This week: The Dark Side 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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Police procedurals, true crime documentaries, and courtroom dramas have always been popular. That remains true to this day as evidenced by the popularity of television shows like CSI and megahits like Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad book series..
A part of me has always wanted to be a lawyer or a detective. The puzzle intrigues me. I love to read. I love to learn. I love pondering the who, what, where, when, why, and how of crime.
Most of us can't wrap our minds around men like Jeffrey Dahmer or women like Amelia Dyer nor comprehend the evil they're capable of. Our minds don't work that way. There's something incredibly satisfying about seeing evildoers captured, tried, and sentenced; however, there's nothing quite like reading about a wrongfully-convicted man (or woman, as the case may be) who was exonerated after losing years, sometimes decades, of his or her life behind bars--years that can never be replaced.
"My job as a prosecutor is to do justice. And justice is served when
a guilty man is convicted and an innocent man is not." ~ Sonia Sotomayor
Successful crime stories humanize their protagonists. Oftentimes, the perpetrator is charming, funny, witty, quirky, interesting. No one is all bad or all good. Each of us has a dark side, and no one really knows what they're capable of under the right (or wrong) circumstances.
Some of my favorite crime stories include:
 The Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Misery by Stephen King
11/22/63 by Stephen King
You by Caroline Kepnes
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Matthew Corbett Series by Robert McCammon
The David Hunter Series by Simon Beckett
First Blood by David Morrell
The Collector by John Fowles
The Usual Suspects by Ernest Larson
These are but a few of the best crime stories I've read. Like Stephen King, I believe good writers must be avid readers. In fact, they not only read, but they also study the books they devour. What works? Why does it work? What doesn't work? Why doesn't it work? What rings true? False? Is the protagonist a sympathetic character? Can the reader empathize with him? Can you visualize what you're reading? Does it evoke an emotional response?
I come back to my favorites over and over. They're well-read, weathered, worn, highlighted with writing in the margins. I study them like a textbook, and I've learned a lot along the way.
Have you written a crime story? Who are your favorite protagonists? Which books do you cherish? What have you learned by studying your beloved novels? Share your thoughts, stories, and ideas and I will include them in next month's newsletter.
"I think most defense attorneys honestly believe the principle that says, 'Better 10 guilty go free than even one possibly innocent person be convicted.'" ~ Alan Dershowitz
Thank you for reading.
P.S. Every registered author who shares their ideas and/or creative endeavors relating to or inspired by this week's topic will receive an exclusive trinket. I will retire this month's limited-edition trinket at 11:59 p.m. WDC time on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, when my next short stories newsletter goes live.
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I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. I occasionally feature static items by members who are no longer with us; some have passed away while others simply aren't active members. Their absence doesn't render their work any less relevant, and if it fits the week's topic I will include it.
Thank you, and have a great week!
|  | Witch Trials (13+)
A short story about the Salem Witch Trials, written for a contest. Please R&R!!
#876320 by spidey  |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1483621 by Not Available. |
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The following is in response to "The Fairness Factor" :
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Sum1's In Seattle  writes: Shannon, I cannot fathom how someone who seems so healthy can pass so quickly. I am so sorry for your friend Sarah, and you. Please send my condolences to her when you speak with her again. My heart goes out to you, her and her family/friends. I lost my brother to Bladder Cancer last year. He was diagnosed in February, (already Stage 4 then), underwent Chemo and Radiation despite it being so advanced, and lasted until October. He passed on our other brothers birthday, that brother passed 7 years ago due to kidney problems. I saw how fast Cancer can take you, and even though it was eight months, the changes were immediate and devastating. We are definitely blessed with our health, I wish everyone could understand how quickly things can change.
~ ~
Princess Megan Snow Rose  writes: It is sad how death happens to people in life. We never know. I feel so sad seeing those commercials on TV about sick, disabled children. This newsletter makes you think and enjoy each day as a gift. I pray for everyone. A good newsletter that pulls at your heart strings.
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An apple a day....  writes: Life can be so very short. Prayers to you and your friend, Sarah.
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Quick-Quill  writes: Death is hard to deal with in any case. I found those who have no hope in the hereafter tend to have the worst time dealing with death. Those of us who know life in temporary and we will see our loved ones again feel sorrow, but it's with hope. We are waving them goodbye for an extended vacation. That's how I felt about my father. I wouldn't wish him back, because where he is, is where I want to be. I'll remember Sarah, her family and friends in my prayers.
