 Short Stories: November 18, 2009 Issue [#3383] |
  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Ben Langhinrichs  
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There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.
Rod Serling, The Twilight Zone
Greetings! I am one of the editors for the Short Stories Newsletter, and I hope to share some of my thoughts on writing short stories, and perhaps about writing in general. I suggest you treat these not as pearls of wisdom dropped from on high, but rather musings of a fellow writer, written to inspire, provoke or stimulate your personal muse. I welcome your thoughts, feedback and suggestions. Ben Langhinrichs
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The Comfort Zone
For those afraid they have stumbled into the Science Fiction newsletter, fear not. (For those who hope they have, I apologize.)
In his classic television series, The Twilight Zone, Rod Serling introduced people to science fiction and fantasy, genres unfamiliar to many Americans of the time. But why did they watch this show? They watched because Rod Serling was a great story teller, and people were captivated even if science fiction was not the genre they would choose to watch.
As a reader, I have certain styles of writing and certain genres that appeal to me more than most. Nonetheless, I often wind up reading a book of a different style and genre. The difference in how I read is mostly my tolerance level. I like comedy, and will put up with some weaknesses in the story telling to get to the laughs. (Of course, no laughs and the book goes out the window) I like science fiction, and will ignore some wooden dialogue if the plot is gripping enough. (From the comics recently, Wife: What is the plot? Husband: Explosions! Wife: Ah.) But what if I pick up a fantasy with unicorns? Egads, the writing better be fabulous, the dialogue crystal clear, the plot sensational, or I just won't make it through. Fantasies with unicorns are not in my comfort zone. I don't read them, and I certainly don't write them.
Yet, what is life without challenge? I belong to a group on WDC called "Let's Publish!" (10 virtual brownie points to the first person who can guess the raison d'etre of that group.) We have come up with an idea called The Gauntlet, where each of us who is interested takes on a genre with which we have no comfort. The first to get published in that genre wins (there are a few gift points involved, but mostly honor and bragging rights). I will freely admit that my chosen genre is Romance.
My point, and I imagine those of you still reading are quite relieved to hear I may be getting to it, is that stepping out of your comfort zone as a writer forces you to give your very best. Even if I don't read Romance often, I hope to get published by making my Romance story the absolute best I can make. I plan to polish the language until it cuts through the cliches like a lightsaber on Tatooine. I plan to create characters that you would want to marry on the spot, or avoid at all costs. I plan...
Enough planning. I am off to write. How about you? Care to step out of your comfort zone and write a sizzling short story in a genre that isn't your style? As Rod Serling said, "This is the dimension of imagination."
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Fantasy Stories with Unicorns (do you dare?)
Romance (do I dare?)
Western Romance - Two genres out of my comfort zone!
I can't resist an allusion to Charles Dickens
It doesn't really have anything to do with unicorns, but I couldn't resist!
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Feedback from Readers
Fyn  : GREAT newsletter!!!!!!!!!!!
SHERRI GIBSON  : Excellent newsletter, Ben! I could not agree with you more about writing about what you know and combining it with your dream or dreams. Experience is a writer's teacher, but the addition of fantasy heightens a story.
Doug Rainbow  : Your take on "Write what you know" was good in that it somewhat broadened the concept. I feel that "Write what you know" involves the notion of authenticity. The reader thinks he knows that character or has been to that rocky coast. If the writing is "real" it feels authentic.
Doug Rainbow
Coolhand : Very insightful newsletter, Ben. An excellent take on writing what you know. Having visited Nova Scotia two years ago, I now know more about you. You're a lucky man, amigo. I really enjoyed exploring Cabot's Trail.
Winnie Kay  : This is great advice, Ben. Using what or who I know helps me to jump-start a story. But, once I've used the familiar, the story seems to take on a life of its own.
francie: Ben, I'm with you. I think we need "vignette" added as a category because "other" means nothing to the potential reader.
Great advice on using life experiences to build stories; the straight truth is never as good as an embellished one.
Actually, I just learned that the other day when I wrote a short, actual accounting of a haunting. Too bad your NL came out too late to save me. 
LJPC - the tortoise : Hi Ben!
You have the talent to make your writing very personal, not only because you seem to put so much of yourself into what you write, but because you can make a reader believe that you are writing just for them.
I learn a lot every time I read your writing, and I couldn't ask for anything more.
Laura
Ladyoz : Pearls of wisdom, indeed. I just lost my mother in September and I'm still hurting terribly. Thank you for this - I needed it.
Thank you, everybody, for your feedback and thoughts!
Submitted by Readers
a. waits : I appreciate your commentary on Jennifer Weiner and her writing inspiration. Sometimes it's easy to forget that very sad, emotional events can be sparks for stories. Often, because it's what we do know, we want to stay away from it, however it can be found to be very therapeutic and I have no doubt that is what Ms. Weiner found in writing. I often do.
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