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Writing Short Stories/Questions Answered by Expert Samantha Prust
| Subject | Date Asked |
| short story | 11/29/2011 |
| Q: i'm doing diploma in film making course. i'm searching for short stories with creative ideas. every ... A: A trick I learned from a writing professor to generate ideas is to get a stack of paper, cut it up ... | |
| Using book titles in writing stories | 1/5/2011 |
| Q: Is it legal to use book titles by other authors in short stories I am writing? Do I need a footnote ... A: I am not a copyright expert, and I don't feel comfortable answering this question. Let me give you ... | |
| Publishing short stories | 12/15/2010 |
| Q: First of all, thank you for providing this service, I greatly appreciate. In this world it is rare ... A: I appreciate your thanking me. You are welcome! You are on the right track with both options. Short ... | |
| 'word etchings' | 9/21/2010 |
| Q: Many years ago, when I was in my 20's, I wrote about a dozen very short 'vignettes' or as I called ... A: I'm sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your question. I apologize. About your "word ... | |
| Formatting for dialogue in a story | 7/9/2010 |
| Q: p In my story there is a point where one person is speaking, but the other person is not. The other ... A: Yes, you need spacing just between the first line of dialogue and the second sentence to make it ... | |
| Narration, etc. | 5/3/2010 |
| Q: I've written a short story (haven't actually finished it) with what I believe is a third-person, ... A: I read some of your story and I have a few suggestions. You will probably want to give your main ... | |
| copywriting | 4/28/2010 |
| Q: If I write a short 25 page booklet and self publish it and self manufacture it what is the procedure ... A: If you self-publish, you will want to buy an ISBN number ... | |
| Help with Article | 3/11/2010 |
| Q: It has been some time since I last wrote to you seeking assistance. I have written another article ... A: To make it less confusing for you, I only posted the parts of your piece where I made corrections. ... | |
| Experimenting | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: I have a somewhat general question that I hope you can help me with here. I have had a strong ... A: I am happy to answer your question. Or at least try! I think that because you're focusing on an ... | |
| need advice | 1/20/2010 |
| Q: Can you please look over and any advice will be helpful. Thank you so much. Dear xyz Industries, ... A: Edits are suggested below. You sound like a very nice person and I wish you the best of luck with ... | |
| murder mystery | 11/8/2009 |
| Q: What is the best way to start a murder mystery A: There is no "best" way to start a murder mystery. What's most important in a mystery--or any written ... | |
| really need help | 10/4/2009 |
| Q: tiny strands of hair, extremely weird scaly skin, 7 rotting teeth that are wonky, extremely strong, ... A: Chelsie! Your monster sounds crazy! :) How about this: Your monster is super ugly and scary, but ... | |
| Question on writing prose | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: I apologize ahead of time if my question is too broad. For the past few years, I've been writing ... A: I can understand why your prose might be jarring if you've been writing screenplays. I think I would ... | |
| revision | 9/23/2009 |
| Q: I got your point. Seeing the lack of tension, I put in a new paragraph and deleted the old. ... A: Oh, sorry. I could have sworn someone named Demetrius sent me a story (sci-fi) a while ago for ... | |
| revision | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: I got your point. Seeing the lack of tension, I put in a new paragraph and deleted the old. ... A: I don't think you should hang everything you do on my every word. You are the writer. You need to ... | |
| short story collections - length | 9/18/2009 |
| Q: I'm wondering if there is a mininum length for a new book of collected short stories which agents ... A: I don't know this for sure in all cases, but my guess is that publishers aren't too concerned with ... | |
| revision | 9/17/2009 |
| Q: I got your point. Seeing the lack of tension, I put in a new paragraph and deleted the old. ... A: Your voice in the first paragraph is MUCH better than before...it's natural and I am interested in ... | |
| Flash Fiction | 8/28/2009 |
| Q: you said you would be happy to critique one of my stories. This is a short flash fiction piece. When ... A: The Products WE BEGAN (why caps here?) shop class in blank-white aprons and finished it with ... | |
| theme of story | 8/8/2009 |
| Q: I just got an idea for another short story, a Twilight Zone type. What's bugging me a bit is that ... A: I wouldn't worry about that. Just write the story! Don't edit yourself and just write. If you can ... | |
| Writing currency in dialogue | 7/18/2009 |
| Q: What are the guidelines for writing currency in dialogue? Example: "They vary from fifty thousand ... A: It depends on the style of the publisher. Many publishers have their own in-house styles that can ... | |
