  Short Stories
This week: Character Tics Edited by: Jay's debut novel is out now!  
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This Short Stories Newsletter is dedicated to readers and writers of short fiction and to those who want to know more about the art of telling big stories in small spaces.
This month:
Character Tics
Being authentic without being grotesque; thoughts on creating lifelike characters with all kinds of problems. |
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I recently had a conversation with another writer friend of mine who was trying to figure out a way to represent a mental disorder in a short story he was working on at the time. It was an interesting little Zen puzzle of sorts among those of us in the conversation, and it got me to thinking about how we portray all kinds of disabilities, disorders, problems, as character traits. It's a complex issue, and I'm not sure I'm the best equipped to tackle all aspects, but I think as a starting point, it's something to consider about the way we write our characters.
First and foremost, I know that this topic can be sensitive for some, but I promise that here, I'm discussing only the use of these different things as details which define fictional characters. Personally, I think it's important to note that there's nothing "wrong" with being a little different, no matter what that different might entail.
I think it's important to take a look at what makes these traits compelling. First and foremost, I think that the core of good storytelling is being able to show a character and all of their flaws as openly as possible, and with a measure of compassion as well. Readers want to know that it's okay to not be okay, sometimes.
This is true whether we're talking about protagonists, ensemble characters; even villains. We can ascribe all kinds of problems to our characters in a sensible and respectful way. When our main characters have flaws, we feel connected to them because of our own flaws. I'm hesitant to be too specific, but sometimes, of course, these flaws could be emotional or mental, whether controlled, uncontrolled, bottled in and pent up or diagnosed and given some kind of therapy.
It's important not to rely on this kind of disorder as an excuse for not better developing a character, of course. As a writer, we have a responsibility to create believable humans and give them believable problems. In the event that you are interested in writing a character with a clinical disorder-- for example, I'll reference a character I wrote and researched a few years ago. I needed to write someone whose home life with her parents was so unstable that she might have what's known as an attachment disorder. I needed to keep her believable and compassionate, while still adhering to the different types of problems she might have if she were suffering from attachment disorder. How would this change her interactions with other characters? How might she do things differently? What was her current "home" life like? How were her hopes and dreams just like anyone else's?
Have you ever written about a character with mental, physical, or emotional problems? What did you do to find out more about the problem or problems you wanted to represent in your story? How did it turn out for you?
Until next month,
Take care and Write on!
~jay |
This month's picks!
first, a great little editorial on how to write flash fiction:
and some reading material:
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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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Feedback from last month: "Learning How to be Critiqued"
J. A. Buxton submits her feedback, along with the following item: "Dark Sadness of the Innocent" [18+]:
My favorite type of critique is the one that gives my constructive criticism of my story or ways to improve it. For example, finding a minor plot hole is something I enjoy reading in a review. My least favorite type, one that truly irritates me, is when a reviewer rewrites many of my sentences to suit their own style of writing. I politely (I hope) write them back simply stating I write like I talk. At times my written sentences come out crooked, but then so do my spoken words. Also, saying I mix up the POV in stories is something I ignore. Sorry, I don't worry about that and never will.
Well, multiple points-of-view can be exceptionally confusing to some readers, but there is plenty of merit to taking the advice you can use, and politely ignoring the rest. 
easyrider40  writes:
Ya know, at first I had no idea on how to critique someones work nor accept criticism myself, but know I do. I still need a little work on these issues, but I'm sure that I will learn. Thank you so very much.
It's definitely a learning experience, but being open to critique makes it a lot easier to progress as a writer.
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  writes:
I remember one "Negative" review I got- basically, the person claimed that there was no way a human could ever kill a dragon- I'll show you the full review if you inquire. I found a very good way to deal with him; a Logical Debate. He has yet to win, and often times will "Rage Quit" as I just don't stop talking.
Well, that's one way to do it, I guess.  Except this editorial was about how, uhm, not to do that.
dwarf2012 writes:
That is why I like the new "Reviews" part of our port: so writers will understand how I write reviews and not take umbrage at what I write. I also think there is a difference between a critique/editing and a review. Great newsletter.
Yeah, I agree! I love the reviews tab and have been known to come a-knocking at the Review Request tab, so, anyone out there who hasn't set theirs up, I definitely encourage you to do so!
There's certainly a difference between a review and a critique, but I feel like the net result is similar enough that for our intents and purposes, we could use that word and it wouldn't be totally wrong, especially with regards to learning to receive criticism in a positive way.
jdenningberg writes:
Thanks Jay, this made me feel better. I've had reviews that were a bit negative, but mostly they were done with a positive spin, and had info that helped me. But I've just done a review where the the piece didn't work for me. I said so, but also said why nicely. Well, did I have the hide stripped off me! Petty, nasty comments and names, when I was asked to review again, but still didn't agree to change my mind. Your newsletter helped and I'll hang to it should that sort of thing happen again. all the best, simply
Quick-Quill  writes:
I loved this newsletter! Every NEWBIE needs to be required to read it. I was horrible at first reviewing. Too short, to direct and not enough encouragement. I took the class on reviewing and I love to do it. I love it when I get positive feedback on a review. I try to do the same when I get a review. BUT "My opinion" I have to disagree. The reader NEEDS to be reminded that I am not out to destroy their work. It won't hurt my feelings if they don't agree. The reminding is to prepare the skin for some pricks or cuts as they read a review. I hope all newbies get this NL.
Thanks much for the compliment! I'm gonna stick to my guns, though. Review disclaimers, most of the time, are there for one reason: word count buffer.  Don't waste the writer's time; if they can't figure out that a review is *only* an opinion, their items should probably not be rateable.
Zeke writes:
If you are concerned about a review, don't post your item.
Zeke
Well, this is true, but there are so many options for having unrateable items on here now that there's really no excuse for someone to be too thin-skinned to post an item to share on Writing.Com. 
ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy submits her feedback along with the following item: "Grandmother's Portrait" [13+]
I'm including a profoundly beautiful story I read here, it so contrasts with what seems to be the focus on constant "action action action" in every sentence of some stories. Question: Which style is being accepted by publishers nowadays? yours is a very helpful newsletter.
Thanks, ann
My experience has been that publishers "accept" good stories, and that it's hard to say what one publisher likes or doesn't. The single best advice I can give is to obtain a copy of a recent issue of the publication to see if you think your work "clicks" with their aesthetic!
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Short Stories: May 01, 2013 Issue [#5650]
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