A short story is a work of not more than 10000 words normally, recounting a single experience and its effects.
I find it very difficult to write a short story as opposed to a novel. I'm getting better at it each time I try but I'm so used to description, description. The strange thing is, I find it easier to outline a short.
To me, writing a short is like writing an article for a newspaper. Devise a plot, list the characters, collect all the important facts, list them in chronological order, work out a time line and then put it all together in one smooth, interesting story that grabs the reader's attention.
That isn't too bad, especially if you have thought of a really good plot. The not so easy part is making the story memorable by giving it a twist at the end, or conveying much sadness or happiness through the main character that the reader either laughs or cries.
The biggest problem comes when I try to convey all this information in less than 3/5/10000 words. Condensing whilst telling the story and maintaining the desired impact is something I find hard to do. Of course, writing non fiction is totally different. I love writing about life in general-all sorts of subjects.
I felt tired today, probably after spending much of last week working in the wee hours editing. I took a break this weekend. Tomorrow, I'll start on the next chapter. In the meantime, Mrellan gently scolded me about my posting on Writer's Pen, saying that I was supposed to write a Christmas story. I guess I cheated because the rules for the competition were very vague.
I am going to attempt writing a Christmas story in less than 750 words. If nothing else, it's more practise.
I find it very difficult to write a short story as opposed to a novel. I'm getting better at it each time I try but I'm so used to description, description. The strange thing is, I find it easier to outline a short.
To me, writing a short is like writing an article for a newspaper. Devise a plot, list the characters, collect all the important facts, list them in chronological order, work out a time line and then put it all together in one smooth, interesting story that grabs the reader's attention.
That isn't too bad, especially if you have thought of a really good plot. The not so easy part is making the story memorable by giving it a twist at the end, or conveying much sadness or happiness through the main character that the reader either laughs or cries.
The biggest problem comes when I try to convey all this information in less than 3/5/10000 words. Condensing whilst telling the story and maintaining the desired impact is something I find hard to do. Of course, writing non fiction is totally different. I love writing about life in general-all sorts of subjects.
I felt tired today, probably after spending much of last week working in the wee hours editing. I took a break this weekend. Tomorrow, I'll start on the next chapter. In the meantime, Mrellan gently scolded me about my posting on Writer's Pen, saying that I was supposed to write a Christmas story. I guess I cheated because the rules for the competition were very vague.
I am going to attempt writing a Christmas story in less than 750 words. If nothing else, it's more practise.
TOMORROW
Tomorrow is a life away
must I wait till then
Tomorrow sometimes never comes
for an authors pen
I close my eyes too see you
whenever I’m alone
I’m here for you my magic girl
my heart’s your secret home
Ride around the universe
music fills the air
Find our rainbows end
climb the colored stair
Our love is getting stronger
the more we are apart
Waiting for the next time
kisses melt my heart
Sitting in the darkness
saying our goodbyes
Smile in close-up now
flash those sparkling eyes
From girl next door to lover
I’ve fallen for your charm
Waiting for that next dream
when beauty holds my arm
Feelings change in seconds
pulling us apart
Hold me closer now
the daydreams gonna start
There are so many others
but none love you as much
Goddess of the wide screen
I’m yearning for your touch
Saturday afternoon sitting at the back of the stalls in the local picture house with nothing better to do. My favorite star was Sophia Loren and I was just fifteen. When I was twenty I waved to her as I drove past her villa on the Amalfie Road, southern Italy. Sadly, she did not wave back so I married someone else!
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