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Angus  writes: This NL brought tears to my eyes, and I can't even begin to imagine what your friend, Sarah, had to go through. Like you said, it's one of God's mysteries why some of us have so many things fall on us, while others are hardly ever touched.
I remember having to go see my father for the last time when he was in the hospital. He wasn't awake, but I had to say goodbye. That hurt. But I saw him a few days before when was awake, and without saying it loud, I did say goodbye in my own way. We both knew it was coming, and I'll never forget the look in his eyes. He asked me to stick around a little longer that day, and I did. But I knew he was scared. I was too, and I often wonder what was going through his mind in those final few days. What would I think? What would anybody think in that position?
Thankfully Sarah had that last day with him. Please tell her my thoughts and prayers are with her!
~ ~
Bikerider  writes: I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's loss. Losing a loved one is traumatic enough, but when it's unexpected it seems to carry a heavier burden. It sounds like Sarah is a strong woman. What a blessing that she and Scott had a last, wonderful day together before he passed. How alone Sarah must feel having lost her son and husband in so short a time.
During my career I saw so many people immediately after the death of someone close; at traffic accidents, home accidents, and in the E.R. I remember one man in particular. He was older, in his late 70's, I think. His wife had just passed away. As I walked him to his car in the hospital parking lot, he said, "I'll miss doing all the things I used to do for my wife." What a selfless, loving thing to have said.
I hope writing about the loss of your friend helped soften some of your sorrow.
~ ~
Elfin Dragon-finally published  writes: We all cope in different ways. Me? I tend to be the calm comforter type. I miss the person with their passing but death doesn't seem to worry me. I think because I know that God is expecting the person in His house. And that gives me comfort. I often wish others could have that sense of peace.
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jonevi writes: This is a story about coping with the loss of family. And, I'm hoping to get more audience and improvement suggestions on the work. Thank you.
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Jeff  writes: I'm so sorry your friends are going through this difficult time, Shannon, particularly that Sarah will have to find new reserves of strength in the days ahead.  It takes me a long time to cope with devastating news; I find I alternate between needing to completely put it out of my mind through writing, reading, exercise, etc. and focusing on it intently in my thoughts and prayers. I usually vacillate between the two extremes until I reach some kind of equilibrium... which can sometimes be a very long time depending on how deep the grief runs.
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Prosperous Snow celebrating  writes: When my mother died, in 2012, I went to the grief counseling sessions offered by the hospice the provided Mom with end of life care. I also prayed and wrote poetry about my experience caring for Mom. I think the most comfort I got was writing about the experience of taking care of someone with Alzheimer's disease, and saying the prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah for her soul.
~ ~
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  writes: My aunt had a similar situation a few months back, when her one companion died of complications related to diabetes. Not fun.
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NeedingBeachDuf 🐠⛵🏝️ writes: Shannon,
I believe, we writers in us cope by writing, or at least I do. Years ago I would spend a lot of time writing in a journal as I tried to make sense of the losses I experienced. That has changed as I have aged. Now I find myself writing poems that I share with the friends and family of the one I have lost. I try to capture what they meant to me and what the loss means.
Thank you for the touching newsletter, and I am sorry for your loss.
Best wishes,
D
~ ~
Mara ♣ McBain  writes: My heart goes out to you and to your friends.  One of my best friends has Turners Syndrome. She is diabetic. She is terminally single and can't have kids, which she wants more than anything in the world. Twelve years ago she lost her job here and decided to move down to Naples, FL to live with her mom. Two years ago she was diagnosed with cancer. She fought like hell. She has a colostomy bag now to go with being short and over weight. She is sure she will be single for the rest of her life. Her mom and her were joined at the hip. Did everything together. Her mom put off heart surgery and then having a tumor removed from her lung to help Shari through her cancer. She finally had her surgeries and lost part of a lung. The last two months has been constant trips to the hospital fighting pneumonia. A week ago today, she lost the battle. Shari is devastated and I am doing everything I can to be a comfort to her. Sarah is lucky to have you.
