  Short Stories
This week: And the Winner Is ... Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week. |
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When I first joined WDC in April of 2006 I didn't know where to begin. I felt a bit overwhelmed by it all, and for the first year I hardly logged in at all. I kept writing, though, even published a few articles and essays, but something was missing. I longed for fellowship with like-minded people. I craved the sharing of ideas and experiences and expertise I knew a writing community could offer, so I sat down one day and logged in to my account.
The site had changed a lot since I'd last seen it, but after a little exploration I was able to figure out the basics. Although I'd been writing for years and published more than once, I felt "unqualified" to read, review, and rate other people's work. I forced myself to do it, however, because I knew it would improve my writing as well as (hopefully) help others. And while we're on the subject, please indulge me in a short aside. Regardless of your writing history, experience, and level of expertise, you ARE qualified to read, review, and rate other people's work. You are the reader. Readers are the ones who buy reading material, be it magazines, ebooks, or hard copies of novels. Readers determine what is and isn't good, what is and isn't a bestseller. As writers, we'd be wise to listen to what the readers have to say if we want to be successful in this business because they are the consumers, and like any business, your consumers (or lack thereof) determine your livelihood.
I quickly became addicted to reviewing and found myself doing five, sometimes even ten reviews a day. This exposure to various artists, genres, and styles made me more confident about my own unique voice and writing style as I worked hard to hone and perfect it. As I sat pondering the best way to gain exposure for my writing, a friend emailed me to suggest I enter a contest being hosted by a fellow WDC member, so I did ... and I won. Hmm, I thought. That was kinda fun! So I entered another contest, then another and another: picture prompt contests, word prompt contests, short story contests and poetry contests. My portfolio filled up quickly. The poems, essays, short stories, and articles poured out of me. At times the material seemed to write itself.
If you're where I was four years ago and don't know where to begin, or if you're stagnating and need a writerly kick in the keister, I suggest trying your hand at a contest. It's cool to win, but even if you don't your efforts won't be in vain. The process alone will improve your writing, and you will gets lots of feedback on how to improve it even more. You'll share ideas and experiences, communicate with wonderful like-minded people, and you may even make life-long friends. It's a win-win!
"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." ~ William Wordsworth |
There are many contests to choose from on WDC, and I've featured a few of my personal favorites below. If you don't have the time or inclination to enter your work, please contribute to the cause. Prizes cost gift points, so send the contest owner some if you can spare them. It's generous people like you who make these contests possible. Share the love!
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Feedback
The following is in response to "Short Stories Newsletter (April 27, 2011)" :
NickiD89  says, "I can't tell you how many times I've said to myself, I need to pick up a copy of The Elements of Style. Thanks for another reminder--and perfect timing: this weekend I'm heading to B&N!" Thank YOU, Nicki! 
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  says, "Always something new to learn." Yes, there certainly is. I learn something new every day!  Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
writergal20 says, "Great Newsletter! this newsletter has some good advice I can use when I'm writing short stories." I'm glad you found the NL helpful. Thank you for the feedback! 
DRSmith  says, "Hiya, Shannon... seems you're on a tear lately w/another newsie knocked outta the park. Strunk, the little book that could, has been a staple touted by many, some noted published authors. I'd also recommend anyone stumbling across this response to get Strunk as well as two other works I use A LOT. IE: A Writer's Reference by Diana Hacker (courtesy of WDC's savvy talent, SonofDrogo), & a school textbook: Elements of Writing (sr. class) by Kinneavy Warriner. Try AbeBooks.com for great discounts in used, but good cond. Great reference tomes." I couldn't agree more, doc. I've used Hacker's A Writer's Reference for years and actually consider it my #1 reference tool. Thanks again for your support and kind words. (((hugs)))
Happy Spring  says, "I have owned The Elements of Style for years and it is always there when I need it! I think it was the first book I ever bought for writing. I enjoyed your newsletter!" I'm glad you liked the NL, Inker. Thank you for reading!
miller.ck says, "Form the posessive singular of nouns by adding 's
The exception here are nouns that end in "s" where the possessive ending is not pronounced with a an "es".
E.g.
Jesus's nails (pronounced Jesuses)
Mr. Misoffelees' tail (pronounced Mistophelees)"
brenda says, "this helped me in how to write thank you for writing this:)" You're welcome, Brenda. Thank you for reading and commenting!
jimd says, "Am I the only one who thinks that the word is 'possessive' rather than 'posessive'?" OMG, how the heck did THAT happen?  I laughed for a good fifteen minutes after I read your feedback. Apparently I was convinced I'd spelled it right 'cause I spelled it that way like fifty times. LOL Thankfully I was able to go back in and edit it, correcting the misspelled words. Oh well, we all make mistakes, right? It's not the first writing crime I've committed and it definitely won't be the last. Please bear with me as we travel the road to writing excellence together. Thank you for reading and having such a keen eye. 
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Short Stories: May 25, 2011 Issue [#4409]
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