  Short Stories
This week: Finding a New Source Edited by: Legerdemain  
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The purpose of this newsletter is to help the Writing.com short story author hone their craft and improve their skills. Along with that I would like to inform, advocate, and create new, fresh ideas for the short story author. Write to me if you have an idea you would like presented.
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Finding A New Source
I admit, there are a few things that I consistently turn to as source for inspiration. One is the news. I read some bizarre news articles. People do and say crazy things. While I read them, I form an idea of what that person looks like (if it's not shown) and what got them to the point in life where they end up in the news. The person in my head never really looks exactly like a person I know, or see in the news. They are a mixture of characteristics I give them while reading clues in the article. The article might be real, and that person real, but in my head they take on an identity only I can see. Unless of course, I start writing about that character.
Last month I wrote about creating character sketches from people you might see on vacation. This month I'd like you to think about finding a fresh story idea. I'm not saying look in the news and write something verbatim. I like to create a fictional history for that person. Then create a new conflict and jump from there. The process is different for every person but in the end, we all have to end up with the same elements of the story.
In a short story, you have to edit word count and be concise with your descriptive work of characters and places. Make sure it's clear, but not verbose. Use the majority of the word count to dialog and moving the story. Be sure you have all the elements needed and the story flows well. Most of all, if you're entering the story in a contest, be sure you follow the rules and requirements are met. And as always, Write On!
This month's question: Where do you find story inspirations? Send in your answer below!  Editors love feedback! |
Genre of the Month: Animal / Pets The task is simple: use the genre as inspiration for a short story!
THIS contest is designed to take you back to those days. So now you TOO can write for the old pulp fiction magazines just like the 'master story-tellers' did back in the day.
This will be an on-going monthly contest. Every month I will post the 'cover art' from one of those great, old pulp magazines, and you will write a short story, of say, no more than a 1000 words, that best describes that cover.
Your Prompt for this month is to write a story including these two elements: Chocolate Ice Cream - Summer
Excerpt: It’s funny how that word – perfect – has changed over time.
Excerpt: The door slammed shut, and she heard a lock click. What did he mean, ask Charlie?/i}
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Excerpt: The strange symbol stares at me, rust red-brown as if drawn with period blood. It could be Cyrillic, Sanskrit, or even hieroglyphic, but my brain is only wired to comprehend Roman letters. The three red exclamation marks that accompany it suggest some significance unknown to me. Something about its inexplicable presence shortens the breath in my throat and I feel baby Leka tremble inside me.
Excerpt: "Please hold, while I connect your call to the Department of Recalls."
With the click of an index finger, the music started again. My urge to slam down the receiver was overwhelming. I remained on the line in the desperation of being a good citizen. My vehicle had a dangerous malfunction and I felt the need to report it. I felt it was my duty to save others from the same experience that I had suffered. So, I waited in an endless loop of red tape.
Excerpt: Each day around 12pm NOON WDC time, one of our dedicated volunteer judges will judge the previous day's entries and post a writing prompt. The contest for that prompt ends before NOON (11:59am WDC time) the next day. |
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This month's question: Where do you find story inspirations? Send in your answer below! Editors love feedback!?
Last month's question: Do you write and save character notes and emotion studies?
How do you use them in your writing?
ahlewis32  replied: I've never done any emotion studies, but I character studies. I have a form I found years ago online that I fill out at the beginning of every project. It gives me a basic idea of each of the main characters I'm working with. From there I expand and/edit based on where the story is going.
Joy  answered: Hi Leger, in answer to your question, yes, I take all kinds of notes and save things, but during the act of writing, they all go to some great beyond and I don't even think of looking for them. I only hope a residue of those notes stays inside my brain, somehow.
Quick-Quill  sent: I'm lax in this department. I don't know how to do this task with any diligence. How do you write people's actions, reactions, or interactions. I can write settings, but I just don't study people as characters. I've been in an airport a number times this last month, I never looked at people as potential characters. They all seem to do the same things, sleep, stare at their phones or talk on their phones. I'm traveling tomorrow. I'm going to start looking a people more as subjects.
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Short Stories: June 27, 2018 Issue [#8979]
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