~ ~
Jeannie  writes: It's hard to lose a loved one, especially when you're far apart at the time when a heart attack happens. Most of us have experienced losing a loved one, but with Sarah, she lost a husband and a child so close together. Experiences like this makes one stronger - Sarah showed this strength when she comforted others who were grieving too.
~ ~
dragonwoman writes: I have written a couple of end of life stories, one was my paternal grandmother, the latest mother. I as I age, I find it harder to write these stories or poems, but I still try as it eases my grief somewhat. I never write when the grief is new as I get overwhelmed by it. But I do write about it, because it's what I do.
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ruwth  writes: Sending condolences and saying prayers...
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Pumpkin Harvest writes: So sorry about your friend. Sudden changes do occur. Last year, my niece's 35 year old husband had an MI while driving on the Interstate with 2 kids, age 4 and one, were in the car. He managed to pull in the median. The motor was still running when the police woman arrived. The kids were not hurt, but he never regained consciousness. Only about 2 weeks before they had found out they were expecting the third child. He was in good health and doing well. Totally unexpected and unprepared. He was foremost a family man, teaching his children to garden and to fish. They were raising chickens together. He was a veteran and very patriotic. My niece is raising these three kids on her own and has her hands full. Family and friends are trying to fill the gaps, but no one can take their daddy's place.
~ ~
GaelicQueen  writes: Such a sad yet beautiful story about your friend's passing. It is never easy on family and friends. Hugs all around.
~ ~
LMs❤️BrewinMagic  writes: Dear Shannon,
I'm truly sorry for your loss and most definitely will keep your friends and their family in my prayers. I lost my mom at 22 and found it very difficult to process. Then one day I read about someone who sent a bouquet of balloons to heaven on their momma's birthday. It helped them cope with their loss.
Mother's day was coming up and I decided I could do that. What followed would be years of balloon bouquets and cards with letter's inside, addressed to My Momma in Heaven. It helped emmencely.
Then 16 years ago my son became a pilot in the AF. Now I understand the importance of not sending letters to Heaven. You have inspired me to write "Letters to Heaven." I need to write about that journey, how I coped with the death of my mother. Here is my piece that I wrote about
~ ~
miao-miao  writes: Hello. The story is great. I have many moments with people during their last moments. I want to share but just do not know how to start. I really what to share what they see during those moments when it is not revealing frequently.
~ ~
~Brian K Compton~ writes: Tragic when someone leaves this world so quickly. My wife and I are preparing to get our trust together. Don't want stuff to go through probate. It's important to have a plan for funeral, etc. My dad didn't have a plan for my mom and so many extra expenses were incurred, without going into detail. We're told it's the best thing we can do fo our family--have a trust and living will, etc. in place.
~ ~
Cubby  writes: I'm so sorry for your loss! It was so kind of you and your hubby to travel out there. I just don't know the answer on how to cope. My mom died on Halloween when I was 8 and my sisters and I were told not to talk about her to our dad because it was too painful for him. So that was tough. We just continue to deal with our loss and sometimes it hits us like a kick in the stomach. That poor woman (your friend) has had 2 losses, and my dad told me once there can be nothing worse than to lose one of your children. My heart goes out to her...
~ ~
Elycia Lee ☮  writes: Shannon, thank you for sharing this beautiful story about your friend. I myself had experienced how it was like when my late grandfathers, grandmother and godfather passed on. What a shock it must be for the wife. One minute, she's talking to him and the next, he's just gone. I don't think I could ever endure the horror. I pray that we would all just die in our sleep without suffering. I think couples should go together. It's just too painful to part.
~ ~
Lucinda Lynx  writes: This concerns the story of Scott and Sarah.
I am truly sorry for everything everyone involved must go through. I can't even imagine, how Sarah must feel. She must be overwhelmed with grief.
Your text about this whole thing is...I'd say honest and sincere.
This may sound a bit cruel, but thank you for sharing this with us, as sad as this situation must be to everyone involved. I hope you accept my condolences, be it I don't know you or them (Scott & Sarah).
~ ~
The following items were submitted by their authors:
| | | My Mary (13+)
I held the petals to my lips with a gentle kiss and looked out over the frothy waves.
#1887992 by Bikerider |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2168262 by Not Available. |
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| ASIN: B01IEVJVAG |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 9.99
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Short Stories: October 03, 2018 Issue [#9148]
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