Short Stories: June 07, 2006 Issue [#1090] |
Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Diane More Newsletters By This Editor
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
Welcome to this week's edition of the Short Story newsletter. Each edition of the newsletter highlights issues of concern to short story writers.
~~ Diane ~~
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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
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I've selected a few stories for your enjoyment. Please remember to send the author a review.
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Featured Contest:
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter! https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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The editors work hard to make sure the newsletters are informative and enjoyable. We appreciate your responses.
Ms Kimmie - "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. "
zwisis - "Very encouraging, Diane . 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!"
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."
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!"
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... "
Mandarine - "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!"
Mavis Moog - "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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