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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/1090-.html
Short Stories: June 07, 2006 Issue [#1090]

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Short Stories


 This week:
  Edited by: Diane Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Welcome to this week's edition of the Short Story newsletter. Each edition of the newsletter highlights issues of concern to short story writers.

~*Flower4*~ Diane ~*Flower4*~


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Spring Cleaning


Spring is a time of renewal. A time to throw out old things in order to make way for the new. It's a time for cleaning out the space around us and injecting some organization into our lives. This ritual allows us to feel more energetic and creative because we aren't weighed down by clutter.

Cleaning out your living space is a good start, but don't limit yourself to purging items from the closets. Instead, rummage through your sticky notes, your story files, and your online portfolio. Through the process of organization, you will discover snippets of thought, character sketches, and maybe a story idea or two that you forgot about over time.

Some discoveries may spark a frenzy of writing, which is always welcome. If nothing else, it will allow you to get a feel for what you have left to finish. I started cleaning out my portfolio last week and so far I've discovered twenty-three story ideas I had tucked away in various places. I combined these into an idea journal so I have a place to keep them for quick reference.

I anticipate visiting this journal frequently. Not only to add ideas, but also to review the ideas posted when I encounter a lag in creativity. This could be helpful when I want to enter a contest with a fast approaching deadline. Instead of being pressured to come up with an original idea, I can thumb through the journal. Even if it doesn't have an exact match for the contest, the different entries could trigger a new story concept.

I encourage you to do some spring cleaning on your portfolio. You'll be amazed at how far a little organization will take you in your writing journey.

Until Next Time,
Diane Author Icon


Editor's Picks

I've selected a few stories for your enjoyment. Please remember to send the author a review. *Smile*



 The Tool Collector Open in new Window. (ASR)
Every man has a story like this... some of us are still writing them!
#1111340 by Brokensong Author IconMail Icon



 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1098553 by Not Available.



Flowers and Stones Open in new Window. (E)
A woman living in Vienna learns more from actions than words could ever teach her.
#1052730 by Lorien Author IconMail Icon



 Blood Brothers Open in new Window. (18+)
Oh mine brother, lay down thy burdens engraved upon thy soul.
#713972 by Wenston Author IconMail Icon



 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#732033 by Not Available.



Featured Contest:

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This item number is not valid.
#1106411 by Not Available.



 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

The editors work hard to make sure the newsletters are informative and enjoyable. We appreciate your responses.


*Note1* Ms Kimmie Author Icon - "Writing what you know has long been a topic of contention, hasn't it? Years ago, back when I was an editor with the "For Authors" newsletter, I addressed this topic with my guest editor that day, Zoo . He made an excellent point by stating that not only do we write what we know, but that we write what we can be comfortable with--in his case, at that time, it was alligator wrestling! So, point of this letter: I love your suggestions and offer up a hardy "Hear, hear!" Great newsletter. *Smile*"


*Note1* zwisis - "Very encouraging, Diane Author Icon. It's a challenge to write about something you don't know, and researching a topic can be really interesting, and add amazing dimensions to a story!"


*Note1* scarlett_o_h - "Very informative Newsletter with great Editor's picks and sound advice. I don't hold with muses or writer's block and found the suggestions in your Newsletter very appealing for those times when writing doesn't flow. Keep up the good work."


*Note1* karabu - "Great newsletter. I heard somplace: Don;t write what you know, write what you can imagine. Heck, if everyone only wrote what they knew there wouldn't be much Sci-Fi, Fantasy or Horror (at least I hope not ) Thanks!"


*Note1* billwilcox - "Diane, As you well know, just about every book on writing tells you to 'write what you know'. But I think it is more or less guidelines to make your story more believable. Every time I write something it's just playdough pulled outta my mind begging to be molded. Besides, I don't know how to write to begin with so following the rules is a bit like having to remember how to set up the pieces of a Backgammon game. Great newsletter as usual, thanks... *Cool*"


*Note1* Mandarine Author Icon - "One of my friend's teachers told her once, "Write what you know about." and now she lives by it. Personally I never agreed with that statement. When I write i reasearch a lot about the topic I choose to eliminate any holes in the plot and i parallely learn a lot. It's one of the excitements of being a writer!"


*Note1* Mavis Moog Author Icon - "Setting your story in familiar locations and occupations will add authenticity to your work, but the rest should be fresh and imaginative. I don't think I'm alone in finding factual errors in short stories irksome. It makes me feel the writer hasn't bothered to research the background. Simple things, like racoons running around London (101 Dalmations film) can make a story fail for those who know there are no wild racoons in Britain. Great newsletter."

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