Short Stories: January 15, 2020 Issue [#9958] |
This week: Reviewing the Short Story Edited by: NaNoNette 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
Hello writers and readers of short stories, I am NaNoNette and will be your guest editor for today's issue. |
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Reviewing the Short Story
Do you wonder how to review short stories and give good, useful feedback?
When you review a short story, you should make sure to let the writer know if they hit the needed markers any short story should have.
As you read the story and think of the things you want to put into your review, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Were you able to figure out the inciting incident of the short story? It doesn't have to be in the timeline of the short story. An inciting incident can happen before the story, but it has to be clear to you, the reviewer, what it was.
2. Did the short story keep you hooked and made you want to read on with its rising action? Were there enough additional hurdles put into the main protagonist's way, but not so many that the short story bursts at the seams?
3. Was the climax a good nail biter? Were you on the edge of your seat and sick with worry how this situation was going to turn out for the main protagonist?
4. How do you feel about the resolution? Was there a satisfying ending to the short story that completed the plot at hand? Yes, of course, there can always be more after the ending. Happily ever after implies a full, rich life for the protagonists, but the plot of the short story has to be completed. Did the writer give you a proper outcome for the problem raised through the inciting incident or do they leave you hanging with an open ending that ultimately leaves you feeling empty and as if you wasted your time? |
| | Mum was Cranky (ASR) Billy and Neville get up to mischief. Winner of Daily Flash Fiction Contest 01/04/2020. #2209427 by Greg M |
| | Invalid Item This item number is not valid. #1837644 by Not Available. |
| | Invalid Item This item number is not valid. #1327161 by Not Available. |
Challenge yourself to write a complete short story in under 1000 words.
Be even more concise and write a complete short story in under 300 words.
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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! https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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Replies to my last Short Stories newsletter "Limitations of Short Stories" :
s wrote: I enjoy writing short stories (have sold my fair share), and reading them, but your pointing out of the things that are different between a short and novel hit the nail on the head. Something I see is also people trying to insert too much back-story into a short or having secondary plots running in the background. Great for a novella and longer; does not work for a short. When I worked as an anthology and magazine editor, I saw this way too often. But, still - excellent article.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Bubblegum Jones wrote: Thanks for including me in your news letter here, Bubblegum Jones
You're welcome and thank you for noticing. |
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