| Help Me | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: Can you help me please? A: Magazines, both literary and general, publish short stories. There are publishers that also publish ... | |
| Selling Short Stories | 6/29/2009 |
| Q: My daughter has started writing short fiction stories she is nearly 11 years old but i think her ... A: John, I hope I can help. She could start by submitting her stories to magazines that accept stories ... | |
| Copywriting?? | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: This may sound like a ridiculous question or two but nonetheless I shall still ask! I belong to an ... A: Your questions are not at all ridiculous! There is a lot of confusion regarding copyright. I am not ... | |
| Cheating? | 3/20/2009 |
| Q: Well what is your definition of cheating,you don't have to answer? ANSWER: My definition of ... A: I don't think that example is cheating. You were just repeating an answer that the class had already ... | |
| Cheating? | 3/17/2009 |
| Q: Well can I ask you just one more question really quick? ANSWER: Is this a joke? ---------- ... A: I asked if this is a joke because you have asked me a number of similar questions about the same ... | |
| Cheating? | 3/12/2009 |
| Q: Well I was taking a spelling test the other day and the guy behind me kept saying the answers to me ... A: I don't know. Should he? I think you should ask your teacher about it. I won't be answering any ... | |
| Book idea | 1/26/2009 |
| Q: I have a book idea about teaching beginning writers on how to write in the style of their favorite ... A: Enzo, Your book idea sounds interesting. Whether or not a publisher would publish it has nothing to ... | |
| free lance writing | 1/7/2009 |
| Q: I have over 5 years experience in geneology research.I also have experience in some native american ... A: Sheryl, You should not have to pay to be a freelance writer! People pay freelancers to write, not ... | |
| My story | 12/11/2008 |
| Q: I wrote a short story for children. Is it best to put it in book form, or publish it as a short ... A: One is not necessarily better than the other; you could put it in book form or publish it as a short ... | |
| Writing Revelation | 11/25/2008 |
| Q: I have written a story about a student who is a Christian and his dad calls him needing help on ... A: It sounds to me like your main character simply feels bad about the way he treated his dad and thus ... | |
| Writing short stories... | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: I was hoping you could help me. I've been writing a short story for a while now and was was planning ... A: You do not have to pay agents to look at your work, and if an "agent" asks for money, they are not ... | |
| Writing short stories... | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: I was hoping you could help me. I've been writing a short story for a while now and was was planning ... A: You could send your story to literary agents to see if any will take you on as an author, but ... | |
| essay help | 11/2/2008 |
| Q: I have to write an essay relating the events of a typical day in college. It's supposed to be like a ... A: Only you can come up with the ideas if the essay is supposed to be like a "letter to a friend." Just ... | |
| Short stories on a diet | 7/27/2008 |
| Q: I've just finished writing a series of stories (‘Hey world here I come!’) and read somewhere that ... A: Marcy, Wow--I didn't know there was a specific word count for short stories! That's a new one on ... | |
| Original ideas | 7/4/2008 |
| Q: My question is how do writers come up with original ideas? It seems that every topic under the sun ... A: That's a good question--how DO writers come up with original ideas? You're right that every topic ... | |
| the creative process... | 7/4/2008 |
| Q: I feel at best I'm at it's will. Without it life seems almost dull and boring and the moments when ... A: Wow, this is quite a question! How do you spur the creative process? I think keeping an open mind ... | |
| inquiry: How to sell articles to magazines | 5/29/2008 |
| Q: Good day! I need information on the following questions. 1) What is the correct format in writing ... A: Amram! I will try my best to answer all of your questions. (By the way, one thing you may want to ... | |
| question please | 5/18/2008 |
| Q: 1- when I writing stories , how can I get a reference for my work to evaluate my work ? 2- whats ... A: 1- Are you asking how you get someone to evaluate your work? If so, then then the answer is that you ... | |
| Taking the next step. | 5/2/2008 |
| Q: Considering your background, I thought this may be of interest to you... In a perfect world, ... A: To submit your work to journals or magazines, find those that will publish the type of writing ... | |
| Short story collections | 5/1/2008 |
| Q: I have a book I have written, which is basically collection of short stories with a common theme ... A: Find an agent that represents short fiction. You could also skip the agent and go straight to ... | |
