Short Story Exercise #1, Join In! Options

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hi all.

Let's start the creative mind flowing in the short story direction, shall we?
First, let's recap some thoughts on the short story.

1. What is the story about? What is it's underlying message? Does it have a clear theme. The theme is not the same thing as the plot. For example, the theme could be "All good deeds do not go un-noticed." The plot would then be something like, "Mr. Deeds helps a little old lady across the street. In exchange, he is given a (winning) lottery ticket..."

2. Cover a short time span. Make it a single event that proves pivotal in the life of the character(s) or setting, so that event will illustrate your theme. There are 5 parts to a plot line: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and the resolution.
1. Exposition = Introduction
2. Rising action = Suspense
3. Climax = Final battle
4. Falling action = Dramatic
5. Resolution = Aftermath

3. Don't have too many characters. This is crucial to the dimensions you establish. Adding more dimension may confuse the reader or dilute the theme. Create just enough characters to effectively illustrate your theme.

4. Make every word count. Make no room for unnecessary expansions. If each word does not do the story justice toward your theme, then delete them.

5. Focus. The best stories are the ones that follow a narrow subject line. What is the story's point? Does it mesh with your theme? Sticking to the straight and narrow should meld these together nicely.

6. Style. This element of the short story is often the most difficult to understand, the way the author writes. Is symbolism important? Are there any flash backs, or is the story's time element chronological? What is the point of view? (1st person, 3rd person all-knowing, 3rd person objective)
Was exaggeration used in the story and why? Was the ending foreshadowed and consistent?

Try to follow these key elements to short story writing:

• Introduction/exposition - The opening should introduce the main characters, start the action and fill in enough exposition (and setting - time & place) to indicate the general atmosphere of the story.
• Complication (Rising Action) - the conflicts between the characters, your protagonist (hero) and the antagonist. Remember, the antagonist does not have to be a person. The struggle they face is the basis of every story. It may be a conflict between people – a war or a person and nature (a skier in an avalanche), a lover’s misunderstanding (Romeo & Juliet) for example. The conflict may reflect itself in a struggle between two ideas or loyalties struggling within one person’s mind or spirit.
• Climax - The point in the story where the protagonist’s problems are solved, where the reader’s curiosity is satisfied and expectations fulfilled. The climax is the highest point of action in the story. The climax is reached when the conflict is settled.
• Conclusion - Has the plot and theme been accurately conveyed?

In our first exercise, choose a THEME that you'd like to write about based on one the following:

• A picture or painting you've just seen
• A article you've just read in a magazine or newspaper

When you think about THEME, write your statement down as a reply to this thread. In my example, I choose:All good deeds do not go un-noticed.

Next: Think of a subject matter to write about that will tie into your theme. Some ideas for you:
A special occassion
A holiday gathering
An adventure vacation
Life in an orphanage
How to entertain your children
Happiness on a shoestring (budget)
The secrets of X revealed
The confessions of ...
My date at the midnight pancake buffet
How I chose my child's name
My abduction on an alien spaceship
My day at a Pro sports game
My nature walk
The office picnic party

Come on now. Join in!  
Please reply with your planned theme and subject matter. The next part of the exercise is to write your opening paragraph and post that as well.

Good luck!
~Cleo