Man I just read Zuzgwang and like every short story I've read from you, the precision in your choice of words really creates magic. I aspire to create pictures in the reader's mind as vivid as yours! Also I must thank you since once again your advices are on point, and after years of struggling, writing starts to truly make sense to me, I hope you never forget how much you do help people and how you deserve to believe in yourself!
I just read this story too, and exactly my thoughts. You have no idea Shaelin, how you have helped me throughout these years, but particularly with this one short story. I read it in the middle of a literal panic attack and for reasons unknown to me, it instantly calmed me down. It felt like a sigh that was trapped inside me but was released slowly through your words. So I cannot thank you enough. Keep writing and keep talking about writing!
All of your short fiction resources have been so incredibly helpful, thank you so much. I’ve never taken any writing courses or known anyone that submits short stories, so the process was very intimidating at first trying to figure it out on my own. But just the other day I got the email and am going to be published in a prominent magazine. I still can’t believe it. Big thanks to you in helping people like me understand the process.
Great video! I think with short fiction, compelling characters take precedence over story, whereas in longer fiction, story and character are more complimentary to each other. And that's just generally speaking, always exceptions of course.
Shaelin always has the best writing advice, but their button-up selection is simply outstanding! Maybe one day we'll have a lookbook/outfits tutorial. ;u;
of all the info on the internets about every aspect of writing, Shaelin, your videos are the most valuable and useful. I get so much from all your nuts and bolts craft info. I always come back to your channel. So practical yet so inspirational at the same time. Thank you!
How do you find lit magazines and decide where to submit shorts? What lit magazines do you subscribe to and read? Do you read a lot of shorts? Are there trends in shorts, can you discuss some trends you've noticed? What are shorts everyone should read from the last few years? Is the character arc of a lit fic writer to first get a BA degree, write write write, get published, and if one gets some accolades, go on the lecture circuit to sell books and build an audience, get an MFA, then become a teaacher to finally get a steady paycheck to write and also usher in a new crop of lit fic writers? Is that the life cycle?
Can you talk about how to structure a novella? Or in which ways it might be different than a novel or short story structure! It would be sooo helpful!!
Wondering if we can get a full video about vignettes? Always has been curious on how to work them into works without looking disjointed, like a camera focusing in for too long. Thanks!!!
I have a question: writing craft wise, how should a creative nonfiction/memoir piece be structured/written differently than a short story? How similar are they?
The writing gods have smiled on Zugzwang! Now all I need is We the girls and my life will be completed (And also the Potrait of a lady on fire story) (Also the interwoven double narrative cult story) Yeah then I'll be complete
Shaelin - Would you ever do a video on finding the purpose of your story? Purpose being either the story's "theme" or if you're going character-based, "What you're trying to reveal about the character." I've been trying to figure this out, but draft after draft, I just can't pin it down. I always learn so much from your way of teaching, I was hoping you could cover the topic one of these days, especially in terms of your published short stories, since I've read those countless of times, and if you could discuss what your purpose for each story ultimately was and how that came to you or how you unearthed it, it would be incredibly illuminating. I hope you consider it. Thank you!
I was about to start doing some damage control for a short story, so this was so well-timed! Would you happen to have any advice for deciding when adding another perspective would benefit the story and when it just bogs it down and the story would be better off being more focused on one character? I'm struggling with this right now. I feel like I'm exploring two disjointed pieces surrounding a single event, but I'm enjoying both of them. So, I'm having trouble deciding if I should pull the plug on one (i.e. add it to my doc of lost children lol) or if both are worth exploring within the frame of this story and I just need to find a way to connect them more cohesively.
In my opinion, most stories are best told through only one POV. You'll find the odd story with multiple POVs, but it is very rare, and I find that typically when I read stories with multiple POVs, it feels too crowded and like the story would be better suited to the long form. If you think it's what's right for the story it's worth trying! But, I find that because short stories are usually very focused and specific, it's usually best to stay as focused on one story as possible. You could also write two interlinked short stories, each following one of the characters. Lots of collections are interlinked and have recurring characters, so this is also a cool option.