| No degree | 3/29/2008 |
| Q: How serious can I expect to be taken as a writer with a great ability to tell stories, but no ... A: If you are a writer with great ability, you don't need a degree to be taken seriously. You can ... | |
| short story- script | 3/23/2008 |
| Q: how to write a script. A: You've asked a question that requires a very long and involved answer. Unfortunately, I don't have ... | |
| raymond carver short stories | 3/13/2008 |
| Q: i love short stories and i am thinking of writing my own one i was just inspired with short cuts and ... A: Nafisa, Sorry it took me so long to respond, but a friend of mine needed help, and I've been down ... | |
| length | 1/2/2008 |
| Q: What is the standard acceptable length for a short story? A: I'm sorry that my answer was not satisfactory. Samantha | |
| new writers | 12/27/2007 |
| Q: I just finished a story and am frankly unsure what to do next.never written before. A: Well, the answer to your question depends on your goal. I'm assuming you mean that you want to ... | |
| short piece of writing | 11/23/2007 |
| Q: "I am writing a short piece of writing that is similar to a passage in Moby Dick of Herman Melville. ... A: You are obviously a practiced writer. The only advice I would give is that you are too writerly at ... | |
| Short stories/books | 7/13/2007 |
| Q: If you take the little paragraphs I wrote, which I came up with myself, sometimes they press ENTER ... A: So, your question is this: "Is the reader supposed to take a quick breather before reading the next ... | |
| Short stories/books | 7/9/2007 |
| Q: If you take the little paragraphs I wrote, which I came up with myself, sometimes they press ENTER ... A: I can't make heads or tails of what you're asking......"The little paragraphs" you wrote are not ... | |
| Degree in Creative Writing | 4/28/2007 |
| Q: Samantha- I am an adult learner currently working towards a B.A. in Creative Writing. I have also ... A: First I recommend consulting an advisor if the college provides them to students. They can help you ... | |
| style or candidness | 11/20/2006 |
| Q: Very beautiful. it however raised certain questions, answers to which I need. In choosing a style ... A: I'm not sure writers "choose" a style. I think a writer develops a style and voice as they write, ... | |
| style or candidness | 11/11/2006 |
| Q: I would love to know if in writing a short story one should be most concerned with style or ... A: I think style is the most important aspect. Style can be elaborate or plain: it depends upon the ... | |
| need to ask | 10/23/2006 |
| Q: i have some features make me feel that i can be a writer or have the talent but i didnt want to lie ... A: It sounds like you have the qualities of a good writer, but your writing itself needs some work. You ... | |
| Question about grammar in MS Word | 10/18/2006 |
| Q: What the hell does 'Fragment (consider revising)' in Microsoft Word mean? Thanks, Glenn Houston. A: "Fragment" refers to a sentence fragment. A sentence fragment is simply an incomplete sentence. I ... | |
| Re: Your thoughtful reply | 8/23/2006 |
| Q: Samantha, I was thrille to recieve your reply and to hear about your life. I must admit tht, ... A: Well, it is clear you must have a natural talent with words because your piece was moving. Just a ... | |
| Word Count and Layout | 8/21/2006 |
| Q: Samantha, I am a story teller and Poet and, in spite of how many times I hear, "You should be ... A: Well, I am not a published writer in terms of my fiction, but I am sending some things out--probably ... | |
| novel - writing workshops | 3/20/2006 |
| Q: I am very curious about the writing industry and would of course love to be amongst those who can ... A: I think before you shell out the money to attend the workshop, it might be better to find a local ... | |
| Short Story Crit | 3/2/2006 |
| Q: Here is my short story called 'The Trial' Thank you so much for agreeing to take a look. I am ... A: Well, you are obviously a good writer, and your story moves along at a good pace. The ending is also ... | |
| Sex and blogs and rock n roll | 2/21/2006 |
| Q: Sam. I hope you're having a funday. I have a headache. London is grey and miserable.if I've got ONE ... A: What are you doing in London? Anyway, about the agent....I don't know much about that....I would ... | |
| question | 9/3/2005 |
| Q: I am translator and want translate short short story. please help me find short short story on ... A: We are having some difficulty communicating, and I apologize for not understanding your request. If ... | |
| question | 9/2/2005 |
| Q: My mean is short short story. I will wait samantha Best A: You write short short stories and want to know where to publish them? I would try a book called ... | |
| Writing a movie... | 8/10/2005 |
| Q: Hey I was wanting to make a somewhat short movie for the fun and accomplishment of it, I wanted ... A: Well, I'm not an expert on writing movie scripts, but I can give you some honest feedback on your ... | |
| copyrights on short stories | 3/30/2005 |
