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Printed from https://writing.com/main/books/entry_id/847962-Letter-from-the-Editor-for-May-Newsletter
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Rated: 18+ · Book · Women's · #562186
Each snowflake, like each human being is unique.
#847962 added May 30, 2019 at 5:59pm
Restrictions: None
Letter from the Editor for May Newsletter
What is your character's Phobia?

Phobia Versus Ordinary Fear

Do you have an elf that suffers from Dendrophobia?

“Lucy: Do you think you have Pantophobia, Charlie Brown?
Charlie: I don't know, what is pantophobia?
Lucy: The fear of Everything.
Charlie: THAT'S IT!!!”

Charles M. Schulz


Your character my not be like Charlie Brown and have an overwhelming fear of everything, but your character probably does have fear of some type. All of us encounter fear on a regular basis because fear has survival benefits. Fear can cause us to flee when we are faced with extreme danger or we can use the adrenalin our bodies produce when we encounter terrifying situation to help us find a solution or fight. Different people respond differently to fear. Some tend to run while others are willing to stand and fight.

A phobia is fear that exceeds the normal flight or fight reaction that is produced by ordinary fear. A phobia is an irrational aversion to something whether it is spiders or the ocean. Fear can help move the plot of a short story forward. An extreme or irrational fear can reveal a lot about the character while helping to develop the character, especially if the character has to overcome the phobia to accomplish a goal.

If you Google phobia you receive a list of several explanations beginning with what clinical psychology has to say about phobias. Next on the list of items is a link to an alphabetized Phobia List. If you want to create a character with a specific phobia, I suggest you narrow the search by using fear of and then typing in the name of the item you want to use. For instance when you type in "fear of ocean" in the search window you receive the answer thalassophobia which is derived from the Greek words thalassa (sea) and phobos (fear). Go ahead and search for a phobia then let me know what you find. I will put the phobia in the comment section of the next newsletter.


Editor's Picks

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Excerpt: Blood ran down the face of Aria Velwithe as she circled her opponent, her hand wrapped around the hilt of a combat knife. Sharp pain radiated from the gash that covered her cheek, but she ignored it. Her purple eyes were focused on her opponent as she studied his movements, tensing her body as she prepared herself for his attack. Dodging t his sword, she quickly acted on the opening as she lunged at him.

 Moonrise Open in new Window. (E)
First draft of a story i came up with from a picture
#2038993 by chcltroses Author IconMail Icon

Excerpt: The best time to see the sights of the beach is when the moon first rises. No one is around to see what comes out of the depths. I come here often, sometimes I come at dawn, but I like the early evening. Sometimes I sit in the waves and watch the sunset.Today was going to be different. I had many friends but only two I trusted enough to let them see what I really looked like.

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Excerpt: In his mountain perch, by the sea, Alevevor looked out at the ships sailing by. He marveled at how men harnessed the wind’s power to move themselves about the oceans and was tempted to wake his teacher Maedor. But Maedor had been sleeping for some time and would be angry if he were awakened by such silly questions now. He had told Alevevor to study his books, work on some potions, and study the elements. It was supposed to keep him busy for at least several hundred years or so.

 The Curious Android Open in new Window. (E)
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Excerpt: "Fredrick, What am I?" Max asked with a curious lilt in his voice. Across the small round dinner table Fredrick peered just over the edge of his newspaper, "Why on Earth would you ask that?"

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Excerpt: Mary lay down in bed as her mother tucked her in.

Submitted by Readers

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The People of Glass  Open in new Window. (18+)
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Excerpt: The nightmare of that fateful hour, a decade ago today, haunts me with unspeakable force. Next to it, the tasks before me — even the weight of the quill pressing against parchment — seem distant, other-worldly. Despite the courage to stand in the path of disaster, my voice deserts me. I have, therefore, learned to wield the quill in hope that this manuscript might bear witness to the events that set the mythic 'Lady Sigrun' on the path she walks.

Challenges and Contests

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#2029754 by Not Available.

Please take a look at this intriguing contest.

Joto-Kai Author Icon writes: Not quite nephomantic, this — or is it? A young girl in my "The People of Glass Open in new Window. senses danger. The call of a raven draws her attention to the sky, where she projects her terror onto a skull shaped cloud so that she can process her intuition.

Of course her hard-headed aunt refuses to catch the hint; their plot of land is more than just a home to them. The Reverend Mayor called them to stake a claim in these contested lands, not just for themselves, but for all humanity. Quite an honor...

ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy Author Icon writes: interesting that my latest story included cloud formation, as you suggested: "Her eyes followed the formations of the clouds, changing from one pattern to another. She saw one that appeared to be two horses, one a stallion standing tall on its hind legs. “Aye, thar ye are, me handsome gent. The golden stallion yours, the calm whiter mare, mine. We must meet and share days together, ye and I. I love the way ye wear yer hair, curls down yer shoulders, and yer slight beard so blond and beautiful. Together, let’s ride over yonder hills, through the valleys and find our own quiet place. Already, I’m in love.” "Romance on the Sound"

Elfin Dragon-finally published Author Icon writes: The closest my tales come to Aeromancy is that the Elves talk to the trees who use the winds to relay messages across the world. Also, when a significant Elf dies they are cremated and their ashes scattered to the winds with their soul-name so the Earth may never forget them or their deeds.

st.ifa Author Icon writes: new knowledge - new word -aeromancy. You are good

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Printed from https://writing.com/main/books/entry_id/847962-Letter-from-the-Editor-for-May-Newsletter