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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7593-Earth-Abides.html
Short Stories: April 20, 2016 Issue [#7593]

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Short Stories


 This week: Earth Abides
  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


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

"Cheat your landlord if you can and must, but do not try to shortchange the Muse. It cannot be done. You can’t fake quality any more than you can fake a good meal.” ~ William S. Burroughs


I read a lot, seven or eight books a month, and I go through phases. For months I'll be into heavily-detailed historical fiction, then a cozy mystery will catch my eye--something light and goofy in which the female protagonist does something like bake bread for a living until she stumbles upon a corpse secreted away behind the fifty-pound bag of flour--and I'll read that genre for a few months, but one of my favorite go-to genres is sci-fi/sci-fantasy, specifically pre- and post-apocalyptic novels. I'm sure I've read hundreds, from classics like Earth Abides by George R. Stewart (one of my favorites) to self-published pieces like Ravage by Iain Rob Wright. Whether it's an unexpected EMP that stops modern society in its tracks (One Second After) or a weaponized strain of the influenza virus accidentally released on humanity (The Stand), I just can't get enough.

More often than not the majority of books I read are just so-so--enjoyable enough, but nothing I'd bother to read again. Occasionally I'll stumble across post-apocolyptic gold, and when I do I tell all my book-loving friends about it. I'll read the sequels and feel a bit sad when the series ends. It's a magical experience, and I completely lose myself in the make-believe world.

What is it that makes a story shine? Hollywood would have you believe it's copious amounts of profanity and scantily-clad women every 15.25 minutes, but I disagree. I believe there are four essentials that make a story shine, regardless of the genre:
*StarY* A flawed, sympathetic protagonist--someone your readers can relate to and are emotionally invested in. Make him likable. The best reluctant hero I've ever come across is Augustus "Gus" Berry in Keith C. Blackmore's Safari  (book #2 in his four-book Mountain Man series).
*StarB* Realism. Of course a zombie apocalypse takes for grated the reader has suspended disbelief before she reads the first page, but expecting her to believe one man armed with only a filet knife and a baton can walk into an apartment complex and take out hundreds of flesh-eating undead singlehandedly is a bit of a stretch. Keep it real.
*StarP* Conflict. Is the protagonist trying to get somewhere, attain something, exact vengeance, maintain his stronghold, protect his family, or simply find enough food to survive? Give him something (or someone) to fight for, and the reader will wait with bated breath.
*StarG* Passion. When the author is passionate about what he or she is writing, it absolutely comes across on the page. The words, sentences, paragraphs, scenes, and chapters are infused with excitement and expectation, and the reader can't wait to turn the page.

Of course your story still needs to be well written and should follow a classic story arc such as Vogler's Hero's Journey Outline.  Open in new Window.. Write, edit, polish, rewrite, and edit again. Allow a few trusted friends to proofread your work. Choose people who will be honest with you as opposed to telling you what they think you want to hear. If they flag a specific scene as improbable, highlight a particular piece of dialogue as corny or obnoxious, point out a discrepancy in detail, notice an overabundance of adverbs, voice concern about plot plausibility, listen to their suggestions and make changes accordingly.

Play around with your story until it's as good as it can be, then release it into the universe and let the accolades begin.

"Making people believe the unbelievable is no trick; it’s work. Belief and reader absorption come in the details: An overturned tricycle in the gutter of an abandoned neighborhood can stand for everything." ~ Stephen King


Thank you for reading.

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


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 Zombie Virus Open in new Window. (13+)
What was that bump under his ear?
#1657026 by TheGary Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1635274 by Not Available.


Have Can Opener Will Travel Open in new Window. (13+)
All a girl really needs at the end of the world is a really good can opener. Revised 2
#1878223 by Highmage - D.H. Aire Author IconMail Icon


Dandelions Open in new Window. (ASR)
Dandelions were only the _first_ thing to disappear...
#880186 by Beauregard Vine Author IconMail Icon


 The Scarred Fraternity  Open in new Window. (13+)
In a post-apocalyptic world run by demons, the remaining humans prepare themselves.
#1853578 by Josh Curtiss Author IconMail Icon


And if you need inspiration or just want to try your hand at something a little different, try one of these contests on for size:

FORUM
SCREAMS!!! Open in new Window. (GC)
A Terrifying Contest Of Horror And Three Time Quill Award Winner!
#2020439 by Lilli 🧿 ☕ Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2040737 by Not Available.

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

The following is in response to "Writing CreativelyOpen in new Window.:

Mary Ann MCPhedran Author IconMail Icon writes, "I enjoyed reading this newsletter and maybe the next short story. I will have one to produce as I have been working on poetry for the past three weeks. Thank you to all who have entertained me with your stories." Aw, thank you, Mary! I'm glad you liked it. *Delight*

S Ferguson~ Prepping for Prep Author IconMail Icon writes, "Lately I have been deleting my newsletters without opening them. I am so happy I was taking the time to read them this week. Sitting down to write basically ends up with me tapping my pen against the paper then creating a doodle. Sometimes I think of a story to go along with it, other times it's just a doodle. I will be making more of an effort from now on." Yay! Thank you for reading! *Heart*

ladeecaid writes, "Your newsletter has inspired me to write a blog. I've been kicking around some thoughts and questions, and I think they are ready to spill onto my keyboard. The only problem is, I don't have time to write it; not tonight, but I'm going to try." Fantastic! Send the link and I'll share it in next month's newsletter. *Thumbsup*

QPdoll is Grateful Author IconMail Icon writes, "An inspiring newsletter, Shannon! I loved it. I especially like the quote: 'Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.' ~ Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Talk about a kick in the butt. Just what I needed." Indeed it is! (A kick in the butt, I mean.) *Laugh* It's a great one to print and tape above your desk. *Type*

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