  Short Stories
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Greetings ~ I'm honored to be your guest host for the WDC Short Story Newsletter as we welcome a new year ~ a blank page upon which to write
All that I see or seem is but a dream within a dream.
Edgar Alan Poe
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Greetings! I'd like to open with some words from a writer most of us know from his stories ~
I'm a failed poet. Maybe every novelist wants to write poetry first, finds he can't and then tries the short story which is the most demanding form after poetry. And failing at that, only then does he take up novel writing. ~ William Faulkner
And, let's take that a bit farther 'out there' and speculate on an intriguing and quickly developing form of the short story.
Speculative is defined as pertaining to, of the nature of, or characterized by speculation, contemplation, conjecture, or abstract reasoning: a speculative approach. (dictionary.com)
I note the operative word, ‘reasoning’ with a ‘speculative approach’, which is a splendid method for a short story, where a writer has the opportunity to create a straightforward plot for an ‘otherworld’ postulated on the premise ‘what if.'
Speculative fiction was at first coined as an alternative to ‘science fiction’ but has grown to encompass much cross-genre fiction writing in novels and short stories alike. Although much of speculative fiction is assumed to be ‘dark,’ it’s not all so. Speculative fiction today deals with humankind’s future (often post-apocalyptic) and past (via alternate histories) and present (via parallel world or non-human interaction). Speculative fiction also deals with cross-genre postulates blending science, mathematics, horror, adventure, mystery, science fiction, religion, action & adventure, comedy, social science, and more. Its current popularity has been fueled also by the growth of fanfiction and manga ~ introducing the art, craft, and sensory delight of speculative fiction to new readers, gamers, and writers.
Some examples today considered speculative fiction are George Orwell’s 1984}, Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 457, and, more recently Stephen King’s Needful Things, and PD James’ Children of Men.
An intriguing anthology/collection of short stories I’ve been reading combines faith and science in various forms, postulating that God exists and is the premise for science. The short stories in Karina Fabian’s Leaps of Faith are penned by mathematicians, physicists and, yes, writers. Postulates explored are, for example, whether or not an android has a soul and will a recognized church sanctify the marriage of a human to an android, and what happens to the priest who then baptizes their child.
 Speculative fiction is a great vehicle for writing short stories from an alternative viewpoint, i.e., a cat, a sentient plant, an android, a mule in an alternate wild wild west, or a mortal from the future or past. The writer can become the subject and engage the story with the subject’s full visceral perspective. Consider observing a room from the viewpoint of a cat – the smells, whisker-point assessment, sounds, means of entering and leaving, interaction with the environment and other sentient beings.
It’s also one short story form that is open to writing from non-traditional viewpoints. For example, include the writer’s story as well as that of the character, related in their own voices. Or, perhaps address the reader directly (second person) and sweeten the plot with an appearance by a character whose voice is carried in third-person. Speculative fiction is open to experimentation as varied as the genres of writing one finds in such work.
Speculative fiction most often has a theme that relates a unique challenge to the human condition, which develops throughout the story, often changing the character(s) as the story is resolved. In a short story, as opposed to a novel, one premise, one plot, can encompass both the alternate facts (historical, theological, scientific, fantastical (you think?)) and the human interaction with it (by means mundane, or magical, or scientific (including time travel by various methods physical and non-).
The dreaded 'middle' of the story is driven by the interaction of the non-linear, unique interaction of voices, planes of existence, or life forms. The end is the satisfying, if not always 'happy' resolution of the interaction and ultimate growth of the character.
Keep in mind, however, the elements of a cogent short story. Whatever the premise, whether fantastical or a different take on known reality, open with a good hook and believable premise for the story, and follow-through the development of the story (plot) to a satisfying and believable conclusion based on the characters’ actions in the story. That means, too, know your subject matter. If you’re working with mathematical possibilities or physics, or a historical era, for example, show your readers you know something about the material, Research your facts, on line or at the library, or from a friend in the field. Your curiosity piqued, postulate an alternative reality present, past or future based on your knowledge or understanding of the material, and plot the story answering the questions you pose. But refrain from including a thesis on quantum physics or a litany of historical facts - engage you readers with just enough fact to make them think your 'otherworld' could be real; invite them to join your characters - be they sentient or otherwise.
Speculative fiction welcomes experimentation in voice, point-of-view, and perspective, but keep it believable. Remember not to over cross the genres. Elements of science, mystery, and action & adventure could work in a short story, but if you add science fiction, fantasy and religion to the aforementioned, there would be too many themes to fully develop, a plethora of quandaries, leaving the questions you’ve postulated underdeveloped and, therefore, unanswered realistically, taking your reader out of the story.
So, if your muse can envision it, and you can plot from a premise a story to either prove or disprove your postulate, you’ve the foundation for a speculative fiction short story.
If you’ve such a story you’d like to submit for a chance at print publication, check out the submission guidelines for Strange Horizons, which welcomes submissions from emerging writers ~
http://www.strangehorizons.com/guidelines/fiction.shtml
Write what you know, imagine, and dream and, while you're at it, enter some of the 'otherworlds' crafted by members of our Community. |
Some speculative fiction to show the creative versatility of speculative short fiction ~ enjoy the read and share with the writers your thoughts 
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|  | Rockabee (E)
A tale of Rockabee, a town in the drop of Alder sap by the Giant's Grave in Cong, Ireland
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Have one of your own ~ check out these challenges
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Thank you for allowing me this brief respite in your virtual 'otherworld' ~ I bid you adieu ~ with my wish that the coming year bring you satisfying dreams within dreams ~ and success in your writing (and other) endeavors!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Until we next meet,
Keep Writing!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Short Stories: January 07, 2009 Issue [#2815]
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