  Short Stories
This week: Who? Where? Characters in situations! Edited by: THANKful Sonali LOVES DAD  
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| Stuck for a plot? Put your characters in different places and situations and see what happens! |
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Hallo, Readers!
So there's a contest, with a deadline coming up, and you don't have an idea for a story. Or you just feel like writing, but the blank page (screen) stares at you dauntingly.
Here are some steps that might work!
Take a couple of characters. Who are they? What are their names? How are they related to each other? Let's say these two are - um - Beaver and Troll. And they're best friends.
So why are they on a park bench together? Is it a holiday? From what - work, college, school? Why did they choose to go to the park on their holiday? What are they thinking, feeling, saying to each other?
Now -- do you want to give this a deeper spin, and deal with an issue? How about the human v/s nature conflict -- humankind has taken over so much natural land, for housing, farming, commercial activity, and whatever it is we humans do, the poor beavers and trolls have no place to go. So they've wound up on the park bench and now we have to move on to the next picture.
Why are they on someone's gate? Looking for adventure? Trying to escape? Or is the gate a metaphor, too, for something else, a gateway to the future, which holds
The one person in the whole world who could possibly help them! Who is he? What does he symbolise? Can he give them the gift they are asking for, that of adventure, or that of their home back, or is he merely someone who delivers gifts which others have selected and wrapped? So is he really as powerful as he's made out to be, or, in fact, a guy who is totally overworked one night of the year ... (don't really know about the other 364 nights!)
Does he call on anyone else for help?
Can the person help? What twists and turns occur, with the addition of the character? How does the story end?
So, when stuck for an idea, browse through a magazine or newspaper and put your character in the various situations there. Hopefully, a story emerges!
Thanks for listening!
Sonali |
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Thank you for the responses to "Short Stories Newsletter (December 24, 2014)"  ! Really enjoyed them!
SkyHawk - Into The Music 
Sonali, I'm not a big fan of "reality" television in general. The exceptions have been "The Voice" and "The Sing Off." Yet while I like these music competitions, I don't care for shows like "American Idol," or "America's Got Talent." Otherwise, my "reality" viewing is either various news or sports programs, or shows that are more "documentary" style. The biggest example of this, of course is Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch." And yes, as you mentioned about "The Amazing Race," the production crew of "Deadliest Catch" whittles down hours of footage to present roughly 45 minutes of air time (plus commercials) each week of the series.
I think what I like about "Deadliest Catch" versus other shows is that the crews aren't competing for some prize, but to ensure their livelihoods. Plus, you've seen how various crews and captains have changed over time. The show has also present the fact that these guys, despite their various arguments / disagreements / confrontations, are truly a brotherhood. This was especially true with the death several seasons ago of Captain Phil Harris due to stroke complications To me, this is real drama (especially when punctuated by various moments of comedy, like some of the pranks the various crews have played on each other over the years).
Elfin Dragon-finally published 
I admit, at first I wasn't sure where you were going with reality TV but you got me there.  I don't watch much reality TV. The only things I do watch are "Hell's Kitchen", "Kitchen Nightmares", "Dancing With the Stars" and "So You Think You Can Dance". The first two because I know who Gordon Ramsey really is. He's the kind, understanding, want to help you succeed person in "Kitchen Nightmares". "Hell's Kitchen" is an extremely compact version. He has 15 Missiolan Stars and you can see why on this show. The other two shows? Well I don't go for competitions where I can hear people singing off key (I grew up singing, a terrible burden, lol). And these two shows are about the love of dance as an art. A wonderful thing.
Angus 
Hi Sonali! I read your article about 'The Amazing Race' and I have a couple of questions (since you said you're addicted to it): I got into a little late this last season, and I missed the ending. Who won? And was that one armed girl the same girl who had it bit off by a shark in Hawaii a few years ago? I think her name was Bethany...
Just curious...Happy Holidays! ~Angus~ |
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Short Stories: March 18, 2015 Issue [#6879]
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