  Short Stories
This week: The Components of Story Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week. |
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"Every story I create creates me. I write to create myself." ~ Octavia E. Butler
Why do you write? Is it as simple as having stories inside you demanding to be written? Is money your inspiration, or do you want to be famous? Do you want to be remembered for the words you've written? No matter the reason, we're all here for the same thing: we love to write, and this site enables us to do so in a supportive, nurturing environment.
Whether yours is a novel-length manuscript or a short story someone can read in one sitting, there are a few elements each tale needs to feel complete:
Theme:
What is your story about? What is the main idea or subject? The theme is an opinion (stated or implied) about that idea. It is the main objective; the story's truth. It's the takeaway--the thing you want readers to know after reading your work. For instance, if your story is about gun violence, your theme might be that the United States needs tougher gun laws.
Plot:
A sequence of events/scenes to support your theme. The plot is what happens, in what order things happen, and why they occur--how events and characters are revealed in your story. Your plot may be linear (things happen in sequence by moving forward in time), or you may choose to incorporate flashbacks and/or flashforwards to divulge missing pieces of important information, but use these techniques sparingly. Too much jumping around confuses and frustrates the reader.
Once again using the example of gun violence, your plot is what happens to and around your characters to support the belief that the United States needs stricter gun laws.
Character:
The persons/animals/objects who act out the events in your story. Writers can reveal character by stating it outright (he towered over her, his six-foot-three-inch-frame imposing, menacing) or through his or her actions and how other characters respond to them.
The protagonist is the story's hero or heroine--the main character. Sometimes readers experience events (plot) through the protagonist's eyes, and sometimes he or she is but one of many points of view through which readers experience the story.
The antagonist is your main character's nemesis: Lex Luthor, Moriarty, Randall Flagg, The Man in Black, Hannibal Lecter, Voldemort, Nurse Ratched, Annie Wilkes. Every hero needs a nemesis, and these are some of my favorites. People love to hate a good villain, but not all antagonists need be villainous ... or human, for that matter. Your story's antagonist might be an animal, a mythical creature, or even mother nature herself. One thing they all have in common, however, is they stand in the way (generate conflict/crisis) of your hero achieving his goal.
Setting:
The setting is where everything happens. Referring back to our theme of stricter gun laws, American inner-cities might be a good place to start. And setting isn't only where something happens but when. A story about gun violence would pack a bigger punch set in 2015 than 1900, for example.
Readers should know exactly where and when they are, and the sooner the better. Writers can reveal setting by stating it directly ("The man in Black fled across the Desert, and the Gunslinger followed"), or via dialogue, thoughts, and/or characters experiencing their surroundings.
Setting affects the mood, atmosphere, and tone of your story. It reinforces character behaviors and sometimes is a character itself. Use all your senses. Allow readers to hear, see, smell, feel, and taste what your characters experience. Intimate details support realism and enable readers to suspend disbelief.
Dialogue
This is a touchy topic for many writers. Love it or hate it, dialogue is a reality for every writer. The question is how to do it effectively? The puritans among us would have everyone writing dialogue in complete sentences and without the use of contractions. The problem, though, is people don't talk like that. In addition, we rarely call each other by name. I'd be willing to bet I don't call my husband by his name more than once per day, if that, and only if/when I want his attention. People simply don't use each other's names during everyday, normal conversation. Can you imagine what that would look and sound like?
"Good morning, Mary. How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you for asking. How are you, John?"
"I'm good, Mary. Much better since I got that promotion."
"Congratulations, John! I knew you could do it."
Yawn! In order to write realistic dialogue, one must pay attention to and really hear how people speak. Eavesdrop, if you must. Take notes. Plant yourself where people are talking (coffee shops, restaurants, etc.) and just listen. Sometimes sentences are incomplete, cut off, or fade away into nothingness as the speaker loses his or her train of thought.
There are two hilarious websites called Overheard Everywhere and Overheard in London where people can post snippets of overheard conversations. As you can see, most are short, incomplete sentences that contain contractions and oftentimes make no sense. Honestly, it's almost impossible to scroll through these without getting at least one story idea.
