(Aug 23, 2012) Friday Writing Essentials: Let's Focus on Short Fiction!

Hello!

Okay, so next week we're having another ultrasound. And they're going to have us keep going back free of charge, until the baby is cooperative and we're able to find out what gender s/he is for sure! We've been having a really hard time - most of our family lives out of state, and people are sending us gifts for both boys and girls (it doesn't matter what we tell certain relatives... :-)), and we've become the donation spot for baby clothes. I don't want to say no because we could use the clothes regardless of which gender the baby is, but things are getting chaotic! It'll be so nice to tell people we're 98% sure it's a girl, rather than we're 45% sure it's a girl. :-)

Trying to think of anything else you all would want to know. I have cute glitter toenails... did them last night... I'm sure you don't care about that, though. :-)

I did, however, just realize I've been an editor for Writing Essential for more than a year. Wow. I still feel new at this!

Anyway. :-) On to today's prompt!

As you know, we're focusing on specific fiction genres each week. We've covered:

• Romance
• Historical fiction
• Contemporary
• Children's Fiction
• Mystery
• Horror
• Sci-fi/fantasy
• Thrillers
• Crime/Detective
• Inspirational
• Humorous
• Westerns
  

The order in which these genres will be covered:

• Short Fiction (Today)

Holy cow! We're on the last genre! Though, it's been brought to my attention that we haven't done fictional war stories or paranormal (separate from horror/fantasy/romance). Please chime in below if you want us to focus on one of those!

Today's Prompt:

I've FINALLY started writing short fiction! Just released one little fantasy/horror story called The Music of Anna Morse that is doing really well so far. It was a lot of fun to write, but is a little over 10,000 words. I haven't ever attempted to write something shorter than 8,000, and I don't know how successful I'd be. Like with writing humor, I admire people who can pull off a great short story in only a couple thousand words! How they do it, I don't know. For me, it's the impossible task right now. :-)

Ways in which you may respond to this prompt:

• Post something you've written in this genre
  
  • It can be any section of your work, and that section doesn't necessarily have to be an "example" of a short fiction, so long as the work in its entirety is considered to be that genre.
  • It can be any of the short fiction subgenres.
    
  • It can be something you're working on and for which you're needing feedback. (Specify if you want critiques. I recommend the first few paragraphs - those are the ones that usually need the most strengthening.)
    
  • It can be something you've already finished/published/don't want to work on more.
    
  • Don't make it too long (if posts are too long, people are discouraged from reading them and lose interest).
    

More ways to respond:

• Respond to all (or some) of the questions below, giving short answers
• Respond to one of the questions below, giving a long answer

Questions you could answer as a possible prompt response:

• What are the steps - to you - in writing good short fiction?
• What exactly is short fiction? (Length, etc.)
  
• Do you feel this is an inborn talent for people, or something that can be achieved through practice and hard work?
• Have you seen short fiction translate successfully to the big screen?
• What is your favorite piece of short fiction? Why?
  
• Who is your favorite short fiction author? Why?
• What are the main characteristics of a short fiction, along with some not-so-apparent ones?
• What makes good short fiction?
• What is the most difficult part of writing in this genre? The easiest part?
  

What other questions do you want answered or do you think I should ask? Put them in the comments below, or ask and answer them in your post!

Remember:

You have until Thursday, August 30, 2012 at midnight to write and post, and it can be in any format.

I will read, comment on, and feature your responses a week from today.

* Have your title say FWE or Friday Writing Essential, and have the initials "LFSF" (Let's Focus on Short Fiction) in it.

* Make sure to post to the Writing Essential Group.

* Put FWE or Friday Writing Essentials and the initials "LFSF" in your tags. (I won't find your post without these tags.)

Have a great week! :-)