I have the exact same problem as the last question, except I've finished several short stories, and trying to finish a novel seems impossible. And it's a bit tougher to stick it out with a novel, but I get closer all the time!
I just tested positive for COVID-19. I believe it's Omicron, since I'm experiencing its classic symptoms (night sweats, back pain, itchy throat). My country (India) is entering its third phase. I plan to use my isolation period working on revising my short story. Thanks for the tips! ✍🏽😷
Hi, Shaelin! Now that you’ve finished Honey Vinegar, will you hire an editor to help you edit it before you start querying or do you do your edits with your own writing community? For someone who doesn’t have a community like that that they trust, would you recommend hiring an editor to help, even if you’re going the traditional publishing route?
I don't plan to hire a professional editor because it's a huge cost and I don't feel I need to since I have access to great feedback from friends in my writing group, but it's definitely a good option if you don't feel like you can get solid feedback from a personal writing circle!
It's called Elise Holding a Deer Mouse, 1829! I thought it would be published by the time this video went live haha because I thought the issue came out in June, but it hasn't actually gone live yet, but it should soon! It's in the next issue of CAROUSEL!
For some reason I just fucking panicked rn and then laughed out loud at myself that I legit got scared and panicked at this - but if Pearl turns into a statue at the end of C&J .(given the story is written in past tense)... when is she telling the story?
I didn't talk about it in this video, I think @rev was just asking out of curiosity! It's never stated directly in the story that she turns into a statue, but it's implied by the fact that she goes into a garden that Simone has forbidden her children from entering, and the garden is full of extremely lifelike statues that look like real people who have been petrified (since, well, they are!), and also because of the allusions to the garden of eden/original sin and therefore punishment for giving in to temptation (temptation being the core idea of the story). I'll be honest though, I thought this implication was extremely obvious when I wrote the story, but almost no one seems to get it so I guess it wasn't as obvious as I thought it was haha. When I publish it in my collection, I'll probably slightly tweak the ending. If you're curious on more in-depth rambling about what my intentions were with the story I actually have an entire blog post on it here: shaelinwrites.tumblr.com/post/619405369916194816/cherry-jane-in-the-garden-of-eden-what-went
@@adityayedetore2410 I do have a couple more! Wishbone: shaelinwrites.tumblr.com/post/626642753006305280/wishbone-what-went-into-it Hold Me Under Till I See the Light:shaelinwrites.tumblr.com/post/651761036216664064/hold-me-under-till-i-see-the-light-what-went
@@adityayedetore2410 Haha I actually wrote Hold Me Under Till I See the Light a year before Cherry and Jane in the Garden of Eden, so that's probably not it! C&J was just published first, because the magazine that published HMU is a print magazine, it took a lot longer for that issue to come out after it had been accepted. I also had to submit HMU much longer, it's interesting you find it the much better story because it was rejected 10 times and took over a year to be accepted! In comparison, C&J was only rejected twice before being accepted and was accepted the first month I started submitting it.
Man I just read Zuzgwang and like every short story I've read from you, the precision in your choice of words really creates magic. I aspire to create pictures in the reader's mind as vivid as yours! Also I must thank you since once again your advices are on point, and after years of struggling, writing starts to truly make sense to me, I hope you never forget how much you do help people and how you deserve to believe in yourself!
Ahh thank you!! This means so much
I just read this story too, and exactly my thoughts. You have no idea Shaelin, how you have helped me throughout these years, but particularly with this one short story. I read it in the middle of a literal panic attack and for reasons unknown to me, it instantly calmed me down. It felt like a sigh that was trapped inside me but was released slowly through your words. So I cannot thank you enough. Keep writing and keep talking about writing!
Ahhh perfect!! I just started outlining my first short story today!
Ohhhh I am so excited for you!!
yes omg another short fic vid, this is wonderful!!
All of your short fiction resources have been so incredibly helpful, thank you so much. I’ve never taken any writing courses or known anyone that submits short stories, so the process was very intimidating at first trying to figure it out on my own. But just the other day I got the email and am going to be published in a prominent magazine. I still can’t believe it. Big thanks to you in helping people like me understand the process.
