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 Short Stories: February 13, 2019 Issue [#9378] |
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 This week: Battle of the Bulge Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading   More Newsletters By This Editor    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 
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Challenge your character (and reader) by keeping the story active. Whether writing first, third, or omniscient voice, lengthy scenic descriptions or internal dialogue slow the pace and take the reader out of the action. Give your character choices that result in reaction with which your reader may or may not agree, at first, but will want to see the result. Note the visual reference. The story is dynamic, itself a character with which your protagonist (or antagonist) interacts in order to arrive at the satisfying (if not always 'happy') conclusion.
Build tension with conflict, internal and/or external, for your character (and reader). The character's reaction to the conflict, the obstacle, makes him or her real for your reader, somebody about which your reader wants to know more, wants to see succeed on his/her journey. The conflict also effects change in the character as well as his/her environment, making the story dynamic and important to the reader.
Plant relevant clues both false and true that show the character's 'stuff'. The middle of the story is where your reader gets to know the character and care that he/she succeeds (or fails). Relevant is the operative word here. If your character gets lost in musing over a picturesque sunset, so will your reader. However, if a fiery red sunset is the gas from an exploded tanker of noxious gas the character must somehow contain or escape, then it's relevant. This, I suppose, is the scary word 'plot'. Each scene needs to move the story forward towards the conclusion, whether by misdirection or direction. The character's interaction with and reaction to events changes him/her and keeps your reader involved in the story. 
Now, back to those dreaded 'crunches', which are worth the end result. Trim the excess verbiage and non-relevant action. If you find yourself really going off in another direction, perhaps it's another story taking shape; another adventure for your muse creative and readers to savor - another day. Keep the end result in focus and your character (and story) will be the stronger for it. 
