The short story is the perfect medium for any writer. While
writing a novel may take months or even years, just about anybody can craft a short story in a matter of days (or at least
a week). That doesn’t mean that short stories are easy to write, and it certainly doesn’t mean that they’re
not as valuable as novels. But with practice, patience, persistence, and a passion for writing, you can learn the elements
for perfecting a short story:
1.
It’s important
to grab the reader’s attention in the opening paragraph. Have you begun at an intriguing point in the story? Avoid boring
introductions and get right into the story.
2. You can use flashbacks, but too much “history”
can kill the pace of your story.
3. Try to maintain momentum throughout the story by using action verbs, but avoiding
clichés.
4. Present your development of the character and portray her through her actions,
reactions, and interactions with others.
5. Keep a consistent viewpoint. The smallest
shift can destroy the reader’s empathy with the main character.
6. Leave the reader with room for imagination.
You don’t have to describe every single move, thought, and feeling. Just give enough to keep the story moving.
7. Description enhances the story, but too much at one time makes your writing look cluttered. Try to sprinkle
description throughout the story.
8. The ending has to be satisfying, believable, and logical. You want to clear up
some loose ends, but always leave the reader wanting more.
9. Be sure to use natural dialogue for each character
and not a lot of narrative storytelling.
10. Your story must involve some type of conflict, even if it’s subtle
tension. Without some type of tension, external, or internal conflict, there’s no story.
11.
Nothing can prepare
you for writing a short story better than reading some good short stories. Notice the writing styles, amount of words used,
and endings.
12. Remember the basics of writing a short story are the same as a full length novel. You must have a beginning,
rising actions, climax, falling actions, and conclusion.
13. Limit the timeframe of your story. A novel can occur over thousands
of years, but a short story should focus on a specific timeframe (one day, one night, or a weekend).
14.
Next, organize
your thoughts, start writing, and keep writing until you’ve reached your goal of 2,000 – 3,000 (standard short
story).
15. Once you’re done with your story, let it marinate for a few days. Then, revise it and send to a trusted
friend or a member of your writer’s group for editing and feedback.
16. Finally, don’t give up. Remember, a
major part of writing is rewriting. Try to come up with a relevant title that will capture the reader’s attention, and
you’re done.
