I was asked by a woman's magazine in the UK if I would like to contribute a serial, which is a longer short story appearing over three issues. I've contributed to the magazine before; two short stories of 1000 words and 2000 words. We're not talking a literary journal here but its a writing gig (and a competitive one at that, so I'm told) and it pays, so I think it is worth it. Besides, I work best if I have a deadline to work to so it gives me a goal. I've decided I will take up the challenge while I'm waiting for feedback on my WIP from my reader.
Writing short stories is very different from writing a novel. You have only a few thousand words to build worlds, create memorable characters, and convey plot and conflict. Every word has a big job to do. You still have to have a beginning, middle and end, but short stories do allow you to write a snapshot of a story or world that couldn't be sustained over 80,000 words. For instance, my story "Spa Break" is about a middle-aged woman who turns to a life of crime to support her spa habit. Makes for interesting reading (I hope) for 2000 words, but there isn't enough there for a novel. I love short stories because I have a million ideas and I know that 999,994 of them won't work for a novel, but would work in a short story.
So I went into this serial idea feeling pretty confident, but the reality of it is a bit more daunting. Each segment of the story is around 3,800 words. Once you get the story idea sorted (and this must appeal to the magazine's very specific readership), you must meet the structure requirements. In particular, you must end each segment on a cliffhanger note, something that makes the reader want to read on. We have experience with this in novels with chapters, but this is much more critical here. Whereas in a novel the reader only has to turn a page, in a serial, the plot point has to be so interesting that the reader is willing to wait a week and then buy the next issue of the magazine.
With this project, I find myself caught between the two worlds of novel structure and short story structure. I have to plot this serial, just as I do my novels. I have three acts (segments), with plot points occuring at the end of act one and act two. The climax, catharsis and wrap up scenes all have to occur in act three. And I have only 3800 words per act to do it -- and do it well. I'm used to having that many words for one chapter!
I'm sure I will learn from this excercise. But at the moment, I'm wondering if this serial filler is going to be the death of me!
What about you? Any experience with short stories or serials? Do you like to read short stories?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
100 Stories for Haiti call for submissions
100 Stories for Haiti is a collection of short stories being sold to raise money for relief efforts in disaster-striken Haiti. All proceeds go to the Red Cross. This worthwhile cause is the project of Greg McQueen, a British writer who wanted to do something for the unfortunate people of Haiti. They are still looking for short stories of 1000 words or less in all genres and have extended the deadline to Wednesday. Here are the details:
We want short story submissions to help raise money for disaster-stricken Haiti. Out of the submissions, 100 pieces of fiction will be chosen to appear in an e-book and paperback, the proceeds of which will go to the Red Cross.
If you want to send a short story, please follow these guidelines:
• Do not exceed 1,000 words.
• No stories containing graphic violence, death or destruction.
• We want stories with a lot of HEART, a dash of COMPASSION, and unmeasurable amounts of HOPE. Stories that anyone can read. Stories that leave you feeling as though life really is worth living.
Send all stories in the body of an email to: 100storiesforhaiti@gmail.com.
Stories sent as attachments will *not* be opened. Write “Submission” in the subject of the email.
Please follow the above guidelines carefully, and include your full contact details.
Nick Harkaway, author of ‘The Gone Away World’, will be editing a story for the book as well as penning the introduction.
The e-book will be sold on www.smashwords.com. The paperback will be published and sold by Unbound Press, and will be available online about a week after the release of the e-book
The website:
http://www.100storiesforhaiti.org/
Maybe you already have a story that word work, or maybe you are great under pressure and can bang one out in a day. Or maybe you or someone you know would love to buy the book and support this fantastic cause.
Another way to help would be to mention 100 Stories for Haiti or set up a link on your own blog. But please do it today because the deadline is Wednesday!
Thank you!
We want short story submissions to help raise money for disaster-stricken Haiti. Out of the submissions, 100 pieces of fiction will be chosen to appear in an e-book and paperback, the proceeds of which will go to the Red Cross.
If you want to send a short story, please follow these guidelines:
• Do not exceed 1,000 words.
• No stories containing graphic violence, death or destruction.
