  Short Stories
This week: The Bare Branches Edited by: Legerdemain  
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The Bare Branches
In my part of the world, Spring seemed to arrive slowly this year. The bare branches seemed out of place on a few warm days, I actually started to wonder if one of my trees died over the winter. Nothing appeared to be happening. Then the days got a bit longer and buds appeared. A few weeks of warmth and now the leaves are fully out and collecting the rains that never end this week. I took a good look at one of my trees and saw it was desperate need of pruning. The smaller branches are bending over with the weight of the rain. I need to take away some of the insignificant wood and let the supporting branches flourish.
Much like a short story, you start with the bare basics. This cool story idea forms in your head and starts to grow as you pound away on your keyboard. You follow your characters - documenting every thought, every step until it's all down, fleshed out on your screen. If you're like me, you then bring out the critical reading glasses and realize to make it stronger, you have to cut out the weak, make it flourish. Check your spelling, listen to your grammar demon and kill off unnecessary add-ons. And if you gave it good strong bare branches, you will create something beautiful.
Get out your pruning shears, and Write On!
This month's question: What is your editing style? Send in your answer below!  Editors love feedback!
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#2083007 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: The dog Michael trained to sniff out explosives had been with him for two years. Michael’s letters and e-mails home usually included a picture of Bradley and a story about his antics. John loved Bradley as much as he could love anyone.
“Was Bradley also killed?” I asked, fearing the answer.
“No,” Sergeant Burns said. “Bradley wasn’t with Michael that day. He wasn’t needed for the mission so Michael left him at the kennel.”
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#2081358 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: "They're back," he said the previous night through the phone. "They escaped." Cara listened to him and stared at the 12:03 am on her alarm clock. "I know I should not contact you but . . ." His voice dropped to a whisper, "They're coming." He disconnected the call.
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#2083016 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: He had never before bought his own gas. Sonny hadn't had to, since grandfather was always in the passenger seat with him.
Excerpt: “He seems friendly enough, though, right?”
“The sword was covered in blood, Dan.”
Excerpt: "That song, that was just playing, reminds me of your sister.... Debra."
I chuckled because he had the biggest smile on his face when he said it.
Excerpt: Loretta turned to her partner; eyes watering, chin wobbling. “What just happened?”
Ronald tapped his toe. “He didn’t pick us, Lori. That’s what.”
“But, how could he not pick us? We’ve been with him all our lives.” She sniffed, and her leather squeaked as she rocked back and forward. “I’d do anything for him.”
Excerpt: Yes, I married a gold prospector. Marvin earned his livelihood as a machinist and gold prospecting became a hobby. Even before, he dabbled in it now and then and it became quite exciting for him and I learned to like it too. |
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This month's question: What is your editing style? Send in your answer below! Editors love feedback!
Last month's question: What is your favorite post-apocalyptic scene?
A*Monaing*Faith  responded: Never really thought about how post-apocalyptic and dystopian don't necessarily mean the same thing....this article put me in the mind of Disney's flop, Tomorrowland. My fav scene from that movie was Dr. House going on about how important or mental energy is. If all we ever give credit to are 'end of days' survival themes we just may be giving into, and exacerbating, our own demise...deep stuff, shame it went over most peoples heads.
willwilcox replied: My favorite was in 'Planet Of The Apes' with the statue of liberty barely sticking up out of the water and Charlton Heston in all his awesomeness. Later, a lot of movies tried to do the same thing. But this one was the first. |
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Short Stories: May 04, 2016 Issue [#7630]
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