Short Stories: October 25, 2006 Issue [#1342]
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Short Stories


 This week:
  Edited by: Vivian Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

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

         Hi, I'm the guest editor this week, and I hope to share a bit of what I've learned from studying, reading, and writing.



Next week's editor: Vivian Author Icon - Oh, that's me!


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Too Much Detail Stops the Flow


         The angry man strode toward the French doors. The tall windows reflected the fire burning in the fireplace. The antique furniture shone with a high gloss. Candles provided the only light other than that of the fire. A glass of liquid sat beside a cut glass container on a small table in front of one sofa. A Persian rug covered high gloss wood floors.

         The above paragraph describes a lovely room, doesn't it? What it doesn't do is move the story along. Unless all those details are needed for plot, then they don't belong in a short story. Any that are needed should be woven into the story in such a way that the flow of the story isn't disrupted.

         The angry man strode toward the French windows. His anger blinded him, but even if he wanted to see outside, the windows reflected only the fire burning in the fireplace.

         "What were you thinking?" He whirled to face the woman who sipped from a glass before placing it on the table.


         Two of the details are included into the action, giving enough detail to help the reader "see" what happens without detrailing the plot.

         Sometimes I've received reviews wanting to know more details than given or needed in the story. Short means just that, short. Everything cannot be included that would be found in a novel. An author needs to know what to include and what to eliminate to make the story alive and moving. Readers need to realize that wanting to know more about the characters doesn't mean that more information is needed, but that the writer did a good job of making the characters believable and interesting.

         Here's a sample of my short story writing. Hopefully I weave any details into the story well enough that the flow isn't disrupted.

 Another Storm Open in new Window. (13+)
Storms and nightmares foretell horror.
#848247 by Vivian Author IconMail Icon



Editor's Picks

Items from W.Com Members


         Two contests available for short story writers on the site are
FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon

and
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This item number is not valid.
#1030344 by Not Available.


         A few of the current winning entries for The Writer's Cramp follow:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1170949 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1169314 by Not Available.

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This item number is not valid.
#1169031 by Not Available.

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This item number is not valid.
#1169344 by Not Available.


         Three other stories to read and review are


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#838009 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1167363 by Not Available.

The Silver Panther Open in new Window. (13+)
Join Inspector Mattas in a wild who-dun-it. (in the voice of Peter Sellers as Clueseau)
#1063538 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon


 
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Word from Writing.Com

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!
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Ask & Answer

From Our Readers


         Since next week is my regular Short Stories Newsletter, I thought maybe I'd divide feedback from my last newsleter (about show not tell) between this issue and next week's.
         I often do some editing of the mechanics and spelling of comments.


namra
         Interesting highlight. Incidentally, this is some of the things I am still working on.
         There is no second chance for the first impression, I've heard. And the first sentence is a story first impression.
         I would want to know further whether the first line should directly reflect the story's "tone" in overall, or can it be vary as in the line started out pleasant, but the story is about horror. Is that wise?

         That type of beginning works well if you want to surprise the reader with a twist.

         I am a new writer and article such as this are priceless. I hope you don't mind giving out your thoughts on my first opening:

1. "I grew up as a boy playing with teddy bears, dolls and reading Mallory Towers."
- For a story I wrote about family relation titled - Journey of the Pollen

         That introduction does catch one's attention.

2. It’s a mundane day at the store that is about to get interesting.
- The first line for my comedy piece titled : I am not Bradd Pitt.

         This example makes one thing the store is about to get interesting. The sentence doesn't grab me and make me want to read more.


vloveskyle12
         "AngerOpen in new Window. is a good poem for people who have anger isusse, which I have.

         I don't have anger problems, but I have been around people who do. Therefore, I was able to "show" the anger.


Andrew Author IconMail Icon
         Thanks for this, Viv! I always hear people talking about showing and not telling, but they don't really give good examples. This newsletter most certainly did!
                                        `ACB

         I'm glad I was able to help.


dusktildawn
         Hi, Vivian: Your two little words are words I tend to write quite often in my indepth reviews ... "show" the reader instead of "writing" it to the reader. The example you created was amazing. I will be keeping this for future reference so I have a PERFECT example as to what those two words truly mean. Thank you so much for sharing. This was a great Newsletter!

         Thank you for the complement. I try to give good examples where needed, but I think this is the first time anyone called one perfect. *Delight*


billwilcox
         Hey, Viv, (I'm hot for teacher!)
         I seem to be running into the opposite end of this problem of show NOT tell; I want to show too much and my sentences begin to run-on. What's the remedy for this?

         First of all I would suggest an ice pack and then a visit to your eye doctor or, even better, your therapist. Oh, the remedy for run-on sentences - hmmmm ... Give them sneakers so that they can run faster.

         I had to end on a note of humor, and Bill is very good at adding a laugh or two.

         I enjoyed being the guest editor this week, and I hope you will join me again next week for my regular Short Story Newsletter.

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