Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Leger~ More Newsletters By This Editor
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The purpose of this newsletter is to help the Writing.com short story author hone their craft and improve their skills. Along with that I would 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.
This week's Short Story Editor
Leger~ |
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Have you used an eponym lately?
It's not an antonym - nope, not even a synonym...it's an eponym! And I bet you've used one lately.
An eponym is the name of a person, whether real or fictitious, which has (or is thought to have) given rise to the name of a particular place, tribe, discovery or other item. In contemporary English, the term eponymous is often used to mean self-titled. (It's also an R.E.M. greatest hits album called Eponymous )
While that sounds like quite a definition, it is a bit easier to understand with a few examples.
In adjectives:
Edwardian ~ The period of 1901 to 1910 (the reign of King Edward VII), marked by an enthusiasm for the art and fashions of continental Europe.
Satanic ~ That which applies to Satan.
In adages:
Murphy's Law ~ If anything can go wrong, it will or If it can happen, it will happen. Ascribed to Major Edward A. Murphy, Jr.
Barnum's Law - You’ll never go broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public. Named for Phineas Taylor Barnum.
In comics:
Foghorn Leghorn, Warner Brothers cartoons – Senator Claghorn, regular character on the Fred Allen radio show.
Garfield is named after Jim Davis's grandfather, James Garfield Davis.
In food:
Fettuccine Alfredo – Alfredo di Lelio, an early-20th century Italian chef who invented the dish for his wife in 1914–1920 at his Roman restaurant. The dish became famous in part because Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks touted it after their 1927 visit to Rome. The authentic Alfredo recipe contains only several butters, no cream sauce.
Dr Pepper – Dr. Charles Pepper. The soft drink invented by pharmacist Charles Atherton in 1885 at a Waco, Texas drugstore owned by Wade Morrison is said to be named for Morrison's first employer, who owned a pharmacy in Virginia.
In science:
Geiger counter - Used to detect alpha and beta radiation. (a.k.a. Geiger-Müller counter) – Johannes Wilhelm (Hans) Geiger (and Walther Müller).
In sports:
Gymnastics ~ Thomas flair (pommel horse), after Kurt Thomas (USA).
Figure skating ~ Axel jump, after Axel Paulsen (Norway).
Ice Hockey ~ Stanley Cup, after Frederick Arthur Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby.
In hairstyles:
Bo Derek ~ plaited hair with beads.
Beatles cut ~ mop top.
When using an eponym in your writing, be sure you know the history behind the word so your meaning is clear. A few moments of research could save time. Write on!
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eponym
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Excerpt: It was a good place. Arlen looked down the hill, through the pine trees and past the waving fronds of barley, to the orchard below. The inner rhythm of things growing invaded his senses. It was more than just the smell of peach blossoms and honeysuckle nectar, more even than the clicking cadence of honeybees or the glint of vermilion skins in the summer sun. It was a feeling that rose from the earth itself, through his soles and into his heart. The land was part of him. He was unsure how he could survive without it.
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Excerpt: How long have I been sitting here? I thought that he would come straight away. He always says that I’m the most important thing in his life; he would give anything to be sure I’m happy. Yes, of course, he would! He won’t even leave work an hour early for me! So much for sacrifice. I called him over an hour ago, after I had emptied the entire contents of my handbag onto the balcony. I had looked like a mad thing, scrambling desperately through the debris, certain that I would find the wretched key, before punching his number into my phone. I'm sure he had heard resignation and frustration coming through each syllable.
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Excerpt: I can’t believe I have to do this. Could anything be worse? Hannah walks around the front of her car and steps onto the sidewalk, suddenly aware of the swarm of butterflies fighting to free themselves from her stomach. She looks up at the tall, imposing steeple of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and the butterflies instantly multiply. Hannah stands motionless, trying to find a reason - any excuse - to get back into her car and drive away. This is a complete waste of time. I’m not an … But it doesn’t matter.
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Excerpt: “And the crazy guy was on top of the car with her boyfriend’s head − using it for a basketball!" Brian concluded, slapping his knee and chuckling.
“That’s not what happened,” Kathryn protested, frowning at him.
“Hey, I’ve got one for you…” Stuart began.
Linda cut him off. “Look, can we just change the subject, please? These stories are giving me the creeps!” She shivered, as an image popped into her head of the nut on top of the car.
Excerpt: The automatic doors of Extra Foods glided open as he walked into the grocery store. He’d never been here before, but he knew he’d have to move fast. Most places had pre-made sandwiches for people who drop in for lunch in the middle of their work or school day. That’s where he had to get to. He made it through the doors unnoticed, but the cameras would soon pick him up. He quickly made his way to the back of the store. He knew there had to be something he could quickly grab.
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Excerpt: “I’m not taking the Grand Marques all the way to Connecticut,” John said, as he marched into the kitchen. “Or the Navigator.”
Shirley boiled with frustration, “John, all I’m saying is that it’s a waste of money to rent a car when we have two perfectly good cars.”
Excerpt: During my senior year in 1971, the high school had yet to install air conditioning. As the muggy summer approached, the evening breezes of early June provided relief, especially when the sun fell behind the dense Arkansan woods some distance away, but easily seen from my favorite spot on Crooked Creek.
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Excerpt:
He stood alone on the street, even though he was surrounded by people. His mother had sent him to take care of a human, a woman that threatened her beauty. He sighed as he considered his mother.
Excerpt: She was magnificent -- more bright and bold than anything he’d ever seen. The butterfly remembered the first time he saw her; she was a glorious paradox standing strong against the soft breeze, her petals delicately opening to the heavens. She wore his favourite colour, red, in a velvet skin that popped against the blue sky and seemed to float on its own, without her slim black stem. Just like butterfly wings.
Featured Contest:
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This month's question: Are there words that you commonly associate with another item?
Last month's question: Where do you find publications to submit your work? How do you keep track of your submissions?
demor: You are so right about knowing the publisher's submission requirements. A friend of mine who works at a major publisher tells me that they receive over 4,000 unsolicited manuscripts monthly. Any that don't meet the submission guidelines are not read.
And we want ours to be on top of the "Read" pile! Thanks for confirming.
Feywriter : I have one answer for both questions: Duotrope. http://www.duotrope.com/digest/index.aspx
They have a searchable database of over 800 short story and poetry markets. You don't have to register to access the listings. Registering is free, however, and gives you access to their submission tracker. The site was listed in the top 100 websites for writers. I can see why. I love it!
Thanks for the link!
billwilcox: Wow, Leger, this is a keeper. Thanks for sharing your gardening...uh, I mean, publishing knowledge with us. This one's going to my favorites.
Starr Phenix : Hi Legerdemain! I enjoyed your article this week, but I have one question for you. You advise authors to save their clips when they have stories published in magazines, but what if the magazine is not printed, but electronic? Would you simply save a copy of the e-zine to your hard drive, or should you print it out to have a 'hard copy'?
It would be a good idea to print it out, ezines don't always have a long lifespan and neither do hard drives.
Deelyte- Chillin' : Excellent ideas and suggestions. I rarely get motivated to actually act but reading this did niggle the brain. Thanks for the input. Great newsletter.
dee
Thanks!
arch_addicted to WDC : Thanks for including my story (The Treasure Hunt) in this newsletter. How do you manage your time reading so many stories? I would love to receive some tips!
I do a lot of reading online and offline and I don't watch much television. Stories from Writing.com can be printed out and taken along anywhere! |
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Product Type: Kindle Store
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