Short Story Tip Time

9th Installment

Tuesday, April 25th, 2017

We're back once again for more Short Story Tip Time.  In our 8th Installment, we did an overview of some of the things we had discussed and learned.  We talked about writing in Journals and Diaries to help get our writing flow going.  We also briefly discussed what a Memoir is all about.

For those Writers who were interested in using Writing Apps, information was provided for free Writing Apps for your Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and Desktops.  Any feedback, comments or questions are always welcomed here on the Blog.

You are able to go back to any previous Blog post at any time by simply scrolling down, or clicking on any of the previous Blog post links in the far right hand column.

If you joined us here on the last Blog post, you would have found information on the benefits of keeping a Diary.  I received a lot of feedback thanking me for that particular Blog post entitled, "Hold on Short Story Writers".  You can simply scroll down to view it.

"Hold on Short Story Writers"

In this 9th Installment of Short Story Tip Time, we are going to talk about therapeutic ways to really get into your writing.  The most important part of a pleasant writing experience involves relaxation.

Many writers meditate.  While there are many ways to meditate, there is always a particular meditation practice that you will enjoy more.

I'm going to provide a link that will aid you in learning more about the different ways to Meditate.  The link will give you an Overview of 23 Meditation Techniques.

The Overview will provide you with a lot of information about Meditation practices and techniques.  However, there are still other ways to meditate in addition to what you will find in the Article provided.  I personally prefer Meditating with Music.  It is wonderful, relaxing and soothing to the soul.

Another method I enjoy is Biblical Meditation wherein I'm focused on the presence of God.  I've also found that reading the Scriptures helps to expand your thought process as well as grow your spirit.

Also, many of the Readers following along will be familiar with the Oprah & Deepak 21 Day Meditation Experience that takes place from time to time.  There is currently a session going on right now on the topic of "HOPE IN UNCERTAIN TIMES" which began on April 10th, 2017.  [Click on the above link to get there].

I really enjoy the Oprah & Deepak 21 Day Meditation Experiences, as they are relaxing and eye~opening.  You may find them to be helpful as well.  You can do them at your own pace (pretty much).  If you miss a day or two, you can still catch up and back-track to the days you missed.  There is also a Journal where you can answer questions and really get into the Meditation by exploring your thoughts.  The Meditation with Oprah & Deepak is free and enjoyable.

Many Writers have studied different religions and cultures, and are therefore grounded in what they believe in, but are also open to learn about others.  Differences in religions and cultures will never erase the fact that we all have emotions, feelings, and life experiences that are common to one another.  We should always seek to appreciate and learn from each other.

With that being said, you may also find it helpful to read Books authored by brilliant Writers who come from different backgrounds and cultures.  It is also helpful to check out the Travel channels and go to various countries on the television or the computer if you can't get there by plane, train or automobile.  Putting your fingers on the keyboard is the next best way to travel!

Here are a few more great tips for you today:  Take time to get online and find a free Workshop or a YouTube Clip that discusses any of the following...

1.  How to create a Book Cover

2.  How to write a short story

3.  How to join a Writer's Group

4.  How to publish a Short Story

5.  How to write a Memoir

6.  How to write a Novel

I sure hope you've found our Short Story Tip Time helpful.  See you next time back here on the Blog with something NEW!

Peace, Love & Light,

      René      

©Copyright - René Allen - APRIL 2017 - All Rights Reserved

  

Short Story Tip Time

6th Installment

Friday, April 21st, 2017

Good Evening Short Story Writers, Authors, Novelists and aspiring Authors & Novelists ~

We're back once again to discuss writing the first sentence of our Short Stories.

In our last Session, we discussed eight Short Story ideas to get you going with your fabulous Writing.  You should have written Notes in your Journal, and tried your hand at writing the first sentence of your Short Story.

It is really a great deal of fun to come up with a creation of your own making from scratch.  It is even more fun when you don't think about it too hard or too long.

Many first time Writers start out with plots, outlines, scripts, or lay-outs with a flurry of detail.  That is fine if you are the type of person that has to have things in order before you begin.  However, we are moving along the path of making this Short Story Writing Project a relaxing an enjoyable Session that won't stress you out.

Writing is about the discovery of new worlds, and definitely about finding a path that leads you to deeper insight concerning the stuff you are made of.

