Writing Cool Short Stories textbook - Carol J. Amato, Author

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Writing Cool Short StoriesTo create a variety to dialogue tags, writers can add apiece of action after “said” like in the following example:“Wait! I might not be a real princess,” said Hammertilda,twirling on her big toe.Or the writer may choose to eliminate the word, “said,” andreplace it with only action instead:“Wait! I might not be real princess!” Hammertildatwirled on her big toe like a ballerina.Next, see how the action of the story is interspersedbetween the dialogue.Hammertilda’s chin quivered. “Now, I’ll never get tobreak that piñata.” She moped back to the pond andsulked. She swished her toe in the water. “I wish PrinceGorf was a prince again.”Ask students to notice how an author uses dialogue tags in thenext story he/she reads. Any which way students decide touse them, dialogue tags breathe life into a story!Adding EmotionIf writers can make a reader laugh or cry, then they can winthe Tear-Jerker award or Fall-on-the-Floor-Laughing trophyfor best emotion in a short story!How do storytellers add emotion to their stories?To make readers laugh, writers can stand on their heads andtell jokes while juggling oranges with their feet. And to turnon the waterworks, writers can chop onions and sprinkle thepieces between the pages of the story.36
Writing Cool Short StoriesAnd if that doesn’t evoke some emotion, writers can add a dogto the story, build up the relationship between the characterand his canine pal, and then have something happen to the dog.Gasp! Not the dog! You can’t kill off the dog!Actually, writers can choose to do whatever they want. Rememberthat they are the directors. But Bear doesn’t have to die.The situation can be just a close call. Keep the readers wipingtheir drippy noses by adding emotion through dialogue. Imaginethe dialogue going something like this:“Don’t die, Bear.” Aidan buried his face deep into thedog’s neck and choked back sobs. “You’re…you’re thebest friend I’ve ever had. I don’t know what I’d do withoutyou. Please don’t die. Please….”Hopefully, the readers have a lump in their throats and tearsstreaming down their reddened cheeks.How about something to lighten the mood of the story?“Bear!” Aidan flew after his dog. Bear stole Old LadyJohnson’s false teeth from the table where she had putthem next to her porch rocker. “Get back here, you crazy,teeth-stealing dog!”Readers might not be rolling on the floor laughing, but theymight have cracked a little smile, happy to see Bear strong andhealthy and up to his regular crazy antics. Especially after hisclose call with death!Using Internal DialogueAnother method to add emotion is through internal dialogue.Characters, just like real people, sometimes talk to themselves.37
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Page 3 and 4: Writing Cool Short StoriesDear Teac
Page 5 and 6: Writing Cool Short StoriesIntroduct
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Page 13 and 14: Writing Cool Short StoriesMystery #
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Writing Cool Short Stories textbook - Carol J. Amato, Author

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