• We want stories with a lot of HEART, a dash of COMPASSION, and unmeasurable amounts of HOPE. Stories that anyone can read. Stories that leave you feeling as though life really is worth living.
Send all stories in the body of an email to: 100storiesforhaiti@gmail.com.
Stories sent as attachments will *not* be opened. Write “Submission” in the subject of the email.
Please follow the above guidelines carefully, and include your full contact details.
Nick Harkaway, author of ‘The Gone Away World’, will be editing a story for the book as well as penning the introduction.
The e-book will be sold on www.smashwords.com. The paperback will be published and sold by Unbound Press, and will be available online about a week after the release of the e-book
The website:
http://www.100storiesforhaiti.org/
Maybe you already have a story that word work, or maybe you are great under pressure and can bang one out in a day. Or maybe you or someone you know would love to buy the book and support this fantastic cause.
Another way to help would be to mention 100 Stories for Haiti or set up a link on your own blog. But please do it today because the deadline is Wednesday!
Thank you!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
A way to do something for Haiti...
If you are like me, you have been reading the stories about Haiti and wishing you could do something. And maybe you are like me and finding yourself unable to give as much financially as you would like to and would like some other way to contribute. Some fantastic people have established "100 Stories for Haiti," a short story anthology with proceeds going to the Red Cross.
The information for their site:
We want short story submissions to help raise money for disaster-stricken Haiti. Out of the submissions, 100 pieces of fiction will be chosen to appear in an e-book and paperback, the proceeds of which will go to the Red Cross.
If you want to send a short story, please follow these guidelines:
• Do not exceed 1,000 words.
• No stories containing graphic violence, death or destruction.
• We want stories with a lot of HEART, a dash of COMPASSION, and unmeasurable amounts of HOPE. Stories that anyone can read. Stories that leave you feeling as though life really is worth living.
Send all stories in the body of an email to: 100storiesforhaiti@gmail.com.
Stories sent as attachments will *not* be opened. Write “Submission” in the subject of the email.
Please follow the above guidelines carefully, and include your full contact details.
Stories must be received by Midnight, Monday 25 January, 2010. (Jenna's Note: this is midnight GMT, so check your time difference!)
Nick Harkaway, author of ‘The Gone Away World’, will be editing a story for the book as well as penning the introduction.
The e-book will be sold on www.smashwords.com. The paperback will be published and sold by Unbound Press, and will be available online about a week after the release of the e-book
The website:
http://www.100storiesforhaiti.org/
Maybe you have a story tucked away that might work for this. Or maybe you already a story of hope, yet unwritten, that is burning to be free. Or maybe you aren't able to contribute words, but could buy one of these great books when they are available. A way to give and get at the same time.
Thank you.
The information for their site:
We want short story submissions to help raise money for disaster-stricken Haiti. Out of the submissions, 100 pieces of fiction will be chosen to appear in an e-book and paperback, the proceeds of which will go to the Red Cross.
If you want to send a short story, please follow these guidelines:
• Do not exceed 1,000 words.
• No stories containing graphic violence, death or destruction.
• We want stories with a lot of HEART, a dash of COMPASSION, and unmeasurable amounts of HOPE. Stories that anyone can read. Stories that leave you feeling as though life really is worth living.
Send all stories in the body of an email to: 100storiesforhaiti@gmail.com.
Stories sent as attachments will *not* be opened. Write “Submission” in the subject of the email.
Please follow the above guidelines carefully, and include your full contact details.
Stories must be received by Midnight, Monday 25 January, 2010. (Jenna's Note: this is midnight GMT, so check your time difference!)
Nick Harkaway, author of ‘The Gone Away World’, will be editing a story for the book as well as penning the introduction.
The e-book will be sold on www.smashwords.com. The paperback will be published and sold by Unbound Press, and will be available online about a week after the release of the e-book
The website:
http://www.100storiesforhaiti.org/
Maybe you have a story tucked away that might work for this. Or maybe you already a story of hope, yet unwritten, that is burning to be free. Or maybe you aren't able to contribute words, but could buy one of these great books when they are available. A way to give and get at the same time.
Thank you.
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