If you had the chance to test your short story idea or ideas out on your friends, a Writer's Group, or an online community, then you may have come back here with good feedback that helped you to buzz right along with the beginning of your Short Story.

Now here is where we learn more about what our first sentence can do to provide inspiration and motivation to keep the momentum going . . .

Take this first sentence for example:

"Audrey took the black rose and laid it on the grave."

In what direction does that sentence lead your mind?

Does it make you think about being at the grave of a friend or a foe?

Does this sentence immediately make you wonder about who Audrey is?

Alright, with those two questions in mind, your next logical step would be to talk about the setting.  Where is this grave?  What is the weather like?  Whose grave is this?  Why the black rose?

From those points, you would then roll on into your next sentence . . .

"After battling for months with her ex-husband about the properties they owned together, and then finding out that he had committed suicide, Audrey resigned herself to leaving a black rose at his grave."

From the second sentence, we now know on whose grave the black rose was laid, and a touch about why the color "black".

Our third sentence would go further into Audrey's background, and then move on to the location of where the scene is taking place.

You'll find that after laying down one sentence after another, your mind will develop the story magically!

If you have any questions about the process of writing your first sentence, or about developing your story line, just tune in to our next . . .

Tip Time!

7th Installment coming right up! 

Peace, Love & Light,

  René

©Copyright - René Allen - APRIL 2017 - All Rights Reserved

Short Story Tip Time

4th Installment

Wednesday, April 19th, 2017

We're starting this day off bright and early with another dose of our Short Story Tip Time.  We will learn a little more about writing a short story.  We'll also find out about ideas for writing your short story.

One thing is for sure, there is no short list of ideas for Short Story tales.  They are as unique and varied as the day is long ~ well maybe longer.

Everyone has a story to tell.  There are so many variations of the same story that it would make you head spin if you allowed all of the various stories of the same sort to infiltrate your brain.

You know how many movies there are about the same subject matter right -- the airplane tales, the scary house tales, the relationship tales involving the third party, the kids on vacation  tales, the work environment romance tales, and the list goes on and on.

Now, lets just say that you have a story inside of you that no one has ever heard before, or seen before, or written about before.   Do you think that is possible?

I guarantee you it is possible to have a unique story -- the names will change, the places will change, the scenes in the story will change, and the twists and turns will change -- even if someone has dared to tell a similar story like yours before -- your story will be different -- maybe even better!

Take a moment today or this evening to sit down at your trusty typewriter, and wrap your head around writing your Short Story . . .

Writing the first sentence

All you need to do to get started is to write the first sentence.  Let your mind get tuned up.  Look at the typewriter keys.  See how beautiful they are?  Look closely.  Get familiar with the Backspace bar, the Enter key, the Shift keys on the left and right, your Tab key, your Caps Lock key on the left, your ctrl keys on the left and right, and most importantly your Delete key.  Your Delete key will be used a lot.  And so will your space bar and your backspace bar.  We love to go backwards and forwards in life -- some of us, and those two keys seem to fit the personalities of the back and forth folks.  Your space bar will not have any letters or writing on it.  It will be blank.  It is blank because it will be used a lot and there is no need to put any letters on it that will wear off.

You'd be surprised at how many people just sit down at the typewriter and type away without ever taking a look at the keys before they start.  They have typed so much over the years, it is like riding a bike.  For some writers, they have worn off the letters on the keys because they type so much.  I'm one of those people, so don't think I'm talking about you on the sly.

Let us focus on writing the first sentence.  What is it that is on your mind at the moment you sit down at the typewriter.  Think for a minute if you draw a blank.  Breathe in and out to collect your thoughts if you need to.  Your first sentence is the momentum starter and the spark for your story.

You can decide what you want your story to be about or not.  It is not really important right now.  All we want to do is write one sentence.

We will come back here for Short Story ideas in our next Session.  Today's practice is to sit at the typewriter and type.  One sentence is all we're looking for right now.  If you do more than one sentence, glory hallelujah!  We might just have a real Writer on our hands.

See all you wonderful Writers and Authors back here for Short Story ideas in our next Blog Session.

We're getting our first sentence together

Peace, Love & Light,

  René

©Copyright - René Allen - APRIL 2017 - All Rights Reserved