Can you do a ‘stories I’ve written lately video? I’m nosy!
Great video! I think with short fiction, compelling characters take precedence over story, whereas in longer fiction, story and character are more complimentary to each other. And that's just generally speaking, always exceptions of course.
ooh im so hyped! ive always wondered on how to write good character arcs in short fiction! this will be fun
Shaelin always has the best writing advice, but their button-up selection is simply outstanding!
Maybe one day we'll have a lookbook/outfits tutorial. ;u;
Oh my style is literally just Button-Ups. They are all I know and I love.
of all the info on the internets about every aspect of writing, Shaelin, your videos are the most valuable and useful. I get so much from all your nuts and bolts craft info. I always come back to your channel. So practical yet so inspirational at the same time. Thank you!
I was just rewatching the 15 Tips for Writing better short story video - What sorcery is this
shaelin knows the secrets to our heart :)
Another awesome video. Thank you Shaelin!!!
thank you, your videos are not just useful, but always motivating :)
How do you find lit magazines and decide where to submit shorts? What lit magazines do you subscribe to and read? Do you read a lot of shorts? Are there trends in shorts, can you discuss some trends you've noticed? What are shorts everyone should read from the last few years?
Is the character arc of a lit fic writer to first get a BA degree, write write write, get published, and if one gets some accolades, go on the lecture circuit to sell books and build an audience, get an MFA, then become a teaacher to finally get a steady paycheck to write and also usher in a new crop of lit fic writers? Is that the life cycle?
I cover lots of these questions about magazines/publishing in the last part of this q&a which should be up in 2-3 weeks!
Can you talk about how to structure a novella? Or in which ways it might be different than a novel or short story structure! It would be sooo helpful!!
Keep up the short fiction videos. Loving these. 😀❤🤎
Wondering if we can get a full video about vignettes? Always has been curious on how to work them into works without looking disjointed, like a camera focusing in for too long. Thanks!!!
I have a question: writing craft wise, how should a creative nonfiction/memoir piece be structured/written differently than a short story? How similar are they?
The writing gods have smiled on Zugzwang! Now all I need is We the girls and my life will be completed
(And also the Potrait of a lady on fire story)
(Also the interwoven double narrative cult story)
Yeah then I'll be complete
Portrait if a Lady on Fire story should be out soon!! Idk when exactly but soon!! Hopefully this month!
@@ShaelinWrites Damn what good did I ever do to deserve this 😭😭😭
@@ShaelinWrites omg congrats!!! so excited to read it
Shaelin - Would you ever do a video on finding the purpose of your story? Purpose being either the story's "theme" or if you're going character-based, "What you're trying to reveal about the character." I've been trying to figure this out, but draft after draft, I just can't pin it down. I always learn so much from your way of teaching, I was hoping you could cover the topic one of these days, especially in terms of your published short stories, since I've read those countless of times, and if you could discuss what your purpose for each story ultimately was and how that came to you or how you unearthed it, it would be incredibly illuminating. I hope you consider it. Thank you!
I appreciate all your videos!!!
I was about to start doing some damage control for a short story, so this was so well-timed! Would you happen to have any advice for deciding when adding another perspective would benefit the story and when it just bogs it down and the story would be better off being more focused on one character? I'm struggling with this right now. I feel like I'm exploring two disjointed pieces surrounding a single event, but I'm enjoying both of them. So, I'm having trouble deciding if I should pull the plug on one (i.e. add it to my doc of lost children lol) or if both are worth exploring within the frame of this story and I just need to find a way to connect them more cohesively.
In my opinion, most stories are best told through only one POV. You'll find the odd story with multiple POVs, but it is very rare, and I find that typically when I read stories with multiple POVs, it feels too crowded and like the story would be better suited to the long form. If you think it's what's right for the story it's worth trying! But, I find that because short stories are usually very focused and specific, it's usually best to stay as focused on one story as possible. You could also write two interlinked short stories, each following one of the characters. Lots of collections are interlinked and have recurring characters, so this is also a cool option.
