Are you inspired by Jane Austen? Love to read her books? Looking for a way to build publication credits? Whether your love to read or write is inspired by Jane Austen, here's a contest for you.
The Republic of Pemberly, an amazing site for all things Regency and Jane Austen, is hosting a short story contest in conjuntion with Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose (another great Austen site) and Random House. The winner's story will appear in the anthology Jane Austen Made Me Do It, to be edited by Laurel Ann and published by Random House this year.
Jane Austen Made Me Do It contains more than twenty best-selling and popular authors who have contributed short stories inspired by Jane Austen, her novels and her philosophies of life and love. From historical continuations of her plots and characters to contemporary spinoffs and comedies, the stories encapsulate what we love about our favorite author: romance, social satire and witty humor. Contributing to the line-up are best-selling authors Karen Joy Fowler (The Jane Austen Book Club), Adriana Trigiani (Brava, Valentine), Lauren Willig (The Pink Carnation series), Laurie Viera Rigler (The Jane Austen Addict series), Syrie James (The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen), Stephanie Barron (Being A Jane Austen Mystery series), and the husband and wife writing team of Frank Delaney (Venetia Kelly's Traveling Show) and Diane Meier (The Season of Second Chances). Many Austenesque authors and others from related genres have already contributed to the project. One spot in the anthology remains open for the lucky Grand Prize winner.
To enter, you must submit an original, previously unpublished 5000 word short story of your own creation inspired by, or based upon, Jane Austen, her novels, characters, letters, philosophies of life and/or love. The story can be set in any era and may include romantic and suspenseful elements, but you must stay within the realm of Jane Austen's sphere of social decorum, avoiding profanity, violence or "adult" content. The contest is open to previously unpublished (short stories OK) US residents. Full details are available here.
The contest is open now and runs through February 13. Voting for the Top Ten finalists runs February 14 - 28, 2011 on Pemberley, with the Top Ten finalists announced on March 1, 2011. The Grand Prize winner receives $500.00 and a contract for publication in the anthology Jane Austen Made Me Do It.
Since Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors, and as I spent the better part of a year researching the Regency for my novel, I am definitely entering this. Plus, a shot at publication in a Random House book? Sign me up!
If you like writing short stories, head on over. If you like reading short stories, head on over! There are currently a few entries up for viewing and I'm hoping mine will be there soon. And don't worry, I'll post a reminder when it is time to vote.
Showing posts with label short stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label short stories. Show all posts
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Story Idea Generators
While The Shadow Scribe is out on query, I need to move on and keep writing. I know I should start the next Big One, but I just can't bring myself to do it yet. I started a long post on why that is, but it was too heavy for a Tuesday, so we'll save it for another day.
Instead, I'm moving on to some short stories. I am lucky to have a relationship with a weekly British woman's magazine that publishes short stories. Woman's Weekly have published two of my stories (2006, 2009) and part one of my first serial will hit the newsstand next week (serials run 3-4 parts of 3800 words each). (If you want to see some excerpts, head on over to my website.) WW recently OK'd another serial idea so I just sent the first part for their approval. As I wait for word from the editor (yes, one more reason to refresh my inbox 30 times an hour), I need something quick to distract me.
But the question is "Where to Start?" Most of my short story ideas just come out of the blue but sometimes, like this week, I needed a jumping off point. When that happens, I turn to a story idea generator. At first, I was skeptical of the generators, which randomly pair up character, conflict and setting. Some go as far as adding themes, beginnings and endings. Results can be cliched, strange, or just plain nonsense. But for me, the results make me think.
A few months back, I used Cally Taylor's short story generator and it gave me: a business man, a playground, regains consciousness. Naturally that begs the question of what a businessman is doing in a playground. A pedofile? A devoted father? A developer looking at tearing it down and building condos? After musing on that for a moment, the idea for "Know Thyself," my first three part serial was born.
This weekend, I turned to the Seventh Sanctum Quick Story Idea generator. While some of these combinations were way too out there for me (lighthearted tragedy about an unbalanced princess?), I kept seeing the character of "ethical smuggler." It gave me a story idea - hopefully perfect for a 2000 word short for the magazine - that will be my project for the next few days.
The nice thing about short stories is that they give more immediate gratification. I know I won't be editing my story for months at a time. I know that if the magazine rejects it, I've only wasted a few days, not years of my life. And they pay. So I get to feel like my writing is contributing a little to my family.
And you? Have you used any story generators or writing prompt sites, whether for novel ideas or short stories? Do you ever distract yourself from your WIP by writing shorter works?
Instead, I'm moving on to some short stories. I am lucky to have a relationship with a weekly British woman's magazine that publishes short stories. Woman's Weekly have published two of my stories (2006, 2009) and part one of my first serial will hit the newsstand next week (serials run 3-4 parts of 3800 words each). (If you want to see some excerpts, head on over to my website.) WW recently OK'd another serial idea so I just sent the first part for their approval. As I wait for word from the editor (yes, one more reason to refresh my inbox 30 times an hour), I need something quick to distract me.
But the question is "Where to Start?" Most of my short story ideas just come out of the blue but sometimes, like this week, I needed a jumping off point. When that happens, I turn to a story idea generator. At first, I was skeptical of the generators, which randomly pair up character, conflict and setting. Some go as far as adding themes, beginnings and endings. Results can be cliched, strange, or just plain nonsense. But for me, the results make me think.
