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Short Stories: July 15, 2015 Issue [#7096]

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Short Stories


 This week: Imaginary Lover
  Edited by: Shannon 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

Purchased from stock.adobe.com


Emotions can motivate or imprison us. They have the power to bring out our best as well as our worst. Today we will take a closer look at desire, the fifth in a series of newsletters focusing on what it means to be human.

Throughout the process of writing this newsletter series I referred to The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. Please show them some love by buying your very own copy of this invaluable book here.  Open in new Window.

Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon Author IconMail Icon and I'm your editor this week.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

"Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired." ~ Robert Frost


When someone mentions desire, what's the first thing that pops into your head? Sure, one may desire a person, an item, or a certain social status (e.g. popularity), but in this newsletter we will be discussing amorous desire.

We've all experienced it at least once in our lives--that longing for someone's affection. You can't eat, can't sleep. Maybe you arrange to be where the object of your desire is. We're willing to do almost anything just to be close to her. Sometimes desire morphs into something more, a relationship, perhaps, but oftentimes it remains admiration from afar. Unrequited love.

Desire. For millennia people have written stories about it, sung songs about it, filmed movies about it, fought and died for it. People are willing to perform extraordinary acts for desire's sake, but what does desire look and feel like? We've all been there, but how do you write about it?

Below are but a few examples of what's happening to your character--physically, mentally, internally--when he or she is overcome with desire. Try working a couple from each category into your story:

Physical:
*Bullet* staring
*Bullet* trembling
*Bullet* flushing
*Bullet* sweating
*Bullet* weakness

Mental:
*Bullet* dopamine levels rise
*Bullet* fantasizing
*Bullet* impatience
*Bullet* fixation
*Bullet* obsession

Internal:
*Bullet* racing heart
*Bullet* butterflies in stomach
*Bullet* breathlessness
*Bullet* lightheadedness
*Bullet* dermal hypersensitivity
*Bullet* euphoria

Have you written a story about desire? Do you have a character whose love is unrequited? What lengths is he willing to go to to get the woman (or the man) of his dreams? How does she function in her day-to-day life? What does an average day look like for him or her? Send me your stories (18+ or below, please) and I will include them in next month's newsletter.

"It is hard to contend against one's heart's desire; for whatever it wishes to have it buys at the cost of soul." ~ Heraclitus



Thank you for reading.

A swirly signature I made using the Mutlu font and a drop shadow.

For other newsletters in this series, see the links below:

Part 1--"Shackled and Chained" Open in new Window.

Part 2--"My Last Nerve" Open in new Window.

Part 3--"Unbreak My Heart" Open in new Window.

Part 4--"E is for Envy" Open in new Window.

Part 5--"Imaginary Lover" Open in new Window.

Part 6--"Soul Eater" Open in new Window.

Part 7--"The Green-Eyed Monster" Open in new Window.

Part 8--"Ego Trip" Open in new Window.


Editor's Picks

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!

The Fun House Open in new Window. (13+)
"Come on in ... if you dare."
#1881045 by Tom Buck Author IconMail Icon


With A Cherry On The Top Open in new Window. (ASR)
Natasha would give anything to be allowed to eat just one more ice cream.
#909828 by Dr Taher writes again! Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#842462 by Not Available.


What You Wish For Open in new Window. (13+)
He desires one last item to finish his collection. But is it everything he wished for?
#1371352 by LdyPhoenix Author IconMail Icon


 Short Story : About Emma Fay Open in new Window. (E)
Emma's desire to prove herself lands her in trouble.
#1248241 by M. S. Barnes Author IconMail Icon

 
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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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Ask & Answer

The following is in response to "E is for Envy" Open in new Window.:

Elfin Dragon-finally published Author IconMail Icon writes, "I love the way you separated out the difference between envy and jealousy, as well as the different kinds. I think we all need to remember definitions when we write so our characters will act correctly in situations. Also, thank you for posting my long story." Thank you, and you're most welcome. *Wink*

S Ferguson~ Prepping for Prep Author IconMail Icon writes, "Thank you for this newsletter! I recently did a little self-help with a problem I had with Envy so it was rather ironic that this was the first thing I saw when I opened my e-mail. It's nice to see and understand different ways to write the emotion." Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. *Heart*

blunderbuss writes, "Many thanks for the latest newsletter, Shannon. Also, for highlighting my story, which has already received a review. I think envy is always destructive except as a very brief, passing emotion. Otherwise it can soon become obsessive. Sure you can admire a possession of your neighbour - eg a car - but motivation to work hard to get an elevated type of career is more complicated than that I think. I get your point though and you were giving an example." Yay! I'm glad you've received reviews, and thank you for taking the time to read and comment. *Thumbsup*

The following item was submitted by its author:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2045076 by Not Available.

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