These are but a few components that combine to create believable stories. Have you written something you'd like to share? Do you have something you'd like to add to the discussion? Respond to this newsletter and I will include your comments in next month's edition.
"I think the job of writing and literature is to encourage each one of us to believe that we're living in a story." ~ Naomi Shihab Nye
P.S. Everyone who shares their thoughts about this week's topic will receive an exclusive trinket. I will retire this month's limited-edition trinket at 11:59 p.m. WDC time on August 8, 2017, when my next short stories newsletter goes live.
Thank you for reading.
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I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. I occasionally feature static items by members who are no longer with us; some have passed away, while others simply aren't active members. Their absence doesn't render their work any less relevant, and if it fits the week's topic I will include it.
Thank you, and have a great week!
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The following is in response to "The Architect" :
Elisa the Bunny Stik  writes: First off, I was rather surprised (and delighted) to see such an old story of mine shared in this NL. It was intended to be part of a five story collection, but the main character of third story wastes so submissive I ran into something much worse than Writer'Block. That story has been sitting unfinished for *gulp* 12 years or so.
Thing is, to get past that logjam, I'm not sure how much a Myers-Briggs test will help, especially since A) multiple test takings almost always result in multiple results for the same person and B) the results rely heavily on the Barnum Effect in order to get people's attention. Plus, when it comes to these tests, it's so easy to make the results a self-fulfilling prophesy. It makes me glad I never had to take the test for work.
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Azrael Tseng  writes: I used to be a strong ENFP in my youth, but over the years somehow evolved into ENFJ. From Campaigner to Protagonist. I guess that reflects how my values have become more set instead of fluid. Oh, just to illustrate how much of an F I am, I cry buckets during movies while my wife just laughs at my waterworks.
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Sum1  writes: Hmmmm... ISTJ-A. Pretty common person from what I read.
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Quick-Quill  writes: If I remember right I'm an INJP I see in my daughter more of what you are. She loves doing, helping, making things better. While she's an Admin/assit at US BANK, she finds the culture of mediocrity frustrating. That an entire company accepts the idea, its just Okay, there's no need to strive to make it better or more profitable. She love helping people and in the process, helping them to become better at their job or more productive.
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Princess Megan Rose GOT Fox  writes: Working in nursing, I run into people I would never live up and I mean staff. I will hug a patient and offer support. The personality test was interesting and I am sensitive, caring and trying to do a good job. Being burned out happens. The world is full of different personalities and keeps the world interesting. We all have a story to tell, good or bad.
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Prosperous Snow celebrating  writes: I took the test and here are my results. I'm a Mediator Personality (INFP-T). I'm 70% introvert, 86% intuitive, 67% feeling, 86% perspective, and 54% turbulent. As a Mediator my role is diplomat and my strategy is constant improvement.
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Sand Castles Shopgirl 739  writes: I checked out the Personality test link and gave the test a whirl. Interesting results and I would have to agree with their assessment. It really does explain a lot, to say the very least. I got The Advocate result. Not surprising actually. The in depth descriptions made for some very interesting and I insightful reading. Great newsletter!
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BIG BAD WOLF is hopping  writes: Got to be careful with labels.
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Toradel'lin writes: That Jungian personality rubbish is just psuedoscience. It has as much basis in reality as astrological descriptions of personality. Please don't propagate psuedoscience BS.
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Osirantinous  writes: I'm a Logician too - but an ISTJ. Every time I take this test in all its different formats I'm an ISTJ. I'm also Capricorn and hit those dots too. I like your comment about the work and then being asked to work harder. I'm the same - I put everything into my job and if someone tells me to work harder (often with less resources) that's a sure-fire why to get me really, really annoyed. I was once told I care too much (about the job) and that was about a red flag to a bull too! Oh, I could go on a very long rant. Oddly, I never look at these types with regards to my characters though some tend to take on the 'better' Capricorn qualities.
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dragonwoman writes: I'm with you about hating labels. The minute I get labelled, I want to prove I'm nothing like the label I've been give. Logically,(lol) I harbour my illogicalness like a secret treasure, revelling in it and loving it. Who ever you are, enjoy it!
