Ahhhh! The plot is thickening. The characters have developed perfectly. You have balanced your pace so there is riveting action, informative scene setting, and a richness to your tableau. Everything seems to be going so well, and yet, your beta reader drops a bomb on you.
"It's just falling flat."
What are you supposed to do? Where do you turn? How can you enrich and round out your characters? How about a little emotional rescue?
Let's try filling in the back story of y
Today's blog comes to us courtesy of our resident Coyote Cub, @astone2292. He's put aside his Ask the Author and Guess the Author hats to give us his thoughts on writing short stories. Thank you, Aaron for sharing your ideas with us! I would like to do a series of these blogs, so if there's a particular topic you would like to see addressed, please PM me and let me know. Now on to our feature presentation!
Only one word comes to mind when I think about short story crafting: Ex
Top 10 Most Read General Fiction - Coming of Age
Follows the personal growth and development of a protagonist from youth to adulthood. "growing up"
Thicker Than Water by John Henry In Process
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Gap Year by Mark Arbour Complete
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Adam Blake by CLJobe Complete
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Not much of an intro needed. @spike382 did a great job at a difficult time
Between the Lines
by Comicality
Reviewer: spike382
Status: Complete
Word Count: 45,928
I will start off by saying this is probably one of the hardest reviews that I’ve ever written since I joined the Review Team back in 2017. I personally still feel a bit of shock that Comicality isn’t here with us anymore, and that he won’t see this review and leave a comment on it.
I might have mention
I really don't know what to talk about his week Yes, I am at a loss for words! Should I go see a doctor to see if this is a treatable condition or should I suck it up and just start typing?
Maybe this week we will just stick to the facts for the wrap up
Monday, Cia was around to launch an all new May CSR. Make sure to check out his new story and find out about the author too after reading the story:
Tuesday, Myr was having flashbacks to the 1982's and Canadian Rock Band Aldo N
That's right, it's finally here! Our fun summer writing event, the Secret Author Short Story Contest! Rules remain very much the same: You cannot reveal your story to any beyond your beta/editing team. Your story must be hidden. And that's our THEME! "Hidden" What is hidden or who, how, when, where... or even why, that's up to you!
Deadline to submit stories: July 24, 2024
Submit to: Cia
General Rules
One story per author
Don't share your story idea, work in
Top 10 Most Read Fantasy - Alternate History
Story takes place in alternate version of history, such as what if the Nazi's won "The Man in the High Castle" by Phillip Dick. Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card
Of Pride and Power by W_L In Process
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The Flamekeepers of Delta Psi Theta by Kelevra Temporary Hold
The Spirit of the Plum B
I've been featuring short stories lately, I thought I'd give you all something to sink your teeth into. Read outside in the sunshine or inside away from the torrential rain (if it's anything like it is here in Washington right now!) but come back on Monday, May 27th to share your thoughts!
Deeds of Their Past
by @mcarss
Length: 66,950
Description: Nathan—a man who lives life in shadow and solitude—finds himself hunted due to an old assignment. While awaiting his execution, h
Any and all spelling and grammar mistakes are fully mine and not the fault of my editors. Maybe I should think about getting an editor for once
Today, as in this afternoon I went to the Calgary International Beer Fest. Over 200 Craft breweries with over 700 types of beers, spirits, ciders and meads 😮 Oh my. Considered the largest in Canada and one of the top 5 in the world. Somehow I had a few shots of moonshine too!
I may or nay not be a bit tipsy If I had the foresight, I could h
In storytelling, the concept of ensorcell—which means to enchant, fascinate, or place under a magical spell—serves as a powerful tool for shaping character arcs, driving plots, and controlling narrative pacing. It bridges the gap between literal magic and psychological influence.
Here is how the concept of ensorcellment impacts storytelling:
Driving the Plot and Creating Stakes: Ensorcellment often serves as the central inciting incident or conflict in a story.
The Inciting Inc
The verb ensorcell (meaning "to bewitch" or "to enchant") originated in the 1540s and comes from the Middle French word ensorceler, an alteration or dissimilation of the Old French ensorcerer. It is the combination of the prefix -en, meaning "in" or "into" (or an intensive prefix meaning "to cause") and sorcier, the French word for "sorcerer" or "wizard", derived from the Medieval Latin sortiarius, and the ultimate Latin root meaning "lot," "fate," or "destiny".
According to the Oxford
Just the facts:
ENSORCELL Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
ENSORCELL Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
ENSORCELLMENT Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
ENSORCELLMENTS Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
ensorcell
Ensorcell (also spelled ensorcel) is a transitive verb meaning to cast a spell over, bewitch, enchant, or deeply fa
Just the facts:
BUCOLIC Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
BUCOLIC Synonyms: 22 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus
BUCOLIC Synonyms: 372 Similar Words & Phrases
bucolic
Bucolic (/bjuːˈkɒlɪk/ or /bjuːˈkɑːlɪk/) means relating to the pleasant, peaceful, and idealized aspects of the countryside, rural life, or shepherds.
Definition and
In storytelling, a bucolic setting—defined by idyllic, rural, and pastoral landscapes—serves as a powerful narrative tool that goes far beyond simple background decoration. Writers and filmmakers use bucolic elements to manipulate pacing, contrast character growth, and ground abstract themes in tangible visuals,
Here is why bucolic settings are so important in storytelling:
The Archetype of the "Safe Haven": Bucolic settings often represent the ultimate emotional anchor or the "St
The word bucolic comes from the ancient Greek word boukolikos (βουκολικός), meaning "rustic" or "pertaining to herdsmen". It combines boûs (βοῦς) meaning "ox" or "cow" (which also gives us words like bovine) and -kolos (-κολος) meaning "tending" or "keeper", and together they form boukólos (βουκόλος) meaning a "cowherd" or "oxherd". The Greek term passed into Latin as būcolicus, keeping its association with herdsmen and pastoral themes.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)