DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING
Found your story on some actual interest that you have. Write in the first person, as realistically as possible. Do not over-use exaggeration, but make your story unusual. You will gain the best effects if you base your humor on natural misunderstanding, and on remarks or events that are incongruous. Confine your story to two or three principal incidents, and bring the narrative to a natural conclusion that will give the effect of climax.
GETTING UP TO DATE
By ROBERTA WAYNE
An American short story writer and contributor to magazines.
A realistic story differs from a romantic story in that it concerns the events of ordinary life. Its characters are the people whom we know,—those who move about us in daily life. Its plot centers around everyday events. Naturally a realistic story depends largely upon character interest.
Getting Up To Date concerns such a simple thing as storekeeping, and the methods of attracting customers. Job Lansing, in the story, represents the type of person who clings to old ways. His niece, Ellie, represents the spirit of youth and progress,—the spirit of adaptability.
The simplicity and familiarity of such a story is just as interesting as is wild adventure in the most vivid romance.
Old Job Lansing stood, hatchet in hand, and stared down into the big packing-case that he had just opened.
“El-lee,” he called, “come here quick.” And as footsteps were heard and the shutting of a door, he continued: “They've sent the wrong stuff. This isn't what we ordered!”