Most of us writers have written at least one in our life time, even if it was a simple five word story when we were toddlers. No one goes straight into writing a novel, no one has that much experience, so why when everyone sees the words short story to they cringe?
We've forgotten how to write short.
In this world of word counts and fancy plots and descriptions there's no time to write a simple story anymore. Instead we focus on the idea that has enough meat to constitute a novel, tossing short aside once we get a grip on our craft.
Fellow writers, there is a need for a short story out there!
But, like all good novelists we've forgotten how. Minor problem...
Recently, I had to write a story with a word limit of 4,000 words.*shudders* and here's how I, a girl who hasn't written anything that short since around 2009, did it.
I Kept it Simple
Do you know how difficult this is? This means one plot line, no subplots, at all. That means unless your story is a flat out romance Romeo and Juliet shouldn't be ending up together guys. Don't try to put too much in, that either a) makes it too long, or b) makes it confusing. Both are bad.
I Kept it (somewhat) Realistic
This tip is more subjective, but I've been reading entirely too many short stories lately, and most if not all have been realistic fiction, no fantasy here. The reason being that it's too hard to explain a reader to your world, explain how things work AND try to tell a story in 4,000 words or less. Now, that's not to say that you cannot tell a fabulous fantasy story in 4,000 words, but for most of us out there that's wayyyyyy too difficult.
I Kept it Concise
In stories without word counts we can afford to set up a scene with a two hundred word intro, in a short story this is not an option, we need those words for writing! This requires us to get more creative with our intros, but in the long run what would your reader rather hear about? The scenery or the scene?
Well that's what I've come up with, anyone have anything to add?
-Libby
"This is what the Lord Almighty said 'administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another." Zachariah 7:9
Fellow writers, there is a need for a short story out there!
But, like all good novelists we've forgotten how. Minor problem...
Recently, I had to write a story with a word limit of 4,000 words.
I Kept it Simple
Do you know how difficult this is? This means one plot line, no subplots, at all. That means unless your story is a flat out romance Romeo and Juliet shouldn't be ending up together guys. Don't try to put too much in, that either a) makes it too long, or b) makes it confusing. Both are bad.
I Kept it (somewhat) Realistic
This tip is more subjective, but I've been reading entirely too many short stories lately, and most if not all have been realistic fiction, no fantasy here. The reason being that it's too hard to explain a reader to your world, explain how things work AND try to tell a story in 4,000 words or less. Now, that's not to say that you cannot tell a fabulous fantasy story in 4,000 words, but for most of us out there that's wayyyyyy too difficult.
I Kept it Concise
In stories without word counts we can afford to set up a scene with a two hundred word intro, in a short story this is not an option, we need those words for writing! This requires us to get more creative with our intros, but in the long run what would your reader rather hear about? The scenery or the scene?
Well that's what I've come up with, anyone have anything to add?
-Libby
"This is what the Lord Almighty said 'administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another." Zachariah 7:9
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