What’s the best part about writing a short story? I want to say having it accepted for publication. But that doesn’t always happen. What’s the best part of writing flash fiction? I would like to say because they are short and easy to write, but I would be lying. Just because a story is short doesn’t mean it’s easy to write.
So here are a few tips I’ve learnt on writing a short story.
TELL A STORY
Short stories are not novels. Don’t get me wrong, they have similar characteristics, and they both need to tell a story. The fundamental difference between a novel and a short story is a short story has to work with a word limit.
START ALMOST AT THE END
One of the things I do with short stories is start as close to the end as possible. The next challenge is to keep the readers interested by keeping up the pace.
THREE CHARACTERS
Another really essential thing I learnt early on is to keep the number of characters small. I try to stay with the number three. You need a protagonist and antagonist, but when you have three characters the third is called the relationship character. This relationship can be with either the protagonist or the antagonist.
KEEP THE BACKSTORY LIMITED
Short stories don’t have the space for a backstory. Provide a bit of motivation behind the character, but that’s all.
CHARACTER’S DIALOGUE
The character’s speech should provide an understanding of who they are, and giving them something to do when speaking is even better. My antagonist is skinning a rabbit.
CONFLICT, CONFLICT ,CONFLICT
The characters need a situation they must solve. I was told once to write a good short story you only need one point of conflict. I think this is true and I stay with that option.
INCLUDE THE SENSES
Try to include all of the senses. By doing this, you explore everything the world has to offer. In my story, there is the jiggling of keys, the sound of the gas lantern, the cooking of a rabbit, the sound of shackles. See if you can find more when you read the story below.
I was lucky enough to have a short story published this month. You can find it here
This story contained a few important things. These are an incident that produces a need for action, progressing complication and a climax. It’s not a perfect story, but the more I write the better they become.
I’m still learning how to write an award winning short story, but the best thing to help any writer do that is to keep writing them. Practising your craft is everything.
So until next time… “Be brave and bold in your chosen field of creativity. And never be afraid to explore new techniques”
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