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Deviation Actions
This blog hopes to address the issue of the definition of a Six Word Story. With thanks to Bakape, deviantshrimp, Exillior, Iluvocnj2006, MaddyJordan, neurotype-on-discord, SilverInkblot, StellaSalvata, betwixtthepages, Zophirus, we have managed to conduct a sort of mini-guide on what a six word story should and should not do. We would greatly appreciate your own thoughts and opinions, so if you do have any at all, please do not hesitate to say so in a reply to this blog!
A Six Word Story Should:
Tell a Story
The story does not necessarily need to have a beginning, middle and end. There should be a storyline/plot element in the story which allows freedom of imagination. Time is a vital element in a story. Stories do not need to make sense, although there should be an understanding as to what the writer is trying to portray.
Include a Verb
As stated by Zophirus: The verb indicates action. With no action, there is no story, only statement.
The story CAN be told without a verb if the description makes it evident that some action is about to occur or has occurred. Another way of portraying action implicitly is in dialogue.
Involve Progression or Change
As stated by neurotype-on-discord: either this change, or its consequences, should be expressed in a way that gives the reader an implied beginning (and, potentially, an end).
Evoke Emotions or Feelings
This mostly applies to conceptual six word stories describing a setting or mood, for example. As these are simpler to create, stories with this concept should be evocative, generally by drawing upon a familiar image. neurotype-on-discord
SilverInkblot also states that these are tiny snippets; they can pack quite a punch, with the advice that If you're having trouble, concentrate on an emotion and figure out what elicits that emotion in you; then try to filter that down to six words.
Provide a Structure
Stories should introduce a platform on which the reader builds a plot with characters and conflicts. The six words alone can rarely provide a plot, characters, and conflict with any degree of eloquency. StellaSalvata
This does not mean that the story itself needs a plot with characters, but that it should provide a structure for the audience.
Engage the Audience
The audience should want to know what has happened, what is happening or what will be happening next. Allowing the audience to imagine the scene will achieve this.
A Six Word Story Should Not
Be quotes/heavy referencing/content of movies, books, cliches, etc. It should not be 'clever' phrases/generic statements/sayings about life, the universe, and other things besides.
"But life will always go on" is not a story. It might be the final line of a book you're working on, but it doesn't tell us what your book is about. It could be the ending to any book. SilverInkblot
Be generic and unoriginal. To be specific may be a good thing here. As stated by SilverInkblot: Concrete stories of day to day life can be just as impressive as grand sweeping statements.
Involve a few words and a few symbols tossed in too.
Do or be the opposite of what is mentioned above.
Thank you! Hopefully you are a little wiser as to what a Six Word Story entails. If there are any issues or you disagree with the above, please say!
A Six Word Story Should:
Tell a StoryThe story does not necessarily need to have a beginning, middle and end. There should be a storyline/plot element in the story which allows freedom of imagination. Time is a vital element in a story. Stories do not need to make sense, although there should be an understanding as to what the writer is trying to portray.
Tells a Story
Sniper sights, sniper sneezes, sniper shot. by spotted-horse
"Come." "Over my dead body." "Doable." by ViaReweaving
Does NOT Tells a Story
A broken heart will always heal. by MagicalJoey
Broken means it can be fixed. by SilverInkblot
Include a VerbAs stated by Zophirus: The verb indicates action. With no action, there is no story, only statement.
The story CAN be told without a verb if the description makes it evident that some action is about to occur or has occurred. Another way of portraying action implicitly is in dialogue.
Include a Verb
Jumped from building. Fell on balcony. by mathhenr
Harold died one minute too late. by Umbrascitor
Does NOT Include a Verb (still tells a story)
Beautiful girl. Handsome boy. Early graves. by SilverInkblot
one letter, twenty pills, good.....night... by ninjakat7
Involve Progression or ChangeAs stated by neurotype-on-discord: either this change, or its consequences, should be expressed in a way that gives the reader an implied beginning (and, potentially, an end).
Involve Progression or Change
Yesterday I created fire. Today, ashes. by Umbrascitor
Does NOT Involve Progression or Change
The stars shine down upon me by damina
Everything always stays exactly the same. by AtrumMiles
Evoke Emotions or FeelingsThis mostly applies to conceptual six word stories describing a setting or mood, for example. As these are simpler to create, stories with this concept should be evocative, generally by drawing upon a familiar image. neurotype-on-discord
SilverInkblot also states that these are tiny snippets; they can pack quite a punch, with the advice that If you're having trouble, concentrate on an emotion and figure out what elicits that emotion in you; then try to filter that down to six words.
