Photo: Jackie Morrison. Magazine illustration by Ruth Blair. The story All The Small Things appeared in The People’s Friend Special Issue No 260 published by D.C.Thomson.
Daydreaming a Life
This is how I often start a first draft - I daydream a different life! Not because I want to live a different life, but just because I like to use my imagination.
What would happen if….
Who might do this….
Where might it happen…
What might that life look like…
If you’ve been reading my Notes, you will know that I’ve been travelling in the Scottish Highlands, spending time in the Cairngorm National Park in our caravan.
I’ve always loved these tiny Eriba caravans which use every inch of space and seem so uncluttered for a calm, easy trip.
Once, in Cornwall, I saw one with an awning, a wind-break, and bunting. There were two adults and two huge dogs inside this tiny set-up! It looked great fun!
The caravan we travel in is a lot bigger - it’s basically an apartment on wheels and allows us to explore lots of different areas with our dog in tow.
Initially, we intended to travel to Europe as our son was living and working in Germany at the time, but then the dreaded lock-down happened and as our dog is elderly now, we no longer want to put him through all the medical stuff he’d have to endure at the vet in order to go abroad. He does get all his regular vaccinations but not the rabies one! Our son now lives in London but we still have the caravan!
Little and Large
So on that trip, I was daydreaming about travelling in a tiny set-up - the freedom to go to so many places.
Then I wondered who might be doing that, and why.
And before I knew it, I had the basis of a story.
Word Lengths
All The Small Things is a longer word count and was spread over three pages of the magazine. It was published this time last year when I was travelling up in the highlands - and I had to go on the hunt for the magazine at every little store we encountered. I eventually bought the last remaining copy at a lochside Spar!
There happened to be two Eriba caravans on site and I drooled over them as I re-read my story in the magazine!
Little Details
I took care to ensure the main female character had a rich life story to go with her planned trip. The man she met also had to have some special qualities and as a photographer, he ticked a lot of creative boxes for attracting my main female character.
Just like my very own tall, dark, handsome Mr.M, the male character was much too tall for the Eriba caravan!
A Sense of Time
This was the first story I attempted for the magazine that wasn’t a straight-forward time-line. Most of my previous successful stories had taken place over the space of a day, or an event, or at least only a few days.
This particular story had the female character’s existing life; the change that happened; her travels; then the introduction of a new man; then a kind of epilogue.
I didn’t call it an epilogue of course - you don’t tend to do that in a short story, even one of 3,000 words! I simply added a few paragraphs at the end to illustrate them in the present day and to detail what happened to the small caravan. Spoiler alert: it became a playroom for the baby!
A Real Character
I have to say that Erika the Eriba was a real character in this story. She shone. So much so, that I ordered a print for my wall with her adventures marked on a map.
Illustration
This story received a beautiful commissioned illustration and I was so in love with it! The artist, Ruth Blair, did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life in her illustration.
How did she manage that?
The trick is in the writing. Ensure your characters have individual physical attributes (yes, even in a short story). Describe the surroundings (in this case the caravan) with as few detailed sentences as you can - but be specific! For example, she had a blanket, but it wasn’t just any old blanket - it was a checked/tartan one. I was specific right down to the description of her lovely dog - and you can see the artist did a wonderful job.
Sharing
Share as much as you can with your reader, whilst not wandering or waffling. A short story can take a bit of tell and not all show. Dialogue can carry some of the story too. I know, I know - that seems to contradict a lot of writing advice out there. However, you need to keep your intended publication market in mind and my advice, or sage insights, are only for the market I’m talking about here. Get the balance right and you’ll be on to a winner.
All The Small Things
The story title was All The Small Things and I urge you to look at all the small things around you. There can be a story in any of them!
As writers, as creatives, we have to stay open to such possiblities - that a small item can grow into a large story (maybe even a novel) but that we need to be open to the ideas in the first place.
We need to allow the ideas to find us.
What do you do to encourage ideas to find you? It’s tempting to say that slowing down and watching is a good idea. However, I know that in my life, even when I’m busy and stressed, ideas pop through. They buzz by like traffic on a busy road - and they will simply pass by unless I pay attention and write them down. I think writing is my coping mechanism. If I’m stressed or anxious, I want to read something to get lost in…and sometimes I just have to write that myself.
I’m proud to say that I write feel-good, heart-warming stories. They are important. They are soothing and comforting like the softest of blankets being placed around your shoulders in difficult times.
So write those stories. Whatever it is that makes you feel good - it will surely have your reader feeling that way too!
Thanks again, dear Subscriber, for being here. I really appreciate you and love writing little snippets for you to read x x
Until next time….Happy Writing (& pay attention to the small things!)
From Jackie, in the Little Writing Corner in Scotland x
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