Many of us discover we love to write fiction. Some might stumble into writing while others know from the time they first pick up a pencil. Our problems lie with finding the proper starting point in the writing world. Do we jump into a full novel? How about trying our hand with some beautiful poetry? If nothing else sounds like it will work for you, try taking a shot at a short story. These stories can be based on any topic, setting, or characters you like. Write what you feel passionately about.
Writing can be one of the most rewarding challenges you can undertake in life. But many people get turned off when they immediately jump into a large project. Short stories offer a path to enjoy writing and keep it within a manageable level at the start.
Let's take a look at some of the basic components of a short story. When you read one, you may automatically think how easy it would be, but good short stories have many subtleties which make them enjoyable. Each story should have an introduction, a phase to build the action or plot, a climax, and a resolution. This is not a dead set rule, but for beginning writers it's easiest to follow a basic format. You will figure out how to bend this unwritten rule after building experience.
Now that we've looked at the basics lets start with searching for ideas. Once again we will go back to writing what you have passion for. If you aren't passionate about what you are writing, it won't have the right "mmph" to it in order to hook the reader. Find a subject you truly enjoy and begin thinking about ideas for the direction of your short story.
Once you have your characters and story planned decide who is going to tell the story. What viewpoint are you going to write in? First person? Second person? Third person? With short stories, a lot of experimentation can be used to find the best way to show the reader what is happening.
As you sit down to begin the writing process remember that the opening few sentences in a short story must contain a "hook". This device pulls the reader into the plot and connects them to the characters and settings. Without a strong lead, the readers may quickly lose interest.
After you've completed your short story (whether it is 100 words or 3,000 words) make sure to sit back and edit it. Not many writers can send a perfect rough draft out the door. The editing process is a key tool in any writer's arsenal. Look not only for grammatical and spelling mistakes, but also key factors in the story like dialogue and character actions.
If you have a forum to receive feedback... use it! One of the best ways to improve your writing is through constructive criticism from family, friends, writing clubs, or online communities. With the tips and critiques they provide you may find quite a few small mistakes or perhaps even big holes in your writing. Feedback from family and friends can make the difference between a decent story and a great one.
Writing fiction short stories can lead you to places you've never been. The worlds you create will forever live with you and continue to evolve as you go through life. Remember to keep writing and always have fun with it! Let short stories be the start of your writing career.
Chris Smith is an avid writer with over ten years of experience in the literary world. On his site, he offers free help to any writer. Each day a new short story is published on the homepage with a direct link to a discussion and feedback forum. Anyone can submit a story to be published. There is absolutely no cost.
Articles Source: Writing Short Stories - Fiction
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