately."
I keep my notebook handy as often as possible, Zeke. I love having a repository of ideas and characters to draw on when I need inspiration or direction with a story.
April Sunday "Di! Keen reminder adding to a situation from daily life, the spice of realism & setting. As gas goes sky-high, will tickets?"
I'm glad you enjoyed the newsletter editorial, Teff. I agree that using situations from daily life add a sense of realism to the story. Your basic plot outline is already there and the basic characteristics of the people in the story can be seen instead of imagined.
Interesting question about the gas prices. I would think it depends on how high the prices actually go. If we can't afford to drive, we certainly won't be speeding!
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