| Q: Does anybody buy short stories or how would I get someone to publish one?can you copywrite short ... A: You asked, "does anybody buy short stories?" Do you mean will a publisher pay you for a short story? ... | |
| short story writing | 2/25/2005 |
| Q: I have two questions. The first concerns the treatment of time in short stories...Do you have ... A: I'm not sure what you mean by treatment of time. Are you talking point of view, tense, flashbacks? I ... | |
| writing conversation into the story | 12/16/2004 |
| Q: I am an aspiring author working on short stories. I have a difficult time crafting conversations in ... A: I would be happy to answer your question, but first I have a question for you: When you say you have ... | |
| need honest feedback | 12/5/2004 |
| Q: So very nice of you! Here it is. /Sergei Montreal is white. Just a few days ago the city looked ... A: Wow! You ARE a writer. You have a strong voice, style, and flow. I honestly think you should keep on ... | |
| Short stories | 11/7/2004 |
| Q: My name is Sara and I was just wondering if you were able to help me go about publishing my short ... A: The first thing you should do is get a book called Writers' Market. This book lists all of the ... | |
| Short 1-3 page double spaced stories | 9/26/2004 |
| Q: I write some black, some humor on varied subjects short 1-3 pages double spaced. Of course I think ... A: First, let me start off by saying you have a good writing voice. I think in general terms, you have ... | |
| Looking for a Short Story | 9/9/2004 |
| Q: Apologies. I phrased the question poorly. The collection book was different authors and one was ... A: Sorry, I have not heard of it. However, because the short story you're looking for sounds like ... | |
| Looking for a Short Story | 9/9/2004 |
| Q: I had read a short story collection book in JHS ~ 12-15 years ago with Guy De Maupassant's The ... A: Someone wrote to me with this information regarding yourIt is called Examination Day by Henry ... | |
| feedback | 9/3/2004 |
| Q: I read somewhere that a writer should never pay for feedback on his/her work. But where can a writer ... A: I don't know that you should "never" pay for feedback. I don't know much about "critique services," ... | |
| Fees? | 7/23/2004 |
| Q: Prust: I have just graduated with a BA Writing degree, and find I am embarrassingly ignorant about ... A: That's a great question. And you sort of answered it for yourself regarding literary journals, ... | |
| Research | 6/30/2004 |
| Q: I'm writing a story set in California, but I'd like to know how you would research this area ... A: My first instinct is to say, "write what you know." If you have never visited the area you're ... | |
| Plagiarism | 6/8/2004 |
| Q: recently my friend and I have been accused of plagiarism despite the fact that we included a work ... A: Though I don't know all the details of your story, it sounds to me like a case of bad citing. ... | |
| writing short stories | 3/23/2004 |
| Q: What if your writing style is similar to Jackie Collins (graphic, blunt, realistic, and you don't ... A: I'm not sure I'm the best person to give you advice about breaking into the short story world with a ... | |
| Mistakes | 12/2/2003 |
| Q: I am a young aspiring writer. I've been told I write well. I like to write short stories and ... A: Congratulations on having your commentary published! You should be proud of that. To answer your ... | |
| what info to put in letter to an editor | 10/25/2003 |
| Q: i hope this is a suitable question , your listed experience made you the best person to ask. i ... A: , The letter you're asking about is called a "query letter." Query letters are used to get an ... | |
Writing Short Stories
Samantha Prust
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I have a bachelor of arts degree in English and a master of fine arts degree in creative writing (fiction). I have over 15 years of experience as an editor and writer in magazine and book publishing. I currently work as a freelance editor and writer.
Experience
I grew up on the Sisseton/Wahpeton Sioux Tribe Indian Reservation in Sisseton, South Dakota. After high school I attended college at Minnesota State University in Fargo/Moorhead. After receiving my BA in English, I stayed in Fargo/Moorhead for two years, working as a proofreader, a librarian assistant, a cocktail waitress, and in customer service. I then moved to Colorado to attend Colorado State University, where I worked as Associate Editor for The Colorado Review while pursuing my master's degree. After I graduated, I was able to stay in Colorado when I got a job as an editor and writer for Cottonwood Press, a small publisher specializing in supplemental books for teachers of English and language arts.
Organizations
Member of The Colorado Authors' League
Publications
I am the author of "A Sentence a Day: Short, Playful Proofreading Exercises" (Prufrock Press, 2007).
Education/Credentials
BA, English, Minnesota State University, 1995;
MFA, Creative Writing, Colorado State University, 1999
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