| Everybody knows writing a story is not easy. Like the | | | | plotFrom your introduction, draw out events that will |
| drama or the poem, it is imaginative literature that | | | | eventually create a problem or a conflict for the main |
| should appeal to the emotions of the readers. Since it | | | | character/characters. After that, begin laying out an |
| communicates the writer's interpretation of reality, | | | | array of clues to keep the reader interested, intrigued |
| there must be an artistic use of language to signify | | | | and guessing. Intensify the conflict as the story moves |
| human experience. But how do we write a great short | | | | forward. This will not only make your reader enthused |
| story? What are the things to keep in mind in order to | | | | to read more but will also keep them riveted to your |
| come up with a short story that works? Here's a quick | | | | story.9. Show don't tellThe characters should be the |
| guide to get you started:1. ReadReading is essential to | | | | ones responsible for expressing the story through their |
| anyone who wants to write. In order to be able to | | | | actions and dialogue and not the writer telling the |
| write a good short story, you must read other short | | | | reader what is being expressed. Rather than saying, |
| stories first. This will not only give you the motivation | | | | "Annette was really mad at her bestfriend Christina for |
| and inspiration for your own story, but it will also help | | | | stealing her boyfriend", say "Annette felt an ache in her |
| you learn how other authors made an impression on | | | | stomach and a strong pang of betrayal as Christina |
| the reader and use their style as basis to create your | | | | approaches her and flashes her with a sweet smile. |
| own style and impression.2. Get inspiredFor seasoned | | | | She breathed hard trying to calm herself as she |
| professionals, there is no need to obtain inspiration | | | | speaks with suppressed anger: "I hope you're happy |
| because thoughts naturally flow and they only have to | | | | now that you've proven yourself as a friend."10. Use |
| put them into words on paper. But for novice writers, it | | | | active verbsPut as much life into your story as you |
| is important to have one because it will not only help | | | | can. In order to do this, employ verbs in the active |
| you begin your first paragraph but also keep you going | | | | voice in your story. Instead of saying,"The flower was |
| throughout. Your inspiration may take the form of an | | | | picked by Johanna", say "Johanna picked the flower."11. |
| object. a person, or an event that you just can't seem | | | | Use some dialogueDialogue is important in bringing your |
| to forget.3. Conceptualize your storyThink of | | | | story to life. Don't just use it to pad out your |
| something you want to talk about with your readers. | | | | characters. Use it to convey your characters to |
| Let's say you want to relate a story about a couple | | | | identify with the reader. Use it in direct quotes like "Go |
| who fell in love with each other. What about the | | | | there!" instead of indirect quotes as "She told him to go |
| couple? What is it about them that you are interested | | | | there."12. Keep references handyA good reference |
| to let your readers know? Focus on this idea and think | | | | such as a thesaurus or a dictionary is crucial in creating |
| of other concepts that you want to associate with this | | | | a good story. You can use them to check your |
| couple. Suppose the girl's parents discommended their | | | | spellings and to find the words which best fit your |
| relationship. What about the parents? What did they | | | | description. Instead of using one lengthy sentence or |
| do to stop the two from loving each other? This could | | | | paragraph, you can utilize one or just a few words to |
| signal a good beginning for your story. From here, you | | | | convey what you want to say. Oftentimes, one strong |
| would have the notion what to write down.4. Map out | | | | word has a greater effect than a paragraph full of |
| the scenesIn order to keep your writing aligned with | | | | fancy language.13. Conclude brieflyConclusions are |
| your pre-conceived story events, it is good to briefly | | | | tough sledding. For a good ending, it is advisable to |
| map out scenes of your story on a different piece of | | | | experiment and to add a little twist. Make your ending |
| paper. Write down the possible characters of your | | | | unique but not hanging in a loose end. Make it satisfying |
| story and list the main events in order. You don't have | | | | without making it too predictable. Keep in mind to keep |
| to put so much detail on them because this only | | | | it short but concise and lingering so that the reader is |
| serves as a rough sketch of how your story will look | | | | left with a feeling of resonance. Your conclusion should |
| like.5. Chooose your point of viewWho tells the story | | | | wrap up everything from start to finish.14. Edit and |
| and how it is told is very critical for a short story to be | | | | reviseAfter fashioning the last words of your story, it is |
| effective. The point of view can change the feel and | | | | time to begin the editing cycle. Carefully go through |
| tone of the story radically. Hence, you must decide | | | | your work and fix all your mistakes regarding |
| carefully before finally resolving with the angle of vision | | | | sentence construction, word usage, formatting. |
| to use for your story. But whatever it is you decide to | | | | punctuation marks, diction, spelling, grammar, and |
| choose as the point of view, make sure it stays | | | | descriptive analysis. Scratch out words, phrases and |
| constant throughout your story to maintain | | | | even paragraphs which don't seem to contribute to the |
| consistency.6. Conceive your charactersFor a short | | | | basic elements of the story. After you're done, let it sit |
| story, create a maximum of only three main | | | | for a while for days and even weeks, then edit it again. |
| characters. Too many main characters will make your | | | | Reread your story over and over again at different |
| story confusing since each new character will provide | | | | occasions. This will make you see various things you |
| a new dimension for the story. Each character should | | | | may want to change to make your story shine at its |
| be more than cardboard caricatures. Make your | | | | best.15. Let others proofreadHave your friends take a |
| characters speak naturally in proportion with their traits. | | | | look at your work. They may just be able to see |
| Make them believable but mysterious.7. Furnish a good | | | | mistakes which you have missed. For instance, they |
| introductionWhen you have everything planned out, | | | | may be distracted with some words or lines which you |
| start scribbling your first paragraph. Introduce your main | | | | adore dearly. In this case, you have to decide on |
| characters and set out the scene. The scene must be | | | | changing it or cutting it off completely.Writing a short |
| some place you know much about so that you'd be | | | | story may not be easy but it can surely be done. With |
| able to supply the necessary snapshot for a clearly | | | | some knowledge on the basic elements and some |
| described setting. Make your introduction interesting to | | | | passion and patience, it's effortless to pull together a |
| hold the reader’s interest and encourage them | | | | story with just a few ideas. Just keep in mind that |
| to read on to the end. It is also important to hold back | | | | you're writing not because you have to, but because |
| significant details and the greater part of the action at | | | | you want to. Give it a go now! |
| this point so the mystery is kept.8. Build up a great | | | | |