This week: The Art of Dying Edited by: Legerdemain  
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How Did You Die?
It's been the topic of conversation because of Covid-19. I'm not going to get into the numbers due to a virus or talk about how the death rate is calculated, but do an editorial on death - itself.
How do you describe death? Humans can tell about the fleeting moments before actual death, but what is death? From all causes, roughly 159,000 people die around the world each day. Death is the end of biological function. There are endless causes for death - malfunction, malnutrition, accidental death or murder. We have names for it - passing on, passed away, or expired. What is left is the body, the remains or the deceased.
What happens next? The beliefs are endless. Some believe in reincarnation and afterlife. Some say the soul "goes toward the light and feels unconditional love" or you climb stairs or go down a tunnel. Some say their life flashes before their eyes. Do your relatives and those dearly departed come to escort you to the afterlife? Those who have had a Near Death Experience are often reluctant to describe their NDE because people consider it a paranormal event. Evidence of NDEs have been traced as far back as the 4th century. An NDE could be a fantastic tool in your story.
Think about the details of death when writing. This is an opportunity to create a unique image in your reader's mind and predispose their thinking about what will happen next in the story. We've killed our characters in a million ways, but have we described death well enough? Only the other characters witnessing the death and the ceremonies chosen to dispose of the remains can show your reader what death is like. So when killing off your next character, give them a proper send off instead of merely telling the reader the character is dead. Write on!
This month's question: What are some of your favorite death scenes?
 Send in your answer below! Editors love feedback!
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| | Oubliette (18+)
Thrown into the oubliette. Winner of SCREAMS!!! 5/8/2020 and Weekly Winner, May 2020..
#2221429 by Beholden   |
Excerpt: Oh, God, no, not the oubliette. My blood freezes into immobility and my soul becomes one with the impenetrable darkness surrounding me. The fear and loathing of this ultimate of punishments seizes my being and, for what seems like hours, I cannot move. But life is endlessly adaptable, no matter how awful the circumstances, and my mind begins to surface eventually.
Excerpt: Though the August sun sat right overhead like a neon sign calling out to teens, the only sound rising from the shore of Lake Escollo was an incessant, high-pitched barking. The little, clay-colored terrier found her before she cleared the shade of trees. He inspected her sneakers, then gave her skinned knee a good cleaning before he hopped up on his hind legs. She thought he would be soft like her mother’s Westies, but his coat was wiry. He wriggled and nipped at her fingers.
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This item number is not valid.
#2217244 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: He was a very ugly old man; shrunken and wrinkled, almost blind and with no teeth. He was too weak to climb stairs, or travel from one room to the next without help and there were only a few wisps of white hair left to cover a mottled pink scalp. No one really knew how old he was, but Jim's father said he'd been called Old Ben even when he was a boy.
Excerpt: I often hear people say, "Just think... Little May could be Tilly's reincarnation. Is that you in there, Tilly?" Then they peer into my eyes, as if they might spot her. Although this annoys me at times, I put up with it, especially since I've learned Great-aunt Tilly's spirit had, in fact, slipped into my body at birth. It's our secret though. At least for now.
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2218974 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: Cold wind blows through a dark cobblestone alley, sweeping dust and leaves along the way, past a tiny bazaar hidden in the depths of the city. Wooden and dilapidated, the building itself looked like an old relic.
Inside, a lonely gypsy woman waited for customers to arrive, slowly drawing tarot cards on herself to pass the time.
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2214801 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: Long ago, sometime during the Medieval era existed a castle that was abandoned and forgotten on a hill on the mountain valley of Nevermore. A king named Henry, was nothing more than a ghost who loved gold, women and feasting. He knew nothing more than this and was long over due for a change in his existence. He died at the hand of a handsome prince from the Valley of Plosly during a duel for a princess named Eva and he lost the duel.
Excerpt: Once upon a time, there was a lone demon spawn, lying in the dark, waiting. Every day, he waited for his chance; his chance to strike, his chance to live, his chance to be. One day, it happened, a miracle and a tragedy. The parents of an ailing child in the Midwest learned their precious babe had passed in the night. The spawn drew near from shadows and watched the little soul float off into the light. When the body was cold and blue, he took it for his own. Moments later, the babe drew breath, and his cheeks pinked, as did the parents' at the sound of his shrill, little cry.
Excerpt: "Oi, Georgie?"
"What is it?"
