Writing a story is one of the quickly-disappearing art forms in the literary world today. But there are signs that short story writing may be on the rebound. Some popular authors have published books of their short stories lately, and the Internet has become an ideal medium for writers and publishers of stories. You need to be able to find your short story niche and nudge your way in. This web page will give you resources and advice on how to write a story.
Writing a story is different from writing a novel or a book. Obviously, it is not nearly as long, but this means it doesn't take as much planning, energy, research, diligence, or time. Wow, what a bargain! Typically, you don't need a long, elaborate plot or incredibly developed characters, either. But there are a few things you must have.
- Quick Plot Development. You must enter the main river of the story plot quickly. A short story doesn't give you time to dilly-dally your way to it. Get to the plot conflicts rapidly. A story is a sprint, not a marathon.
- Very Memorable Characters. While your story characters don't need to be highly developed, they do need to be original, unique, and memorable; they need to make an instant impact on the reader's mind.
- Active Dialogue and Pacing. Your characters and your storyline cannot get bogged down in too many details or side tributaries. Stay with the main current of the river. The dialogue needs to hit home quickly, the characters' interactions direct and to the point.
- Climax. Even more than a novel, a short story must have a discernible and often hard-hitting climax. The story needs to wrap up in a nice, tight little package, the climax being the story's finishing bow on top.
Everything Creative Writing Book: All You Need to Know to Write a Novel, Short Story, Screenplay, Poem, or Article. Offers how-to advice on the creative writing process. Separate chapters offer discussions of the different facets of writing short stories, novels, screenplays, functional and literary nonfiction, and poetry. More general chapters offer advice on getting ideas, planning, researching, organizing drafting, editing, evaluating, rhetorical devices, overcoming writer's block, working with others, and getting published.