  Short Stories
This week: Physiologically Speaking 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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I have a friend who was almost the victim of a crime last week. I say "almost" because a man under the influence of drugs was lurking in her neighborhood, attempting to bust his way into people's homes. Luckily for my friend she'd locked her door behind her, so the man was unable to gain entry. Police responded and arrested the man, but things may have turned out quite differently had my friend not been so diligent about her safety.
This incident made me think about my own biggest fear: waking up to a stranger standing over my bed. Just thinking about it causes an immediate, unpleasant, physiological response. Imagine waking up with a stranger's hand over your mouth, or discovering a passionate note written by another woman in your husband's coat pocket, or finding a dead body in a dumpster. These are moments of truth. You can speculate, but you don't know how you'll react under such circumstances until you experience them, and neither do your characters.
It's difficult to write a convincing emotionally-charged scene. When I'm writing such scenes I try not to overthink or overanalyze. I let the events unfold naturally as they "happen", which makes the outcome as much of a surprise to me as it is to my characters. This lends an air of authenticity to the work and sets a more immediate, urgent tone. Of course I edit the scene at a later date, but writing in the moment often produces amazing results.
In addition to what people say and do in stressful situations, the body itself reacts to emotion, providing the writer with numerous ways to show anger/lust/anxiety/disgust/humiliation/indifference/envy/shame/etc. When we're afraid, for example, our hearts race, our respiratory rates increase, our pupils dilate, we start to sweat, our adrenal glands release adrenaline, extra blood rushes to the large muscles in our bodies to prepare us for fight or flight. But what happens to us physiologically when we're elated, distraught, agitated, depressed, frustrated, lonely, nervous, or at peace, and how do we write about it?
The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi may help. I haven't purchased it yet, but it's on my "to-buy" list. The book provides "75 emotion entries that list body language, thoughts, and visceral responses for each." Although we've all experienced these emotions, few of us master conveying them with words.
The next time you're writing an emotionally-charged scene, think about what's happening on a cellular level--how the particular emotion manifests itself in your character, and how you can convincingly communicate it to your audience.
Thank you for reading.
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In last month's newsletter I posed a short story challenge. Because I only received four entries, a winner will not be chosen per the contest rules. I would like to thank the following authors for their stories. Each one received 5,000 gift points for his or her efforts:
 "Invalid Item" by Joshiahis 
 "Tower Heights" [E] by JeremyBuxton
 "Invalid Item" by Kimelia
 "Invalid Item" by kristimcb
I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. Please do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1668048 by Not Available. |
| | Paranoia (13+)
It was supposed to be a phony prophecy, yet the fires of jealousy and rage were stoked.
#1114130 by iKïyå§ama  |
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The following is in response to "Short Stories Newsletter (October 9, 2013)" :
JACE  says, "Awesome newsletter, Miss Shannon. I echo your sentiments about interviewing parents and grandparents for their stories. I never knew my mom was adopted until after she passed more than 25 years ago. Presently my kids have little interest in writing, so I'm taking it on myself to write down things that have happened to me in my life. Perhaps they may find something of interest one day, and I'm enjoying a nostalgic look at myself.  " Thank you, Jace! Dad's got the software now. I can't wait to read the stories! 
Joshiahis says, "I enjoyed learning how you can pull motivation from common places and the contest. It's amazing how dangerous one can be with a weird prompt (a kitchen AND a cave in one story??!!) and a forced ending." Yes, indeed! I'm glad you found the newsletter inspirational. 
Quick-Quill  says, "Shannon! Where can I buy the card game? This would be a great Christmas present for my niece and nephew, and Mom to play. My aunt taught my sister and I to play Who, What, Where? Person, action (ing), place We would try to come up with the funniest places and actions. Kept two kids busy (While my one sister was home terminally ill). I think this is the best contest!!! I hope you do this again it is a great idea. always new when you shuffle the cards." You can get the game on Amazon (search for Once Upon a Time 3rd Edition). I've seen a few for sale on eBay, but they tend to be overpriced. And I'm glad you like the idea of the contest. I'm thinking about setting up a monthly non-newsletter-related contest based on the game. I'll keep you posted. 
brom21  says, "You're so right about the fact that there are tales hid inside every person. After telling my neighbor two blocks down that I was a creative writing major, he said that he's led a very interesting life and that if I ever wrote a book that I should write about his biography. He looks like an everyday guy and, as you also pointed out, people will go through life without the time or means to express themselves. That's where we writers come in to publish the circumstances of their lives for them. Thanks for the newsletter; it brought up a very good idea that I also see in society." You are very welcome! Thank you for sharing your story, and I hope you share your neighbor's once it's written. 
kayz says, "I'm really excited about this new contest! I have recently returned to WDC and am hoping to take part in this contest! I have a very busy schedule and am in the middle of rearranging my apartment to make room for a new housemate, so I really hope that I can get a story put together for this contest! I look forward to reading the other submissions! -even if I cannot take part-" Thank you, and welcome back to WDC! 
The following items were submitted by their authors:
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1955935 by Not Available. |
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| ASIN: 0997970618 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 14.99
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Short Stories: November 06, 2013 Issue [#5969]
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