  Short Stories
This week: Gimme Five 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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In the summertime, many of my story ideas are inspired by things, people, and places I see while out and about, but in winter I stick a little closer to home (it gets cold here in Idaho). For me, inspiration doesn't always come unbidden; sometimes I have to go looking for it, but I always start with what I like.
I have been fascinated by secret worlds and hidden rooms since I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a child. I thought about how cool it would be to step into an alternate reality, leaving my day-to-day monotony behind. I wanted a camouflaged alcove within my own bedroom that no one else knew about--a place where I could sit and read for hours, undisturbed and carefree. I longed for a magical chocolate room where I could drink from a chocolate river and eat sugared teacups. Then there were episodes of The Twilight Zone and movies starring Jodie Foster (Panic Room) that furthered my fascination, and to this day I'd love to have a private hideaway to call my own.
Despite my captivation with clandestine cubbyholes, the closest I've come to writing about them is "Julian's Secret" [13+]. Who knows. Maybe someday C.S. Lewis's wardrobe will inspire The Greatest Story Idea in the History of Mankind (I can practically hear James Earl Jones's beautiful bass voice echoing as we speak). Until then I guess I'll keep plugging away and making the best of what I've got.
As writers, we need an idea before we can sit down to write a short story. So what do you do when the well runs dry? I have several tricks up my sleeve, but one of my favorites is the internet. I literally have the world at my fingertips, and all I need is five minutes. In addition to hermetic hideaways, my muse is stimulated by things like creepy places, urban legends, and amazing stories of survival. I'm also inspired by stories that restore my faith in humanity, the beauty of the world around us, and even technology.
A world of information and inspiration is right at your fingertips. Are you inspirationally bankrupt? Maybe one of the above links will spark something fresh and exciting. If so, please send me a link to your story so I can share it with everyone.
Thank you for reading.
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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!
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And please check out ~ Santa Sisco ~  's Annual Christmas Auction/Raffle. The majority of gift points raised will be donated to worthy groups around WDC. I've donated three packages to the auction, one of which is a Writer's Mystery Box filled with at least $50 worth of writing-related gifts. Let's join together to support this worthy cause, but you'd better hurry: the Auction/Raffle ends December 8, 2013.
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And don't forget to nominate your writing.com favorites in the 2013 Quills!
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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!
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The following is in response to "Short Stories Newsletter (November 6, 2013)" :
Joshiahis  says, "I'm too cheap to purchase the thesaurus, but I did some research on the writers of the link you provided and came up with a second, free option for your readers. http://thebookshelfmuse.blogspot.com/" Wow, thank you for sharing this! I appreciate it.
Joy  says, "Great NL. Shannon.  I have The Emotion Thesaurus, and it is helping me greatly during the NaNo season. I think Dean Koontz is the master of writing action-filled, yet emotionally charged scenes. I learn a lot just by reading him." Thanks, Joy! I finally broke down and purchased a copy myself. I find it to be quite helpful, too. And I agree with you about Koontz. I've only read maybe 10 of his books, but I've enjoyed every one.
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Short Stories: December 04, 2013 Issue [#6027]
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