Short Stories: January 15, 2020 Issue [#9958]
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 This week: Reviewing the Short Story
  Edited by: NaNoNette 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

Hello writers and readers of short stories, I am NaNoNette Author Icon and will be your guest editor for today's issue.


Word from our sponsor

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Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Letter from the editor

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?


Editor's Picks

 
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Odyssey of a Prodigal Stepson Part One  Open in new Window. (13+)
Jamie goes AWOL
#2208727 by lezismore-moreislez Author IconMail Icon

 
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Mum was Cranky Open in new Window. (ASR)
Billy and Neville get up to mischief. Winner of Daily Flash Fiction Contest 01/04/2020.
#2209427 by Greg M Author IconMail Icon

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Words for Snow Open in new Window. (13+)
Isa and Jack are trapped in a winter of their own making.
#2143760 by K Renée Author IconMail Icon

 
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The Empathic Fairy Open in new Window. (E)
A Christmas Fairy tries to help a town with Christmas Spirit
#2001657 by 👼intuey Author IconMail Icon

 
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Hiking the Everglades Trail Open in new Window. (E)
Dianne & Karen seek adventure and decide to hike the Everglades.
#1787312 by Jeannie Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1837644 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1327161 by Not Available.

 
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Invisible Open in new Window. (13+)
A short story about the invisible people we see on the streets.
#1291657 by Paigeturner Author IconMail Icon


Challenge yourself to write a complete short story in under 1000 words.
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The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon


Be even more concise and write a complete short story in under 300 words.
Daily Flash Fiction Challenge Open in new Window. (13+)
Enter your story of 300 words or less.
#896794 by Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

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

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B07B63CTKX
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Ask & Answer

Replies to my last Short Stories newsletter "Limitations of Short StoriesOpen in new Window.:

s Author Icon 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 Author Icon wrote: Thanks for including me in your news letter here, Bubblegum Jones

You're welcome and thank you for noticing.

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