Giving Real Characters Fantasy Elements Editor: Legerdemain 
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| This newsletter aims to help the Writing.com short story author hone their craft and improve their skills. I would also 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. |
Giving Real Characters Fantasy Elements
I was reading a story this week where the author gave a non-fantasy character some fantasy-like elements. The girl was tall but narrow (like a nymph) and had light hair that looked like silver satin, later described as the silver strings on a harp. It gave me the idea that this character might do something extraordinary in the story, and the author was setting the tone by giving some fantastical elements to her nature.
I've seen other times when brutish characters are tall and ogre-like. We expect them to eat like hogs and break things at every turn. Even Disney got in on the act with Wreck It Ralph not knowing his own strength. Some of these characteristics are evident in tales such as myths and biblical stories.
This could be an advantage when working with a limited word count. If you give your character some traits similar to a fantasy element like an elf, your reader will expect your character to act similarly. This gives you the advantage of not having to describe every detail, you can merely infer traits with known images. While a reader who doesn't read much fantasy might miss shaping the character the way you intend, many will catch your clues.
In the opposite manner, one would expect a character given the gentle nature of a wind sprite to be flighty and frivolous, instead, you could have that character act the complete opposite, and your reader would know something momentous is happening. A small and gentle character could be used as a surprise element to cause chaos and disruption to the storyline.
Next time you create a character, think about trait inference to save some word count. Write on!
This month's question: Have you used an expected character trait to create an unexpected twist?
Send in your reply below!  Editors love feedback! |
WDC AUGUST SITE CONTEST
Character Prompt for August 2026:
Write a story about a supporting character's experience.
For example: What's it like playing second fiddle to the protagonist?
Or being a superhero's less powerful sidekick? Or a villain's minion?
Or just not being the focal point of a narrative?
Excerpt: Linda had been in the ancient forest for three days. At least, she thought it was three days. Time had become slippery ever since she befriended a parrot with the conversational habits of a caffeinated barista.
Excerpt: The boy skewered the worm with the hook and tossed it into the water with one hand. The boat rocked in recoil. Small waves from the boat met tiny ones from the baited float, slapping them before merging with the stillness of the lake.
| | | The Last Passenger (E) When grief boards a mysterious wagon, love is finally allowed to stay behind. #2363196 by Seb   |
Excerpt: Every evening, the old wagon crossed the abandoned railway bridge, although no tracks had survived the floods. The villagers never questioned it. Some things simply refused to admit they were finished.
| |  | Just MaryAnn (13+) Trying to be a mother when you're not, requires love, patience, and time. |
Excerpt: The rain had a habit of drumming a very specific rhythm against the kitchen window, a sound that always pulled me back to my first year in this house. Looking out at the gray afternoon, I adjusted the sleeves of my cardigan and stirred a pot of soup. My own childhood was a patchwork of slamming doors, raised voices, and the heavy, suffocating scent of guilt.
Excerpt: Chicken, New Mexico, has much to thank Thompson of One Blue Moon for. He it was who wrote of the Texas Chicken and, in doing so, caused the occasional confusion that allowed Chicken NM to be noticed by the world. I confess that I was one of those who found themselves in the wrong Chicken when seeking to retrace Moon's steps to his fabled destination.
Excerpt: The thing Nathan liked about doing freelance during his leave of absence was the ability to develop his own stories. Quirky, offbeat, definitely ‘noncommercial’ pieces, that would never ordinarily get priority. On the other hand it was really helpful if the newsroom would cover expenses, so Nathan shaved and put on a jacket and went to see Cohen in his office, in person. “I want to do the Waingarten Procession,” he told Cohen. “Human interest piece, okay?”
| |  | Invalid Item This item number is not valid. #2363051 by Not Available. |
Excerpt: Trent was taking his usual stroll past the park at night. Suddenly, he heard a long scream.
“Leave me alone!”
Excerpt: "Tell me again why you are here?” Gregon asks Shairna, with a silent letter I, after he sees her enter his Meeting Chamber and sits behind his hovering flat desk with a Data Monitor on it. After he sits down, he starts tapping away on his Data Monitor. |
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This month's question: Have you used an expected character trait to create an unexpected twist?
Send in your reply below! Editors love feedback!
"Short Stories Newsletter (June 17, 2026)" 's question: Do you interview others to get a better picture of an experience?
Os is Heartbroken: ha! good newsletter. My novels are set in Chicago, and I'm in New Zealand so I had to research a lot of stuff on Illinois law, from the age of consent and of drinking, to what happens with emanicipation of a minor, guardianship, and inheritance. And a bunch of medical stuff, including costs. Some things I've been able to 'state' and some things I do a 'mention stuff vaguely' so I don't get called out about an exact thing not being exact.
I've not 'interviewed' per se, but if I happen to be able to research IRL then I'll talk to people about this and that.
Brittany L. Engels: Thank you so much for including my story in your editor's picks!
As for the question of do I press on or dive into research... I like to deep dive. Though I didn't have to when writing the Guardian Dogs story, as my family actually has a small sheep farm.
I hope everything goes well with selling your house, I know that can be a very stressful experience.
Thank you again for the mention! -Brit 
Mousethyme is camping: Once in a while I will consult someone if I can. More often than not, there is no one available and I have to rely on my own mind and what is written.
Apondia: As a journalist I have interviewed others for comments to use in an article. I found one of the best parts of writing an article is gaining other peoples knowledge about any given subject.
myladydragon: Not often.
Thanks so much for your responses! L~ |
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Short Stories: August 12, 2026 Issue [#13896]
