  Short Stories
This week: Exorcise that Sagging Middle Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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"If you catch an adjective, kill it."
Mark Twain
"I believe the road to hell is paved with adverbs."
Stephen King
Greetings, I'm honored to be your guest host for this week's edition of the WDC Short Story Newsletter.
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Greetings, we've made it past 12-21-12, and a new year is upon us. What do most of us do each New Year's day? We make resolutions; things we plan on accomplishing the coming year. Many of these resolutions have to do with fitness, be it building muscle, losing weight, eliminating the muffin top (jelly roll) 
Now, this year, I'm going to avoid the quick fix; I'm going to exercise in order to exorcise the 'baggage.' I know that 'crunches' are the only real way of reducing the sag when I've overindulged and then keeping the spoon out of reach of the ice cream. Likewise, to eliminate excess 'girth' in the middle of my story, work away that which does no good for the 'body' of the story, and avoid indulging in a plethora of adverbs and adjectives and images that just hang there. How to get into this exercise regimen ??
 Write the story, then go back and revise. Whether outlining the story from beginning to end or writing stream-of-though, the middle can most often use some work to keep it focused so readers want to know the story, not just the ending. After grabbing readers with a vivid, intriguing hook or opening scene, the middle of the story is where to make each reader want to participate in the story.
Challenge the character (and reader) by keeping the story active. Whether writing first, third, or omniscient voice, lengthy scenic descriptions or internal dialogue slow the pace and take the reader out of the action. The character needs to make choices that result in reaction with which the reader may or may not agree, at first, but will want to see the result. Note the visual reference. The story is dynamic, itself a character with which the protagonist (or antagonist) interacts in order to arrive at the satisfying (if not always 'happy') conclusion.
Build tension with conflict, internal and/or external, for the character (and reader). The character's reaction to the conflict, the obstacle, makes him or her real for the reader, somebody he/she your reader wants to know more about, wants to see succeed on his/her journey. The conflict also effects change in the character as well as his/her environment, making the story dynamic and important to the reader.
Plant relevant clues both false and true that show the character's 'stuff.' The middle of the story is where the reader gets to know the character and care that he/she succeeds (or fails). Relevant is the operative word here. If the character gets lost in musing over a picturesque sunset, so will the reader. However, if a fiery red sunset is the gas from an exploded tanker of noxious gas the character must somehow contain or escape, then it's relevant. This, I suppose, is the scary word 'plot.' Each scene needs to move the story forward towards the conclusion, whether by misdirection or direction. The character's interaction with and reaction to events changes him/her and keeps the reader involved in the story.
Back to those dreaded 'crunches,' which are worth the end result. Trim the excess verbiage and non-relevant action. If you see yourself really going off in another direction, perhaps it's another story taking shape; another adventure for your muse creative and readers to savor - another day. Keep the end result in focus and your character (and story) will be the stronger for it.
I hope you've enjoyed this exploration and found something to challenge or incite your muse creative to action.
Write On!!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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I invite you to read a few stories penned by members of our Community and share with them your thoughts with a comment or review  as to how they keep you in the story. See how tight the stories are, whether longer or very short. Then, why wait, there's time before the calendar turns to take up a challenge and weave your own engaging tale
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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!
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I thank you for welcoming me into your virtual home as we prepare to open new calendars and embark on a new year of writing success and Fun!!
As a guest host, I don't have a formal 'ask and answer' but if you have a story you'd like to share, or a writing 'exercise' that works for your story, drop a link with a comment and, always,
Write On!!.
Wishing you each a Happy New Year
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Short Stories: December 25, 2012 Issue [#5428]
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