Since this is Wednesday, I’ll start my post with a one-liner.
Story Chat is an experience like none other in the world of writing.
For One-Liner Wednesday by Linda G. Hill
How’s that? Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it?
I participated in Story Chat for the first time in 2024. The idea of writing a short story, posting it on someone else’s blog and letting — make that asking — people to critique that story was something I thought I would never do. I sweated more over that story than all the other writing I did last year. I liked my story, but I appreciated the comments offered by readers. Reading and thinking critically about what we’ve read is an amazing learning experience.
More than my writing experience, I enjoyed reading the stories by the other writers. The stories cross genres and geography. They are fun to read, and you can start and stop where and whenever you like — but I predict you will have a hard time putting the book down.
I added comments to several stories, and I learned from that process, too. Now, you have the unique opportunity to enjoy and learn from the entire series in reflection.
Story Chat was started by Marsha Ingrao (Always Write) and Hugh W, Roberts (Hugh’s Views and News). Story Chat – Vol. II, The 2024 compilation was assembled by Marsha and edited by Colleen Cheseboro, and they did a wonderful job. Looking back through the pages of this book, I am happy and proud to be a part of it.
The Blurb
Story Chat started as a unique online blogging program for authors and readers. This second book includes a diverse set of original short stories by authors from almost every continent in the world. While most of the stories would fall into the category of drama at all ages from children to older adults, this collection includes sci-fi, comedy, and two non-fiction articles about the writing process. All of the selections are family-friendly, even though the topics are aimed at adult readers.
In this book, you will enjoy realistic fiction, surprise, and open endings. Halloween vampire horror stories might make you laugh and wonder how you could. Traveling to an alternate universe – that happens to be familiar to some of you will keep you entertained. You might find yourself stepping into another universe or two that are so bizarre you don’t know what to do with them.
Characters will bring you to tears as they bravely reach for love or face tragedy you hope no one will have to face. You will laugh at the older couple discussing booking the adventure of a nudist cruise. You will cheer for a mother and her autistic child as they surmount obstacles. One story will remind you of Toy Story or the Velveteen Rabbit. Another is an epic children’s poem with illustrations made of fondant by the talented author and her son.
This book is so much fun. Yet, it can be educational, especially for writers who constantly work to improve their craft. Each story has discussion questions that you can use if you belong to a book club or writing group.
All of us, known as Story Chatters, hope this book will make an impact in your lives.
If you like reading a collection of short stories of mixed genres by various authors, you will enjoy Story Chat. You can purchase the book by following these links. Amazon.uk and Amazon.com
One last bit of information about the collection:
Story Chat Volume II contains stories from twenty published and previously unpublished authors from eight countries on six continents. Most of these stories are lighthearted family or youth drama, several comedies, coming of age, and science fiction. The stories cover relevant topics like planning vacations, managing estate assets, walking in the fog, trick or treating, solving mysteries, robbing robbers, creative solutions to autism, double dealing, life-long companions, recycling garbage in space, and many more topics. . Most of the stories have surprise endings. Some have open endings, leaving the reader to imagine what might happen next.
Each story takes about three to five minutes to read, making it the perfect book for readers who need something to read in short spurts. The twenty-seven stories are pure entertainment, yet each probes a deeper concept to stimulate and delight thoughtful readers. In addition, there are three non-fiction pieces, offering advice to writers, from some well known names in the writing world.
In deference to Story Chat and the hard working people who contributed, reviewed, compiled and edited, I’m going to forego my normal self-promotion and I’m including a minimal gallery of the usual suspects.
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