Dec 23 2008
6 Steps to Writing the Short Story
The new year is almost here. It’s a time of new beginnings for most of us when we make lists of things we want to accomplish in the coming year. Or, may just a list of things we’ve always wanted to try. If writing fiction is one of those things, the best way to start is with a short story. It doesn’t take the commitment of writing a novel, besides there is a great deal to learn. So, if writing a novel is ultimately your goal, beginning with a short story can be thought of as the first lesson, a pre-lesson that will prepare you for longer works of fiction
(1) Getting the idea. If you have a million different ideas swimming around in your head, great. Make a list and choose the one that appeals to you the most. If not, reading the newspaper is an excellent way to find possible scenarios for your first short story.
(2) Building on the idea. What would happen if… and then what if…. Continue with this line of thinking until you have come up with a full plot to your short story.
(3) Write a synopsis. Write a short paragraph or two of what the story is about.
(4) Point of view. Who’s telling the story. Will you use “I” for first person or Mary (person’s name) third person?
(5) Three act play. Divide the story in to three parts, the beginning, the middle and the end. The first part puts your main character in peril from the first sentence. After she’s found her way out of the problem, start the middle section which gives her back story while getting herself into even bigger fixes that she must find her way out of. The end should be a resolution that she (alone) is responsible for with a twist to make the ending more interesting.
(6) Choose a title for your short story. It could be a phrase repeated from someplace in the story or a single word. It can, however, be easier to choose a title after the story is completed. For more details on writing the short story see helium.com/items/1274455-how-to-write-a-story.
