14 Tips On Writing The Short-Short Story


The short-short story has been likened by some as being closer to writing a poem than a story. And that makes sense-every word has to be packed with power; every line has to move the story along.

The Writing For Success short story competition requires you to write a very short story-the word limit is just 900 words. Here are some tips to help you make every word count.

  • The opening paragraph is the most important one in a short story. Use it to hook your readers and draw them into the ongoing drama of your story.

  • In the opening lines, you have to do the following:

    • Set the scene

    • Introduce the main character

    • Reveal the main character's mood, approximate age, his/her goal or problem

    • Show that something interesting is about to happen

  • Begin with a character and let this person take you where they want to go-then when the story is written, edit, shape and tighten your prose.

  • Decide whose story this is. Choose one viewpoint and stick to it.

  • Don't force your characters to speak words that sound out of character or engage in actions that don't suit their personality.

  • Avoid detailed descriptions of setting - give the reader a quick 'snapshot'. A few powerful words or phrases can do a lot of work.

  • Use the same approach to describe the character's appearance. Choose words that trigger the reader's imagination and let him/her fill in the gaps - e.g. "She had a loose-limbed, healthy outdoor look about her".

  • Try to avoid plots that hinge on a coincidence or a misunderstanding that could be cleared up if the characters would just talk to each other. (You have to be a very good writer to pull this off so the reader is satisfied.)

  • Very short stories are a bit like jokes: they build up to a twist or a punchline. The difficult part is playing fair with the reader in having all the clues there, without making the outcome too obvious.

  • Show that your character has grown or changed in some way-she has a new understanding of people or of herself; she has learned a lesson; she has changed her attitude. NOTE: If your character 'comes to realise' something important, make sure she comes to this realization through a strong piece of action or a powerful lesson-not through a weak, "Oh, my goodness, I never thought of it that way before - silly me!"

  • Appeal to your reader's emotions. We all identify with loss, sorrow, disappointment, frustration - make sure that emotions are powerful elements in your story.

  • Make every word of dialogue count - avoid aimless 'how are you today?' type exchanges; let actions take the place of words on occasions. And remember there's no need to TELL as well as SHOW - for example, if you write "Marcia was really angry at his words. Her face grew scarlet with rage as she yelled, "I can't believe you said that! Get out of here!' then you've wasted ten words. You could simply have said: Marcia's face grew scarlet with rage. "I can't believe you said that! Get out of here!"

  • When it's time to edit, remember that every word has to move the story forward. Yes, I know I've already said that - but it's worth saying a hundred times, because one of the hardest things a writer can do is cut words. You have to be tough. Cut out whatever is unnecessary; poorly expressed; overly detailed. In a very short story, it's more likely to be what you've cut out that sells your work than what you've left in.

  • STUDY YOUR MARKET. This seems painfully obvious, but so many writers just can't be bothered. It makes sense to study your target market. There are a number of magazines that publish the short-short story of around 900 words - read as many as you can!(C) Copyright Marg McAlister

    Marg McAlister has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers' tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/


    MORE RESOURCES:

    guardian.co.uk

    Steven Tyler Is Just Writing A Book! No Drugs (Allegedly)
    PerezHilton.com (blog)
    A spokesman for Steven Tyler has said that the Aerosmith frontman is just taking a quick break due to a shoulder injury and he is working on his ...
    TYLER IS WRITING HIS MEMOIRSContactmusic.com

    all 190 news articles »


    Parting Shot: Writing In Alexander for Biletnikoff Award
    Kansas City Star
    By Mike dearmond - Posted on 20 November 2009 Danario Alexander is not a finalist for the award given annual to college football's best receiver. ...

    and more »


    Hindu

    'Writing is a solo pursuit'
    Hindu
    I really believe what happens in the writing experience happens in the reading experience. If there is velocity in the writing, then there will be the same ...

    and more »


    Contactmusic.com

    Cruz's record label wants him to stop writing hits
    Ireland Online
    He said: “I kept writing them and the record company kept shouting at me because I kept giving all the songs away. “I'm not really precious like that. ...
    Taio Cruz: Breaking charts as well as heartsSkiddle.com

    all 12 news articles »


    CTV.ca

    What's This Mania? Twilight's New Moon
    Radar Redux: Baltimore Arts and Culture (blog)
    Listen, I study Creative Writing in school. I love literature. I value writing and even more so, I value good writing, unique writing, writing which ...
    "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" Review: $1/10ChicagoNow (blog)
    Vampires enter curriculum?Comox Valley Record

    all 756 news articles »


    Film School Rejects (blog)

    'Underworld 4' on the Way With 'Shield' Scribe Writing
    Moviefone
    According to the Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog, the task of writing the fourth film falls upon John Hlavin, best known as a writer and story editor ...
    Underworld 4 being scripted by John HlavinComic Book Movie

    all 25 news articles »


    Dacre Stoker: Writing a sequel to a beloved classic
    National Post
    There are many mysteries surrounding Bram Stoker's writing of Dracula. These include: what resources he used or knew of, how much he actually knew about the ...

    and more »


    New York Daily News

    Martha Stewart pans Rachael Ray's cooking - and cooking writing
    New York Daily News
    Stewart told ABC News' Cynthia mcfadden that Ray's approach to cooking - and cookbook writing - is "not good enough for me." In her first TV interview since ...

    and more »


    'Precious' Screenwriter Talks Passion For Writing
    CDInsight
    Geoffrey Fletcher, screenwriter of "Precious," talked of passions for film writing before coming out with the hit drama. Fletcher said he took up film at ...



    Analysis: Darwin vs. Genesis, a literary smackdown
    Toronto Star
    Genesis, it has to be said, is tough to beat as a piece of writing. It contains both the best of the wilderness, emerging over several generations from the ...

    and more »

    Google News

  • Home | Articles Site Map