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Lady Elizabeth Mormont writes: This newsletter has definitely left me with something to consider. Perhaps I should have my major characters in my next novel take the test to see what they would be considered. Then I can see if characters are too similar, too different, and maybe get some extra trait ideas!
I am an INFP, also a less common personality type. This is the Mediator type. I have taken this test many times and while I am always close to equal for the FP portion, it always comes out with FP. The IN is consistently very high. I always feel like it's actually fairly accurate.
"Fantasy worlds in particular fascinate Mediators, more than any other personality type." It certainly does explain a lot about my reading/writing habits, as well as my wandering mind. It also notes "Left unchecked, Mediators may start to lose touch, withdrawing into “hermit mode”, and it can take a great deal of energy from their friends or partner to bring them back to the real world." My bad, guys!
Shakespeare, Tolkien, and Bjork rank among other Mediators, so it looks like I'm in good company.
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Lady K Bear writes: Hi Shannon,
I'm an INFP! I'm the emotional side I think. I don't recall the exact description to paraphrase so I've copied it here from https://www.16personalities.com/infp-personality:
INFP Personality (“The Mediator”)
INFP personalities are true idealists, always looking for the hint of good in even the worst of people and events, searching for ways to make things better. While they may be perceived as calm, reserved, or even shy, INFPs have an inner flame and passion that can truly shine. Comprising just 4% of the population, the risk of feeling misunderstood is unfortunately high for the INFP personality type – but when they find like-minded people to spend their time with, the harmony they feel will be a fountain of joy and inspiration.
INFP personality
Being a part of the Diplomat personality group, INFPs are guided by their principles, rather than by logic (Analysts), excitement (Explorers), or practicality (Sentinels). When deciding how to move forward, they will look to honor, beauty, morality and virtue – INFPs are led by the purity of their intent, not rewards and punishments. People who share the INFP personality type are proud of this quality, and rightly so, but not everyone understands the drive behind these feelings, and it can lead to isolation.
"All that is gold does not glitter; not all those who wander are lost;
the old that is strong does not wither;
deep roots are not reached by the frost." ~J. R. R. Tolkien
We Know What We Are, but Know Not What We May Be
At their best, these qualities enable INFPs to communicate deeply with others, easily speaking in metaphors and parables, and understanding and creating symbols to share their ideas. The strength of this intuitive communication style lends itself well to creative works, and it comes as no surprise that many famous INFPs are poets, writers and actors. Understanding themselves and their place in the world is important to INFPs, and they explore these ideas by projecting themselves into their work.
INFPs have a talent for self-expression, revealing their beauty and their secrets through metaphors and fictional characters.
INFPs’ ability with language doesn’t stop with their native tongue, either – as with most people who share the Diplomat personality types, they are considered gifted when it comes to learning a second (or third!) language. Their gift for communication also lends itself well to INFPs’ desire for harmony, a recurring theme with Diplomats, and helps them to move forward as they find their calling.
Listen to Many People, but Talk to Few
Unlike their Extraverted cousins though, INFPs will focus their attention on just a few people, a single worthy cause – spread too thinly, they’ll run out of energy, and even become dejected and overwhelmed by all the bad in the world that they can’t fix. This is a sad sight for INFPs’ friends, who will come to depend on their rosy outlook.
If they are not careful, INFPs can lose themselves in their quest for good and neglect the day-to-day upkeep that life demands. INFPs often drift into deep thought, enjoying contemplating the hypothetical and the philosophical more than any other personality type. Left unchecked, INFPs may start to lose touch, withdrawing into "hermit mode", and it can take a great deal of energy from their friends or partner to bring them back to the real world.
Luckily, like the flowers in spring, INFP’s affection, creativity, altruism and idealism will always come back, rewarding them and those they love perhaps not with logic and utility, but with a world view that inspires compassion, kindness and beauty wherever they go.
I don't agree with every point either, and I have a LOT of extroverted traits as well, but I do feel that this fits me more than the other personality types presented by the Myers-Briggs test.