Evoke Emotions or Feelings
Heaven is happier with you there. by numbuh9494-archive
Broken wings twitch. Struggle, gasp... silence. by Umbrascitor
Does NOT Evoke Emotions or Feelings
We met, then had tea afterwards. by zephleit
And then the world ended forever. by Itti
Provide a StructureStories should introduce a platform on which the reader builds a plot with characters and conflicts. The six words alone can rarely provide a plot, characters, and conflict with any degree of eloquency. StellaSalvata
This does not mean that the story itself needs a plot with characters, but that it should provide a structure for the audience.
Provide a Structure
"Books as a murder weapon? Possible." by TaurusJ
Keys, through fingers, unlock his heart. by Ceol-dKnight
I kept her veil. A souvenir. by Itti
Does NOT Provide a Structure
Witty sayings do not prove anything by ViaReweaving
He hated life so he jumped. by MagicalJoey
Engage the AudienceThe audience should want to know what has happened, what is happening or what will be happening next. Allowing the audience to imagine the scene will achieve this.
Engage the Audience
Unable to see daylight, we imagine. by Itti
Your headstone mocks me every day. by SilverInkblot
Does NOT Engage the Audience
On Saturday, I had some tea. by Dark-McCloudy
My paper boat, painstakingly folded, sank. by Umbrascitor
A Six Word Story Should Not
Be quotes/heavy referencing/content of movies, books, cliches, etc. It should not be 'clever' phrases/generic statements/sayings about life, the universe, and other things besides. "But life will always go on" is not a story. It might be the final line of a book you're working on, but it doesn't tell us what your book is about. It could be the ending to any book. SilverInkblot
Be generic and unoriginal. To be specific may be a good thing here. As stated by SilverInkblot: Concrete stories of day to day life can be just as impressive as grand sweeping statements. Involve a few words and a few symbols tossed in too. Do or be the opposite of what is mentioned above.Thank you! Hopefully you are a little wiser as to what a Six Word Story entails. If there are any issues or you disagree with the above, please say!
Weekly Spontaneity [201]
We are going to post something to spark those creative minds, be it a deviation, a quote, a song, or something else completely, and your purpose is to write a six word story. Perhaps the piece will provoke thought, inspire you, or evoke a particular response out of you. Whatever you write, it must be six words only (or rather, original guidelines apply) and you can write whatever you like as long as it is a response to the material we post.
Some Guidelines:
:bulletblue: Please post all six word stories here, in this blog.
:bulletblue: Only one six word story, per person, should be posted.
Last week, six word stories were based on this:
:t
Monthly News Letter [April 2016]
1 April 2016
This Month's issue features:
Latest News
New Submission Rules
Chat
Weekly Challenges
Pick Three Rule Change
Monthly Challenge
February/March "Pick Three" Results
April "Pick Three" Choices
February/March Weekly Spontaneity Highlights
February/March Six Letter Challenge Highlights
Closing Remarks
Latest News
New Submission Rules
After an admin discussion, we have decided to enforce the story part of SixWordStories (https://www.deviantart.com/sixwordstories). This means your submissions must tell a story. It should be able to stand on its own without the title. Your story should create an image, or bring some feeling.
If you submit a visual piece, th
Monthly News Letter [March 2016]
Hello my fellow group members, it's your Founder SolarLunix (https://www.deviantart.com/solarlunix) here giving you a short news blast in an impromptu format.
First of all, I would like to apologize for my sudden absence, but I assure you I will be back in the full swing of things soon. There was a bit of a family issue on my end and I should have put some procedures in place for my absence. I have an idea on how to fix that, and that will start shortly.
Secondly, get your votes in for the monthly news letter from February. We are very short on votes.
Speaking of votes, there will be a few new systems in place starting next month. This will be outlined in the next monthly news
Weekly Spontaneity [200]
This is our 200th Weekly Spontaneity. In celebration of this, we will be giving the winner of this week's challenge 20:points:
We are going to post something to spark those creative minds, be it a deviation, a quote, a song, or something else completely, and your purpose is to write a six word story. Perhaps the piece will provoke thought, inspire you, or evoke a particular response out of you. Whatever you write, it must be six words only (or rather, original guidelines apply) and you can write whatever you like as long as it is a response to the material we post.
Some Guidelines:
:bulletblue: Please post all six word stories here, in thi
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So I know if the submission isn't quite what you're looking for a notification will be sent (I've received one). So does it stand to reason that all is well if no notification is sent? Because after reading the guidelines, I worry the prompt stories I've just sent may not be spot on with what is acceptable..