Solid advice. It still eludes me how some ficlets get a sequel and others don’t. There’s a lot that goes into it, I think, and this seems like good food for thought.

That is how sometimes I write mine. I see your point, and THX is right there is a lot that goes into someone sequeling something you have. Sometimes is just doesn’t inspire them. It is a good tip though.
LoA

I like this little tutorial for writers you’re giving here. It’s what Ficlets is for. I’m posting this comment here because I don’t much have anything to say about this ficlet. Sorry.
LoA

I get your point, but sometimes I like to write a story to ‘test’ how people react to it. Most of the time, I want to do something that can be interacted with, so I get what you’re saying.

Very informative. I am going to have to Tag this as Non Fiction :-)

Ending with a hook or a cliffhanger is good advice, even if you plan to sequel yourself. If you look at almost any TV show, it always ends on a cliffhanger right before a commercial break. This is to keep your interest piqued enough to sit through three minutes of ads (for those with TiVo this is a non-issue), rather than switch channels looking for something else. Same thing applies here. The rule goes, “Always leave them wanting more…”

Too much to think about when writing my humble little ficlets!!!!

I think that’s good advice. Bu tyou don’t always have to do that. Most of my ficlets are just random things I come up with. Just random thoughts or creativity. So on those, I can’t realy control it.
But great advice all the same, I will try to follow it!

This is excellent advice. I think this was a good idea.

I hate to be a buble burster,and I’m sure you’re trying to be helpful and all, but you come off like you feel superior to the rest of us. some of your advice is good, I mean, what qualifies you to give writing lessons? There are some awesome writers on here that should be published. Your rules of writing are just a buzz kill. Really feels as though your talking down to the ficleteers here.

Hm.. now that I think about it, Kermit’s right(For once, nah, just foolin’ with ya KG). Too many rules, it’s like you’re making us follow ONE straight path, instead of taking our twists and turns that we do so enjoy taking. You do kind of seem condescending.

As I’ve said in the introduction, I never claimed these are anything but my own opinions. Just because I don’t put “IMO” in every paragraph doesn’t make them any less so. I believe they’re well-founded opinions, but you’re free to follow them or not, as you see fit.

It seems like barely anyone sequels my stories, and I value it more than comments or ratings. I know it’s partly my fault maybe, but still. thanks for posting these, by the way. Hits the nail on the head every time.

I can say that the first time I was sequeled (off of a poem, not a short story), I felt a surprising amount of pride. Something I had written inspired someone else to write. Can you imagine a better feeling for a writer to have?