A few months back, I used Cally Taylor's short story generator and it gave me: a business man, a playground, regains consciousness. Naturally that begs the question of what a businessman is doing in a playground. A pedofile? A devoted father? A developer looking at tearing it down and building condos? After musing on that for a moment, the idea for "Know Thyself," my first three part serial was born.
This weekend, I turned to the Seventh Sanctum Quick Story Idea generator. While some of these combinations were way too out there for me (lighthearted tragedy about an unbalanced princess?), I kept seeing the character of "ethical smuggler." It gave me a story idea - hopefully perfect for a 2000 word short for the magazine - that will be my project for the next few days.
The nice thing about short stories is that they give more immediate gratification. I know I won't be editing my story for months at a time. I know that if the magazine rejects it, I've only wasted a few days, not years of my life. And they pay. So I get to feel like my writing is contributing a little to my family.
And you? Have you used any story generators or writing prompt sites, whether for novel ideas or short stories? Do you ever distract yourself from your WIP by writing shorter works?
Friday, February 5, 2010
So how does it end?
In my quest to find the serial filler, I finally came up with an idea that I thought would work for the target market (40+ British homemakers) and the structure (three parts, 3800 words each part, the first two parts ending on a cliffhanger of sorts, and the final part wrapping it all up). I was supposed to send the idea to the editor first but when I sat down to write the synopsis, the story took over and I finished the first part and the outline of the second two. I'm really digging the storyline, which is a great feeling no matter what you are writing.
I sent of the very brief synopsis and the first part to the editor. Unlike the first two ideas I sent, which got almost immediate knockbacks, I didn't hear from her for a few days. Today, I had an email saying she'd showed it to the editor in chief and they both loved it and to go ahead and finish. But she also said she wondered about the ending, as it looked like it would be tricky. "I'm sure you'll work it out," she wrote, very supportingly.
Um, yeah. I've been wondering about that ending myself. I think I know where I want to go with it, but I'm not quite sure how it will play out. Or if it will play out in the space allotted. Or if it will satisfy the readership. This is new territory for me, as I usually know EXACTLY what happens in my stories (I am a compulsive plotter). I guess I'm just trusting this story and these characters to take me on the journey we are meant to travel.
So how about you? Do you know how your story will end? Maybe you start with the ending and work your way back. Or do you ride the train with your characters and get off when they do?
I sent of the very brief synopsis and the first part to the editor. Unlike the first two ideas I sent, which got almost immediate knockbacks, I didn't hear from her for a few days. Today, I had an email saying she'd showed it to the editor in chief and they both loved it and to go ahead and finish. But she also said she wondered about the ending, as it looked like it would be tricky. "I'm sure you'll work it out," she wrote, very supportingly.
Um, yeah. I've been wondering about that ending myself. I think I know where I want to go with it, but I'm not quite sure how it will play out. Or if it will play out in the space allotted. Or if it will satisfy the readership. This is new territory for me, as I usually know EXACTLY what happens in my stories (I am a compulsive plotter). I guess I'm just trusting this story and these characters to take me on the journey we are meant to travel.
So how about you? Do you know how your story will end? Maybe you start with the ending and work your way back. Or do you ride the train with your characters and get off when they do?
Friday, January 29, 2010
Serial Filler
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?
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?
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Someone get me a hammer!
Platform is getting to be a dirty word in my house. My husband, because he doesn't pore over the (seeming) millions of agent and writer blogs and sites that I do every day, just does not get the concept of platform. He can't understand the shameless self-promotion that a writer must engage in to be successful. Everytime I mention the word, he shrugs and gives me the 'whatever' look.
I must admit, I've been sweating this. I'm so busy revising my WIP for the three (yes three - squeee!) agents that want to see it that I just haven't had time to blog. I don't Twitter and I use Facebook only for keeping in touch with friends and family. I've moved twelve times in twenty years which means that I have a very large, geographically diverse network of friends and colleagues, but I've not developed it as a tool for promotion. And truthfully, I don't like the idea of doing something just because I should, particulary if it doesn't feel natural.
So it was with great relief that I read Nathan Bransford's blog on the subject (I also saw it on Shelli's fantastic blog).
A few days ago, I was contacted by the fiction editor at the magazine that has published a few of my short stories. She wanted to know if I was interested in writing a three-part serial for them (about 12,000 words), or maybe just submitting a few more short stories. As this is a well-known woman's magazine in the UK with a high circulation (350,000), it would be great exposure. And I started to think, maybe I should just focus on writing to build my platform, at least for now.
I must admit, I've been sweating this. I'm so busy revising my WIP for the three (yes three - squeee!) agents that want to see it that I just haven't had time to blog. I don't Twitter and I use Facebook only for keeping in touch with friends and family. I've moved twelve times in twenty years which means that I have a very large, geographically diverse network of friends and colleagues, but I've not developed it as a tool for promotion. And truthfully, I don't like the idea of doing something just because I should, particulary if it doesn't feel natural.
So it was with great relief that I read Nathan Bransford's blog on the subject (I also saw it on Shelli's fantastic blog).
A few days ago, I was contacted by the fiction editor at the magazine that has published a few of my short stories. She wanted to know if I was interested in writing a three-part serial for them (about 12,000 words), or maybe just submitting a few more short stories. As this is a well-known woman's magazine in the UK with a high circulation (350,000), it would be great exposure. And I started to think, maybe I should just focus on writing to build my platform, at least for now.
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