  Short Stories
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Hello. Red Writing Hood <3  and I exchanged newsletters for three months. She can be found each of those months in the Poetry Newsletter.
This issue I'll share my thoughts on the unrealistic "romance" found in some stories, especially "male-lit" stories and novels.
Next week's editor will be Legerdemain 
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Let's Keep It Real
The heavy, dumpy woman in the mirror stared back at the middle-aged Dana Rice. “Don’t understand why Mrs. Smythe hired me over those younger women, but glad she did,” she mumbled to herself before turning to grab her purse.
After her husband’s desertion for a new wife, a trophy wife, Dana needed to work, but the position as executive assistant to Jason Smythe of Smythe Electronics surprised her. Even though she would meet her employer for the first time this morning, she knew about his company. However having his mother not only hire her but train her was a shock. “Maybe she understood that even if all my northern hemisphere has slid south, that didn’t take away my mental abilities and skills,” she voiced aloud as she drove to the office.
The preceding paragraphs to a story give the reader a realistic introduction to the main character. We know that Dana is no longer young and that she doesn’t have the sleek body so often found in the heroine of a story. We get the background needed to know how the company owner’s mother hired and trained her. We discover that Dana has yet to meet her employer.
The minute Dana entered her office to discover the dark-haired, young Adonis waiting for her, she knew why a young woman hadn’t gained the position: Momma bear wanted to protect her cub.
Okay, we still have a believable story. However, if we continue with a twist in the later part of the story:
Jason wrapped his arms around Dana. “I tried to forget you, but I can’t.” He lowered his head to capture her mouth with his.
Most readers would snort and toss the story aside. Few, if any, would believe that a young, handsome man would fall in love with an older, pudgy woman.
Yet, when we read male-lit, rather than chick-lit, we find men with flabby muscles and big bellies attracting young nymphs. Unless the men are rich, why or what makes that picture acceptable to readers? The idea of an older, out-of-shape woman being romanced by a young stud is no less real than the idea of the reverse happening. Why do “male” stories seem to contain such unbelievable romance?
According to Elaine Viets, InSinC December 2005 as reprinted from the Lipstick Chronicles blog from August, “Too many men have this touchingly naive belief that beautiful young women will love them for their flabby bodies and fine minds. Even smart men fall for this fantasy.”
We, as writers, need to keep the plot real for the readers. If attractive younger people should fall in love with unattractive much older people, there should be reasons that are covered in depth so that readers can accept those reasons, since the likelihood of such a thing actually happening is unlikely.
The example given might be considered extreme, yet we find lack of realism in stories too often. Making the stories real takes work, but the result is well-written stories that help hold the reader’s attention. So let’s keep it real.
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From Our Readers
Since this is my first issue, no one sent any feedback. Hmmm . . . wonder if there is any connection. 
Until next month, have fun reading, reviewing, and writing well-developed stories.
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Short Stories: February 22, 2006 Issue [#841]
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