  Short Stories
This week: The Story Within 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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In 1980 I saw a movie that, to this day, remains one of my favorites. Somewhere in Time is the film adaptation of Richard Matheson's Bid Time Return, which was published in 1975.
In the film, writer Richard Collier (played by an able-bodied Christopher Reeve) checks in at Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel and becomes enthralled with a black and white photograph hanging on the wall depicting a beautiful actress named Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour). The photo was taken 60 years earlier; McKenna is now an old woman--the same old woman, he realizes, who came to see him after one of his plays and whispered: "Come back to me."
Richard is obsessed, researching her background, career, and whether or not time travel is possible. He visits the home of McKenna's former housekeeper only to be told the actress recently passed away. Ultimately, Richard decides to travel back in time, back to 1912, to meet her.
All this for one black and white photograph.
The movie intrigued me, even at the ripe old age of twelve. After watching it, I looked at paintings and photos differently; I made up stories about them, which is why I love WDC's "Short Shots: Official WDC Contest" [ASR] and have entered multiple times.
Recently, I stumbled upon a TED Talk featuring writer Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with a Pearl Earring, and was delighted to hear she suffers from the same malady: looking at paintings and/or photographs and imagining the story within. For me, there's something about elderly faces that makes me pause. All those wrinkles, the haunted eyes, the gnarled, calloused hands. I find them beautiful, and my husband is used to me blurting, "Oh, I love his face!" when I happen upon an image that appeals to me.
Like Tracy says, give the majority a cursory glance; stop at those that speak to you in some way. Certain pictures catch your eye for a reason. Something about that particular photograph or painting sparks your creativity. Give it a chance to ignite and you might just find a story within.
Thank you for reading.
P.S. You can read the plot (Somewhere in Time) in its entirety here
P.P.S. Everyone who shares their thoughts and/or creative endeavors relating to or inspired by 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 November 28, 2017, when my next short stories newsletter goes live.
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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!
| |  | Destiny (18+)
This young man wants to have a choice--his destiny begs to differ...
#979987 by susanL  |
| | For the Future (13+)
Sometimes, for the good of the future, one person must pay the ultimate price.
#973498 by Elerad |
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The following is in response to "Fall Into Fiction" :
~  ~
Princess Megan Rose 22 Years  writes: I need to get some story ideas and write. I will be buying pumpkins and getting ready for Halloween. I have 2 paranormal romances on my Nook to read. I found this newsletter inspiring and I need to get the lead out and get busy with writing, decorating and enjoying the weather before autumn leaves. Visit a cemetery at night? Now, there's an idea! Come on Halloween!
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Angus  writes: Hi, Shannon!
Great Newsletter! October is also my favorite month, and Halloween is my favorite Holiday! I love those suggestions you gave us about how to celebrate this month, especially the ones about 'sauntering a chilly leaf-covered trail' (while reading a good horror book?) or watching the Syfi channel (my favorite one, besides the Chiller channel, except I don't get that one, darnit!). I'll be spending the month writing horror and reading Stephen King and his son Owen's newest release, 'Sleeping Beauties'! 200 pages in so far, and it's pretty good! Write on and rock on, my friend, and have a wonderful and terrifying Halloween!
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LegendaryMask❤️  writes: Great newsletter today Shannon, You have gotten my creative juices flowing now. Off to make me a new Harvest Wreath for my door. My other side of me. Thank you so much girlfriend,
Spooky with a Heartache
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BIG BAD WOLF is hopping  writes: I enjoy a good movie. Some of the best are actually those cheesy Asylum films on the Sci-Fi channel.
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Dartagnan writes: I, myself, find inspiration in every Holiday that passes. That is, except Columbus. I nor my family celebrates this holiday. The man committed genocide. Anyway, the holidays always pumps full of ideas. Christmas time is my favorite. I have several Christmas poems and new years poems.
That time of year is always fun for me.
Dartagnan
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Samberine Everose  writes: Autumn is one of my favorite season also, it has its unique elegance and sophistication, seeing those golden leaves falling and scattered.
Really, it inspired us to write, like on what you have stated and examples.
Thank you for this newsletter, it reminds me things to write and be creative this Fall.
~ ~
Jeff  writes: I love fall weather too! Unfortunately, we don't get much of it here in Southern California, but my wife and I try to make a trip to the Pacific Northwest every year to enjoy some of our favorite season. 
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dragonwoman  writes: I too enjoy fall, but am always scrambling to craft Xmas gifts so I never get time try for NaNoWriMo. But I do try to write daily. I set a half hour timer and write, either adding lines to an unfinished work or writing something new based on my large list of written prompts. Another kind of horrifying! "Invalid Item"
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GaelicQueen  writes: I'm with you Shannon, Autumn and October are my favorite time of year. I liked your article on writing small segments (75+ a day) and by the end of the month, you may enough for a short story. In past years I've participated in NaNoWriMo and I can crank out 1700 words a day. However, this year I'm not participating because going back to full-time employment has severely cut into my creative time. Re-focusing on short story lengths, I might be able to be pull off a story for Halloween.
~ ~
~ Aqua ~ writes: I don't celebrate Halloween but I like seeing the other people, especially children, dressed up in pretty, cute costumes  .
As for NaNo, I am participating this year, not to complete the 50k goal but my goal is to write at least a 1,000 words every day no matter what. It doesn't matter how many words I get written, all I have to do is write  . Here's "Invalid Item" and I am quite excited about it!
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Elfin Dragon-finally published writes: hmmm, Halloween topics? My birthday falls in the middle of October and I've never liked it. To me Halloween is a tragedy of epic proportions. And so you ask why? I'm a person of faith. Yes, many people of faith celebrate Halloween, go trick-or-treating, have mascarade parties and such. I'm not one of those. I just see the lie in it all. No, I don't hold it against anyone or "bible-thump" those around me. Not even here at WDC. I quietly go about my day, I don't enter most Halloween themed contests unless I can create a story or poem which does not focus on Halloween. Because I want to stay true to who I am.
But I love fall. I love writing about it and how fall activities can bring families together.
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Dragon is hiding  writes: At the rate Mother Nature has been acting lately, I'm starting to wonder if Fall is even coming here to SoCal.
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gingerlyme writes: Ack! Did I squeak by under the deadline?
I came across this issue when I was poking around looking for another "reason" to procrastinate. It's right up my alley, though, since I'm going through a short story phase.
I'll sign up for future issues as soon as I finish making my plea for your adorable trinket.
I'm such a sucker for shiny things.
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Jayne  writes: I get a little gloomy about fall. I'm a big fraidy-cat, so Hallowe'en is not my favorite, but I tried to get involved in some of the contests. It's already snowed here once, so we're already in hibernation mode. I always enjoy the trees changing but once those leaves drop...bleh. This year though, I've committed to: reading (I snagged the whole dark tower series to read over the winter -$1 a book!), writing, painting. Hopefully it cheers me up, otherwise I'll be a perpetual melancholy machine!
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eyestar~* writes: Thanks Shannon for this upbeat commentary. I liked the image of Fall into fiction and your encouragement to start a habit of daily writing to inspire self. Adding Halloween theme contests as potential sparks to the monthly writing fit in with your message too. My muse seems to have taken a vacation... so unfall like. LOL or maybe getting ready for hibernation. She is not much into Halloween.  A fun read.
~ ~
The following items were submitted by their authors:
| | BENT (13+)
Something is wrong at the Caldwell's Farm this Halloween, something very, very wrong...
#2100252 by Angus |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2137726 by Not Available. |
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| ASIN: B01CJ2TNQI |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 5.99
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Short Stories: November 01, 2017 Issue [#8543]
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