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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6280-Real-Short-Stories.html
Short Stories: May 14, 2014 Issue [#6280]

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Short Stories


 This week: Real Short Stories
  Edited by: Annette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Hello short story writers and readers. I am Annette Author Icon, and I will be your guest editor for this newsletter.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Real Short Stories


Would Edgar Allan Poe read your short story?


Those who read my April newsletter about short stories may remember that Edgar Allan Poe defined a short story as one that could be read in one sitting. In an age of everything digital, microblogging, and short attention spans, is it even possible to capture an audience long enough to make it past an anecdote?

As you compose your short story, instead of agonizing over word count, how about asking yourself if the great short story writers of old Edgar Allan Poe, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the others would enjoy your story. Don't worry about genre or plot too much. You will write about many things that those people wouldn't know anything about. Rather, ask yourself if your short story is captivating so that somebody would want to sit in a comfortable chair, maybe with a cup of tea, and enjoy your short story. Maybe even read it twice to make sure to catch all twists and turns.

Do you have a solid inciting incident? Is the cast of characters small and big enough to tell the story? Are you concentrating on one plot line only? Is the ending satisfying? Would somebody who took an hour or so to read your story put the book or electronic reading device down and ruminate about your story for a while or even days?

Now that I hung the bar so high, let me ask you a final question: did you have fun writing it? In the end, that one qualifier will be the one that you truly have to measure your story by. As you write your short story, make sure to entertain yourself first.



Editor's Picks

 Suburbs Turned Him Orange Open in new Window. (18+)
My very first real short story.
#1986320 by CCD Author IconMail Icon

 
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Detective's Secret Open in new Window. (18+)
Detective comes back from the dead to find his killer and solve his last case.
#1537073 by Quick-Quill Author IconMail Icon

The Death of Ti-Jack Fontenot Open in new Window. (13+)
The eccentric last wishes of a simple man.
#1982551 by R.B. Cole Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1789850 by Not Available.

 Unexpected Consequences Open in new Window. (13+)
Intergalactic slavers find more than they bargained for on an uncharted planet.
#1877015 by Simple Dykie Author IconMail Icon

 We Only Accept Heads Open in new Window. (ASR)
A Shocking Discovery About Duchess' Almost Final Fate
#1458008 by C.E. Thieroff Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1818199 by Not Available.

 Natasha & Naomi: Hydration Open in new Window. (13+)
The 3rd entry. Naomi learns that it's important to keep a slime girl hydrated.
#1975684 by The Phantom Author IconMail Icon

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Tears in the Gathering Mist Open in new Window. (13+)
A tale of discovery and misunderstanding
#1970647 by Escape Artist Author IconMail Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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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Ask & Answer


For my last Short Story newsletter "Defining the Short Story" Open in new Window., I got the following replies:

CCD Author Icon wrote: My first real short story and my first portfolio item. Thank you for your consideration. "Suburbs Turned Him Orange" Open in new Window.

*Smile* It's in the editorial recommendations above. I hope you get some good reviews.

Quick-Quill Author Icon wrote: This is a variation of my novel. A short story about an actual murder. It is complete. Introduction, motive, many characters, climax and end. It's still considered a "Short Story." This was #2 in a series with the prompt, "A detective is killed, but he cannot pass on to the next life without solving his open cases." There were six in the series. All about the ghost detective. I thought it was a great prompt and they were all published in an e-zine. "Detective's Secret" Open in new Window.

Congratulations on the e-zine publication. I hope my plug above will get you some more readers and reviews.

amy-Finally writing a novel. Author Icon wrote: I'd like to contribute a story. How do I do this?

If you want to have one of your short stories featured, simply use the submission for that you used to send in this comment. You can put the link to your story (numbers only) into the little text box above the message box, or insert it into your message.

tYpO/T.Boilerman Author Icon wrote: Giselle, thank you for including my story in your newsletter as an Editor's pick. It means more to me than you could know. WRITE ON!! "Charley's Story" Open in new Window.

It was my pleasure. It one of those stories that really must be out there. Glad to give it some exposure.


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