I have the exact same problem as the last question, except I've finished several short stories, and trying to finish a novel seems impossible. And it's a bit tougher to stick it out with a novel, but I get closer all the time!
I just tested positive for COVID-19. I believe it's Omicron, since I'm experiencing its classic symptoms (night sweats, back pain, itchy throat). My country (India) is entering its third phase. I plan to use my isolation period working on revising my short story. Thanks for the tips! ✍🏽😷
Hi, Shaelin! Now that you’ve finished Honey Vinegar, will you hire an editor to help you edit it before you start querying or do you do your edits with your own writing community? For someone who doesn’t have a community like that that they trust, would you recommend hiring an editor to help, even if you’re going the traditional publishing route?
I don't plan to hire a professional editor because it's a huge cost and I don't feel I need to since I have access to great feedback from friends in my writing group, but it's definitely a good option if you don't feel like you can get solid feedback from a personal writing circle!
I love that telescope metaphor around 7:00, and good luck with the vaccine :)
Thank you for saving my boring and lonely friday night
“Vague vignettes with homoerotic subtext” wow my life
same
great work.
is there any magazines that submit teen writers?
Have u tried writing Episode stories with am account? You can use your stories for that. They pay u.
Which story is the homoerotic vignette one? ;)
It's called Elise Holding a Deer Mouse, 1829! I thought it would be published by the time this video went live haha because I thought the issue came out in June, but it hasn't actually gone live yet, but it should soon! It's in the next issue of CAROUSEL!
Hi Shaelin How Are You 😊
Is a short story a novelette? And is a novelette different from a novella?
A novelette is usually longer than a short story but shorter than a novella. It's a bit of an uncommon term though!
@@ShaelinWrites thanks!
I don’t center a short story around character or plot as much as a Vibe
Oh my I...relate so much as someone whose stories always start as "weird vibes with no concept"
For some reason I just fucking panicked rn and then laughed out loud at myself that I legit got scared and panicked at this - but if Pearl turns into a statue at the end of C&J .(given the story is written in past tense)... when is she telling the story?
I always imagined that as a statue she was still, like, conscious? So she's just telling the story from statue form lmao
@@ShaelinWrites That's so fucked up. The next read of the story is gonna be wild for me
I didn't talk about it in this video, I think @rev was just asking out of curiosity! It's never stated directly in the story that she turns into a statue, but it's implied by the fact that she goes into a garden that Simone has forbidden her children from entering, and the garden is full of extremely lifelike statues that look like real people who have been petrified (since, well, they are!), and also because of the allusions to the garden of eden/original sin and therefore punishment for giving in to temptation (temptation being the core idea of the story). I'll be honest though, I thought this implication was extremely obvious when I wrote the story, but almost no one seems to get it so I guess it wasn't as obvious as I thought it was haha. When I publish it in my collection, I'll probably slightly tweak the ending.
If you're curious on more in-depth rambling about what my intentions were with the story I actually have an entire blog post on it here: shaelinwrites.tumblr.com/post/619405369916194816/cherry-jane-in-the-garden-of-eden-what-went
@@adityayedetore2410 I do have a couple more!
Wishbone: shaelinwrites.tumblr.com/post/626642753006305280/wishbone-what-went-into-it
Hold Me Under Till I See the Light:shaelinwrites.tumblr.com/post/651761036216664064/hold-me-under-till-i-see-the-light-what-went
@@adityayedetore2410 Haha I actually wrote Hold Me Under Till I See the Light a year before Cherry and Jane in the Garden of Eden, so that's probably not it! C&J was just published first, because the magazine that published HMU is a print magazine, it took a lot longer for that issue to come out after it had been accepted. I also had to submit HMU much longer, it's interesting you find it the much better story because it was rejected 10 times and took over a year to be accepted! In comparison, C&J was only rejected twice before being accepted and was accepted the first month I started submitting it.
Maybe all stories should be homoerotic vignettes...
Oh, I agree.
Congrats on Zugzwang and getting vaccinated!!!
Thank you I really am living my best life!!
😎