Thanks for sharing,
LadyK
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Cadie Laine writes: Personality tests can be a great tool, some take them too far and make them ore than what they should be. Instead of putting all the same labeled people on one group maybe your boss should have put a few from each group in one group. Mixing the people up would to me make for a better way to work because you get more when you don't have the same type of people always hanging out together.
I hope that makes sense.
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Jaeff | KBtW of the Free Folk  writes: I'm a Logistician (ISTJ), a "practical and and fact-minded individual whose reliability cannot be doubted." Apparently my brethren include Denzel Washington, Angela Merkel, Natalie Portman, and Anthony Hopkins. That's pretty good company to be in! 
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ElizabethHayes-DaughterofIAM  writes: I enjoyed this newsletter. Because of it, I may just go and find out what mine is. Boy, won't that be something!  I like inspirational quotes as well. However, there is a time and place for them. I hate being put in a box, labeled "slow" or whatever else one wants to add.
Here's my motto about me, and who I am as a person: "I AM Just Me. Get Over It." If people can't accept or like me for who I am, then, they're really not worth my time and energy. I won't change for anyone. IF I change, it's going to be for ME - that's it.
Great newsletter! Too bad I missed the trinket from the last newsletter though. *sigh* It was too cute.
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dragonwoman writes: I love the idea of using the lists in links you included. My problem would be picking which ones to use. Maybe I'd use more than one since as you so aptly put it, we can't all be the same!
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eyestar~* writes: Wow! this is an expressive piece and I so agree about letting labels define a whole person and that tools like the one you mention can be helpful to a point. I have found that we can also change as we grow and experience more of life and can develop what may be termed less acitvated qualities. What a wonderful notion to use this method to build characters. Very insightful and thanks for sharing yourself.
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GeminiGem of House Lannister writes: Perhaps it is my background in psychology, but I find things like personality types, even based on zodiac signs intriguing. Do I think you can sum up an individual with a personality quiz? No. But I think you can get some insights into yourself or other people that way. I think it good way to think about building a character, which is why (sorry for the shameless self-promotion) created "Zodiac Contest/CONTEST CLOSED" .
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Hannah ♫♥♫ writes: Great read! I did write a campfire when I first came on WDC about a girl escaping from an asylum. I remember taking that personality test years ago.
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Dragon is hiding  writes: Those personality quizzes are always fun to do. I forget which one I am, but it's definitely IN-something.
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LinnAnn -book writer  writes: Hello. I've read and taken one of those tests before. I can't remember what my type was. lol I had not thought of using it toward a character. That is a very interesting suggestion. Thanks.
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Beacon - House Night's Watch  writes: Hi there
I really liked your newsletter and I enjoy reading it because it will give me ideas how to write out my character. I have struggled to try to name my character before. Well I hope you keep going with the newsletters. I will keep my eye out on it. I would like to have the trinket, please.
Thanks
Beacon43
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ladeecaid writes: Your newsletter was wonderful. I loved it. I totally dug the personality assessment. I love tests that have no right or wrong answers. My daughter has a book of personalities. She'd left it laying around one day, and I snatched it. The book would be perfect for hunting the right character for any of my stories, but she snatched it back, and I haven't seen it since. She would let me use it if I asked her, but it's one of those out of sight, out of mind things. I forgot to ask her about it.
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Celtic SeaWolf writes: I'm new, but since I enjoy writing short stories, I signed up for this newsletter. I think this is only second one I have recieved, but I do enjoy them. I enjoy the opportunity to read new short stories by other folks and I enjoy the focus of the newsletter- it helps in character creation and creating certain character responses within the stories I write. I will also admit that the lure of a trinket- yes I have been bitten by the trinket bug already, assisted in getting me to respond to this newletter.
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sindbad  writes: Hi,
This is a interesting take on logician or INTP personalities. I agree with you on the personality trait and freedom and most of all an inherent confident about what they can deliver and what they cant. Such self actualization is a hallmark of a logician. I enjoyed going through all the examples and breakdown your job entails and did feel the envy. I have been a fan of your newsletter and awe inspiring topics you delve. I wish you all the best and eagerly wait for your fortnightly morsel of intellectual treats.
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Short Stories: July 12, 2017 Issue [#8343]
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