  Short Stories
This week: The Fear of Writing Edited by: Legerdemain  
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The Fear of Writing
I see a lot of new member posts saying they're nervous about posting their work. Why?
If you get anxious, please realize that there's nothing wrong with you. It just shows that you care about writing. ~ Angela Booth
Confronting the fear of other people reading your work can be hard to overcome. The thought of someone else reading a story that so far, has only been read by you and your cat, can be intimidating. That fear can be dissolved if you look at success one step at a time.
Accept that you've worked hard on your story and it's ready for outside help. You've read your work hundreds of times. The edit process has turned your brain into swiss cheese. New eyes roaming over your story can help spot grammar and plot errors.
Topophobia ~ Stage Fright
Now come some reviews, lurking in your inbox, daring you to read them. Open them! Hopefully, if it's a well-written review, you'll get the good news and the bad news. Good reviewers will tell you what they liked about your story and what needs some TLC. Sometimes it takes a little detective work on the author's part to separate the good advice from the bad.
Papyrophobia ~ Fear of Paper
When I'm ready to edit a story, I print out the reviews I've received and then I bring out a highlighter. I highlight and separate the complimentary comments from the constructive criticism. I read all the change suggestions and examine the story to see if I agree. Some suggestions can be personal opinion about the story and some point out mistakes in plot and construction. I edit and save it as a new draft, I don't throw out the old until drafting is completed. Then I reread the story to see if the changes work.
Ataxophobia ~ Fear of Disorder
Writing is hard work. Not all of us have the time to sit and write eight hours a day. Not all of us have that attention span. But every day you can learn to write more effectively, use your time wisely, and improve yourself. Having help from your peers can help you improve technically. I think it's easier to hear criticism from a peer than fluffy compliments from relatives or friends.
So be yourself, and as always, Write On!
This month's question: What is your biggest fear when making your work public? Send in your answer below!  Editors love feedback!
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This item number is not valid.
#2087837 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: The expectation of what a female's life should be according to her parents was stifling to Elena. Something she fought against all her life. That struggle has left an invisible deep scar. It was expected that she should doll herself up all the time in order to catch a man, an important man.
Excerpt: On closer inspection, she saw a photo caught in the grate and walked over and gently pulled it loose. She turned it over and three children looked back at her, dressed in older style of clothing. Checking the date, she wondered who had lost it, then dialed her friend Rhonda for help.
Excerpt: Predictably, my brother, Bud, taunted me. "Well, little miss goody two-shoes, what did you do? You gotta be in trouble for Mama to call you to the kitchen." His mocking laughter trailed off as I hurried to obey.
Excerpt: This forum is designed to get your creative juices flowing. 10,000 gps will be given away every 24 hours!
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2100838 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: As he expected, Mandy was tending bar – cute little Miranda Girard, brown and brown, about five-two, wonderful, slender athletic body, a mighty-mite with a shape to die for. She was leaning on the east end of the bar, engrossed in her smart phone, bestowing her presence on a lucky young fellow of unimpressive description who often sat at that end of the bar in the evening and nursed a brew while he worked on his laptop. She did not see Sean coming. ‘Perfect,’ Sean thought, and before she looked up, he was sliding onto the barstool just a couple of feet to her right, and these words had left his mouth: “Hey, Mandy, babe, get me a Virgin Mary.”
Excerpt: A glass of iced tea was placed in front of me. I looked up at the man who served it. His eyes were tired and sad, his face weathered by the strains of life. A friendly smile formed on his face. I knew him, but I just couldn't place him.
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This item number is not valid.
#2147639 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: Leroy’s soulful brown eyes and lopsided smile had lured more than one lovely lady a little too close for her own good. He had always had a way with women. He knew his brother, Ron, still held hard feelings from when Ron’s high school sweetheart had ended up preferring Leroy. He didn’t regret hooking up with Ron’s girl back then, but now he sure regrets having pissed off Ron. He’s Leroy’s only chance of getting out of this mess. Surely Ron will be able to see that.
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A Christmas story where standing back and watching people can be surprising.
#2142977 by Myles Abroad  |
Excerpt: People are People.
It's a phrase I've repeated often on my return from a foreign trip. It's true. We have preconceived notions of cultures and generally slot people into stereotypes, but in my experience, we all strive for the same things. We have friends, family and enemies. We work to improve our lot in life and for those we care about. But ultimately, we all want to share our lives with others.
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This month's question: What is your biggest fear when making your work public? Send in your answer below! Editors love feedback!
Last month's question: Where do you hide your bodies?
haldo advised: A Peat bog works best for hiding the bodies... Ooops! My inside voice!
 Nice idea!
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Short Stories: February 07, 2018 Issue [#8750]
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