This week: Setting the Scene in a Story Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Short Stories Newsletter by Dawn
Stories are difficult to start when there is information the writer wants or needs to give the reader without taking up the entire story or creating a different book. It can be difficult to tell the readers without going too far into telling and lacking the show we search for in writing. This newsletter takes a look at that struggle. |
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The start of a story is often a challenge. There is a reason many newsletters on this site discuss how the story needs to begin or the challenges that comes from the very start. Often stories start at a certain point in the characters' lives or world and the writer has to figure out how to not only show the world and characters but also to set the scene as it were to get the readers ready/involved in the tale they are going to experience as they continue to read. However, at times when trying to give information in order to help settle the reader into the story, it can go up against another often talked about challenge in writing: the battle of show versus tell.
For many of us, it's a challenge and a goal to show more in a story than to tell. Sure, it's not that you have to avoid telling all together because sometimes it's easier and quicker to give the reader a little information to boos things forward before showing a different element or situation. However, the challenge becomes finding the write balance and in short stories this is particularly true because there is limited word count space.
Certain genres can be a challenge in particular when it comes to finding the right balance between tell and show in setting the scene/story for the readers. Some of the ones that come to mind include fantasy, science fiction and alternative histories. I write fantasy more out of those three in particular, but have dappled on occasion in others and come against the struggle of trying to set up the story in less than 1000 words in order to get to the "good stuff" in time without running past the contest word count limit. I've also read a number of stories recently who had similar struggles.
Why is it such a challenge?
Time limits and trying to get stories done in a rush aren't helpful when it comes to some of the stories on here. I know I've done a little too much tell in a short story when it comes to contest entries because I've rushed to get the item done before the deadline.
Word counts don't help either. When you are trying to give the reader a story but keep it in a short amount of words, at times some tell can be easier and quicker than showing certain aspects of the story. To write show all the time can take up a fair amount of word count, which is why we need to find the balance and not just push for one side or the other.
My tip: Don't stress about tell during a first draft.
For the first draft of a story, the goal is to get things written. Even if you have to tell the entire story in order to get the words on the page, that is fine. When it comes to getting something written, the finer points and better writing often comes from rewrites and edits. However, if you're going to just write things down, try to leave enough time for a rewrite and edit before submitting the story to a contest or publishing. First drafts get the benefit in that they are allowed to be messy so if that includes extra telling, that's okay because there is the chance to work things out in other drafts.
From there, it will depend on the story. By nature, some may involve more tell than show in the beginning. Some genres are set up to accommodate that more and even short stories have a little room for the exposition. Don't be afraid to set the stage for the reader, just make sure it doesn't take over the entire story.
Do you find it a challenge to set the stage without telling too much in the story? What do you do? Don't be afraid to share in the forums or by responding to the newsletters. And enjoy writing the start of the story and setting up the scene for the reader.
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How do you set the scene in a short story without doing an over tell?
Last time I edited the SS newsletter, back in September, I discussed editing. It's a difficult but important part of the writing process and for some it can be a challenge. Others enjoy that side even more than first drafts, it all varies. Here is a comment sent in over the topic of editing:
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For years I put off doing editing. Finding WDC made a remarkable difference which helped me start the editing process. I am now doing a lot of editing. Editing has become an adventure for me. I find treasure within the written words and am able to ferret out the unnecessary words and bring into sharp focus the words that are vibrant and being a story and characters to life.
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Short Stories: December 23, 2020 Issue [#10527]
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