How
to Write a Short Story
by: Rachelle
Arlin Credo
Everybody knows writing a story is
not easy. Like the drama or the poem, it is imaginative
literature that should appeal to the emotions of the readers.
Since it communicates the writer's interpretation of reality,
there must be an artistic use of language to signify human
experience. But how do we write a great short story? What
are the things to keep in mind in order to come up with
a short story that works? Here's a quick guide to get you
started:
1. Read
Reading is essential to anyone who wants to write. In order
to be able to write a good short story, you must read other
short stories first. This will not only give you the motivation
and inspiration for your own story, but it will also help
you learn how other authors made an impression on the reader
and use their style as basis to create your own style and
impression.
2. Get inspired
For seasoned professionals, there is no need to obtain inspiration
because thoughts naturally flow and they only have to put
them into words on paper. But for novice writers, it is
important to have one because it will not only help you
begin your first paragraph but also keep you going throughout.
Your inspiration may take the form of an object. a person,
or an event that you just can't seem to forget.
3. Conceptualize your story
Think of something you want to talk about with your readers.
Let's say you want to relate a story about a couple who
fell in love with each other. What about the couple? What
is it about them that you are interested to let your readers
know? Focus on this idea and think of other concepts that
you want to associate with this couple. Suppose the girl's
parents discommended their relationship. What about the
parents? What did they do to stop the two from loving each
other? This could signal a good beginning for your story.
From here, you would have the notion what to write down.
4. Map out the scenes
In order to keep your writing aligned with your pre-conceived
story events, it is good to briefly map out scenes of your
story on a different piece of paper. Write down the possible
characters of your story and list the main events in order.
You don't have to put so much detail on them because this
only serves as a rough sketch of how your story will look
like.
5. Chooose your point of view
Who tells the story and how it is told is very critical
for a short story to be effective. The point of view can
change the feel and tone of the story radically. Hence,
you must decide carefully before finally resolving with
the angle of vision to use for your story. But whatever
it is you decide to choose as the point of view, make sure
it stays constant throughout your story to maintain consistency.
6. Conceive your characters
For a short story, create a maximum of only three main characters.
Too many main characters will make your story confusing
since each new character will provide a new dimension for
the story. Each character should be more than cardboard
caricatures. Make your characters speak naturally in proportion
with their traits. Make them believable but mysterious.
7. Furnish a good introduction
When you have everything planned out, start scribbling your
first paragraph. Introduce your main characters and set
out the scene. The scene must be some place you know much
about so that you'd be able to supply the necessary snapshot
for a clearly described setting. Make your introduction
interesting to hold the reader's interest and encourage
them to read on to the end. It is also important to hold
back significant details and the greater part of the action
at this point so the mystery is kept.
8. Build up a great plot
From your introduction, draw out events that will eventually
create a problem or a conflict for the main character/characters.
After that, begin laying out an array of clues to keep the
reader interested, intrigued and guessing. Intensify the
conflict as the story moves forward. This will not only
make your reader enthused to read more but will also keep
them riveted to your story.
9. Show don't tell
The characters should be the ones responsible for expressing
the story through their actions and dialogue and not the
writer telling the reader what is being expressed. Rather
than saying, "Annette was really mad at her bestfriend Christina
for stealing her boyfriend", say "Annette felt an ache in
her stomach and a strong pang of betrayal as Christina approaches
her and flashes her with a sweet smile. She breathed hard
trying to calm herself as she speaks with suppressed anger:
"I hope you're happy now that you've proven yourself as
a friend."
10. Use active verbs
Put as much life into your story as you can. In order to
do this, employ verbs in the active voice in your story.
Instead of saying,"The flower was picked by Johanna", say
"Johanna picked the flower."
11. Use dialogue every now and then
Dialogue is important in bringing your story to life. Don't
just use it to pad out your characters. Use it to convey
your character to identify with the reader. Use it in direct
quotes like "Go there!" instead of indirect quotes as "She
told him to go there."
12. Keep references handy
A good reference such as a thesaurus or a dictionary is
crucial in creating a good story. You can use them to check
your spellings and to find the words which best fit your
description. Instead of using one lengthy sentence or paragraph,
you can utilize one or just a few words to convey what you
want to say. Oftentimes, one strong word has a greater effect
than a paragraph full of fancy language.
13. Conclude briefly
Conclusions are tough sledding. For a good ending, it is
advisable to experiment and to add a little twist. Make
your ending unique but not hanging in a loose end. Make
it satisfying without making it too predictable. Keep in
mind to keep it short but concise and lingering so that
the reader is left with a feeling of resonance. Your conclusion
should wrap up everything from start to finish.
14. Edit and revise
After fashioning the last words of your story, it is time
to begin the editing cycle. Carefully go through your work
and fix all your mistakes regarding sentence construction,
word usage, formatting. punctuation marks, diction, spelling,
grammar, and descriptive analysis. Scratch out words, phrases
and even paragraphs which don't seem to contribute to the
basic elements of the story. After you're done, let it sit
for a while for days and even weeks, then edit it again.
Reread your story over and over again at different occasions.
This will make you see various things you may want to change
to make your story shine at its best.
15. Let others proof read
Have your friends take a look at your work. They may just
be able to see mistakes which you have missed. For instance,
they may be distracted with some words or lines which you
adore dearly. In this case, you have to decide on changing
it or cutting it off completely.
Writing a short story may not be easy but it can surely
be done. With some knowledge on the basic elements and some
passion and patience, it's effortless to pull together a
story with just a few ideas. Just keep in mind that you're
writing not because you have to, but because you want to.
Keep the spirit up! Give it a go now!
About the author:
Rachelle Arlin Credo is an entrepreneur and relationship
coach. She also works as an image consultant and part-time
writer. Her stories, articles, essays and poetry have been
published in various magazines and online publications.
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