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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12126-Put-the-Cart-Before-the-Horse.html
Short Stories: September 27, 2023 Issue [#12126]




 This week: Put the Cart Before the Horse
  Edited by: Annette
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"Any writing advice (in the articles here or elsewhere) is most useful when the article or the how-to books are read and understood and then not really paid much attention during the initial creation of a piece.
Too much of how-to has a way of crimping one's style and destroying freshness and originality." "Items on the Craft of Writing "   by Joy


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Put the Cart Before the Horse


Everybody who posts a short story to Writing.Com hopes to get reviews so that the story's weaknesses can be exposed and worked out.

Before asking others to read a short story, an author should be fairly sure about a few aspects of the story:

*Bullet* Is the story free from spelling mistakes?
*Bullet* Are the sentences holding up in terms of grammar?
*Bullet* Does each character have their own name or were there any mix ups?
*Bullet* Is there a glaring plot hole?
*Bullet* Does the story stay consistent in tense from beginning to ending?

These are relatively simple technical tasks that every author should try to have a solid grip on before showing a story. Mistakes can happen to the best. Even New York Times best selling authors have proofreaders and editors. That is why we ask others for a look with fresh eyes.

But are you aware that you can put the cart before the horse?

Instead of doing what you think is your personal best and then lobbing the story at the audience, go and read what reviewers are looking for. Below, in the Editor's Picks are several resources made by Writing.Com members that have titles that make you think you should read them after you got a review. Quite the opposite is true. These articles and bulletins each give great writing advice.

You should read these articles, take what is best from each one, and then do your best to edit and revise your short story with your newly gained knowledge. You might be surprised at how many things you will suddenly see in your story that you weren't aware of.

Will this guarantee you a flawless five-star rating on all your stories? Maybe. In any case, a reviewer will recognize when a short story is presented with care and respect for the craft or has been slapped together.

Respect the reviewer's time by giving them the very best you've got after learning about and applying all the good advice you could find.

Do you have an article or essay about the writing craft that would be helpful to the whole writing community?




Editor's Picks

 
STATIC
You Gave Me How Many Stars?  (E)
If you've received a review from me, this explains the rating that accompanied the review.
#2112196 by Jeremy | 21 Years On WDC

 What Is A Review?  (E)
Written for the Writing Center, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
#2232363 by Lilli 🧿 ☕

BOOK
Kiya's Big Book of Writing Guidelines  (E)
For all tips and guidelines to help improve your writing skills.
#1299892 by iKïyå§ama-House Targaryen

 
STATIC
Substance of the Story: Fiction Writing  (13+)
Fiction writers might learn the construction of a story from the screen writers.
#1225770 by Joy

 Checklist for Reviewing Your Own Work  (E)
A checklist I used for reviewing my writing. Geared for fiction
#2302466 by Damon Nomad

 
STATIC
Reviewing thoughts by: Nixie   (E)
Where to begin? Am I qualified? What if I hurt someone's feelings?
#2296005 by Nixie

FORUM
Reviewing Advice Forum  (E)
A place for Newbies to seek advice about reviewing
#2292893 by Lornda

 WHY I LOVE REVIEWING  (E)
As Much As I Love Reading
#2284048 by Naomi

 Robert’s Read, Rate, Review Remarks  (ASR)
Everyone's a critic: My rating/reviewing criteria
#1007567 by Robert Waltz

 Rating & Reviewing Philosophy  (ASR)
An explanation of why I rate and review the way I do.
#2233674 by Jeff

 Writing Tutorials  (13+)
Brief essays offering writing tips for aspiring writers
#2303129 by Riverd0g

 
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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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Ask & Answer

Replies to my last Short Stories newsletter "Describing Characters"  that asked: How do you incorporate descriptions of characters into your stories?

s wrote: This is the sort of newsletter that should be compulsory for all fiction writers. So many times in stories do we have to wade through descriptions of how a character looks when it means nothing in the long run. It is so common here on WdC; it's like just reading a list of stats for a sportsperson. You are right - show us who the person is by how they act; that will have much more relevance.

Wow. Thank you for the "compulsory." That is a nice reply to get for my work.

Beholden wrote: Once again, I have to thank you for featuring one of my stories in your Editor's Picks section, this time a little thing called Mole that I wrote for children.

The thanks go to you. It's always a pleasure to find the many things you are putting out for the community when I search for items to feature.

W.D.Wilcox wrote: Good job

Thank you. *Smile*

Riverd0g wrote: I have a folder of writing tips, there are three items, all extremely brief, but their message is very potent. "Writing Tutorials" 

Great! Thank you. I have added the link to my Editor's Picks also.

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