Your unpublished stories 500 – 1,000 words fiction or non-fiction. You may reblog your story at any time during the month, but please refer all comments, which become part of the “Story Chat,” to the story published on Always Write. Once the month ends, the story is yours to publish in full on your blog, revise, submit to another publication, or turn into a full length novel.
Add readers and discussion for instant fun.
Schedule
Starting at the bottom, links go live when the stories are published. A humongous “Thank you” to our generous authors.
- September Story Chat Summary by Cathy Cade
- September Story Chat: “No Stone Unturned” by Val Chapman hosted by Cathy Cade
- August Story Chat Summary by Cathy Cade
- August Story Chat: A Dress for a Princess by Wendy Fletcher hosted by Cathy Cade
- July Story Chat Summary
- July Story Chat: “Sometimes a Miracle” by Gary A. Wilson
- June Story Chat
- June Story Chat: “The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree” by Debbie Harris
- May Story Chat
- May Short Story: “Nailing It” by Anne Stormont
- April Story Chat
- April Short Story: “Miniature Planet” by Doug Jacquier
- March Story Chat
- March Short Story: “Wanda-Lust” by A. Kid and Pal AKA D. Avery of Carrot Ranch
- February Story Chat
- February Short Story: ‘Trophy Cabinet” by Geoff LePard
- January Story Chat
- January Short Story: “A Postcard from the Past” by Anne Goodwin
- December Story Chat
- December Short Story: “Out of Character” by Cathy Cade
- November Story Chat
- November Short Story: “Jenny’s Bumpy Start” by Marsha Ingrao
- October Story Chat
- October Short Story: “The People Under the Stairs” by Hugh Roberts
Schedule for Year Two Coming Soon
“How to Get Your Short Story in front of a New Audience”
a testimonial post for Story Chat by Hugh Roberts on his blog, HughsViewsandNews.
Story Chat #Support
a testimonial post for Story Chat by Geoff Le Pard on his blog, TanGental
Story Chat: Building Your Confidence One Short Story at a Time
a guest post on Hugh Roberts blog HughsViewsandNews.
New Story Chat Announcement
by Gary Wilson
Writing Guidelines
- Stories are 500-1,000 words and are unpublished. You retain the rights to publish them later.
- Stories are free from spelling and grammar errors (English, Australian, and American spellings and punctuations reflect the author’s country, not mine.)
- This is a G-rated site. Other than erotica, most genres are accepted.
- Have a website to promote their story and respond to comments.
- Comment on other Story Chats before and after your story appears.
- Follow the Carrot Ranch TUFF Rodeo Model to get your story writing started. 99 word story – two 9-word summaries, rewrite the 99 word story. Then write your story of 500-1,000 words. If you’ve already written your story, work backwards until you have two 99-word stories and two 9-word stories based on your original, then make changes.
- Give your stories an interesting twist.
- Develop your characters’ senses of humor.
- Read the previous Story Chat stories and the Summary Chat which compiles the comments.
- Most of all have fun with it.
Now It’s Your Turn
Start commenting and send me your original story.
Send Your Story
If your story is accepted, you get:
Free editing before your story goes public.
You always see the final copy before it is published.
Your contact information and bio included.
Post #1 The Story
Your story appears on Always Write with your byline.
Readers from a wide audience comment and speculate.
Author joins in discussion explaining meaning, challenging the readers as the discussion progresses.
Post #2 The Summary
The summary consists of a 9-word summary, an analysis of the readers’ and the author’s comments.
You have the opportunity to publish it as is or use the discussion to make changes.
Testimonials
I love this post, Marsha — the highlighting of one blogger/writer and the inclusion of so many more. I look forward to other entries like this!
Donna from Retirement Reflections
What a deep dive into the story and all it evoked for the readers. Such a touching response from Hugh – a master story-teller indeed. This was a fascinating look back. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and including my link.
Diana from D. Wallace Peach
I like how you shared the different ways of how readers interpreted the story. And thank you very much for linking to my blog, Marsha!!
Erica from Erica Kind
I don’t believe I’ve seen another blogger do something like this, so (as far as I’m concerned) it’s unique. Of course, I’ll also share it on my blog.
Hugh of Hugh’s Views and News
You give an author exposure, and readers a chance to develop thoughtful responses. Literary art happens between the space created between writing, reading, and discussing.
-Charli of Carrot Ranch
I want to thank Marsha for standing up and running such a useful discussion. I’ve appreciated each of you for your comments and encouragement. You make me want to write more and write better. Thank you all. Marsha, you’ve built a great community here and I am so pleased to have been a part of it. I’m looking forward to upcoming story chats.
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 