Excerpt: She knew every detail of the man, saw every facial expression, nervous tick, and muscle movement as if she owned them. A long time ago, she had held his tiny body in her arms as he took his first breaths; raced him to the hospital when he had developed Apnea and Cyanosis. He had barely survived, but they had struggled together. Mothers do that for their sons.
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This month's question: What are some of your favorite death scenes?
Send in your answer below! Editors love feedback!
Last month's "Short Stories Newsletter (April 1, 2020)" question: What are you doing to stay occupied in quarantine?
jonblair  : Having served in the US Navy for 21 years, I'm used to LONG periods at sea, so the "stay-at-home" quarantine is a breeze for me! I work on a 'HOME' project every day, as I'm handy regarding home projects. Additionally, I have used this time to READ several new books given as gifts or checked out from the local library (before they shut down). They sent an email to their members, telling us to hold onto the books until wer're notified they can be returned - LATE fines will be waived. I am currently in the final stages of writing three new eBooks to be published this summer, adding to my first three published the previous summer. I'm catching up on new movies, staying connected with family and reconnecting with friends - made a few new ones here on WDC as well ! Yes, it's been a lemon, so CREATE lemonade !
Cappucine  : Teaching my English classes remotely is keeping me absolutely occupied.
Lilliy Loidd 🪔  : Getting ready for the Something That's Coming!
melovewriting  : Going through story notes that I write down at work.
blueflowers777: Writing and reading!
Beacon - House Night's Watch  : Writing down my goals for the month and try to get them down before the month is out. Another, I want to get back to read a book since I have to stay home except if I have to go out and get a few things like toilet paper and paper towels.
woolwaulker: I am a delivery driver that goes to USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL. I have reduced my delivery schedule to one trip per day to cover them all, in Covid19 protective gear I have purchased myself that I leave outside when I get home, and then wash up thoroughly once inside, plus spray myself with Covid19-Killer spray. I have reduced my trips to the grocery store to one day per week, according to the published guidelines. I do not interact with any other persons other than electronically. I live in the mountains, and so social distancing is no problem, except for birds, squirrels, skunks, etc. I am doing the best I can, and I do not feel guilty, nor do I believe I am violating any guidelines. I do not want to get Covid19, and I do not want to give it to anyone else. May higher power bless us all.
MirandaCookies COLLEGE SOON : Trying to complete my weekly goals.
Luckie 🍀 : Writing, writing. More writing. Jam out, followed by sitting and writing.
s : What I was doing before quarantine.
Some things never change...
DRSmith : Sipping quarantinis 
while trying to stay within the lines on grandkids coloring books.
Sharmelle's Expressions  : I have been packing today and I have been here working on my Topic of the Month Contest.
Using the newsfeed to add my good mornings and good evenings in the mornings and evenings along with some times afternoon if I sleep to late.
I will also begin to set up my new Fundraiser forum for May.
jolanh : Writing my Silverbolt stories.
tj ~ endeavors to persevere!  : I have never had any problems entertaining myself and always enjoy alone time, unfortunately, our stay at home order has my children at home, so now I get to be teacher, principal, cook, entertainer, and maid. I find myself eager for the stay at home/social distancing to end so I can have some quiet, alone time again.
Jack Henry ; Hoping to finish a competition entry. When that's done, I'll sit around the house hoping to make the short list. As for winning? One can only but dream.
Dominique : I'm an introvert. I'm very much a homebody anyway. I work from home (normally - although this craziness has me with zero work 2-3 weeks now) and take online classes. Plus, I have a 2 year old that isn't in school yet. I'm also in recovery, so I've kind of abandoned my overly adventurous side to resort to a more calm, serene, out-of-prison and clean type of life. :) It has worked well for me and definitely has helped me adjust at the moment when I am "told" to stay home. I was sort of like, well, what else would I do? hahahaha
shepherd46: I keep busy with writing; although some writing projects are on hold due to the quarantine. I also keep busy with cleaning projects and go out and get some fresh air when I can. Like many, I hope this quarantine is over soon.
roryk: I will be adding new entries into "Invalid Item" .
Beauty4Ashes : I am definitely introverted. No problems at all with entertaining myself. I am also self motivated. I have so many projects and never enough time. I always feel like I should be doing something so sitting down to write and enjoy myself is challenging for me but I'm gonna do it this time!
princess191: reading all poetry / speaking with family / friends / fellow writers / Super cleaning
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Short Stories: May 27, 2020 Issue [#10198]
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