A Very Short Story - How to Write Compactly

By Susan Hart

If you can write a few incredibly short, short stories -- then this will go a long way towards practice for the longer ones of over 1,000 words or more. And when we are talking about short, we mean 50-300 words. See the example below and note how it has suspense, mystery, a beginning, middle and a nice twisty ending. If you can be this compact when you write, a short story will turn out wonderfully. This one I call Primitives comes in at 262 words, and it's in my favorite genre, Sci-Fi.
 
Woman and cat, both long, lean and black, crouched low in the overgrown dry grass, sand and rusted remains of objects long decayed into red and lumpy masses. She, dressed in a ragged and stained piece of cloth, gestured to the cat silently. Cat, hackles raised, looked at her then slunk off and around the small hill.
 
Woman, using the row of dunes for cover, kept hidden as long as she could. Without taking her eyes off the animal ahead of them, she reached out and grabbed the closest thing she could find, then half crouching, threw it at the animal ahead. She hit the rabbit as cat took advantage of the stunned animal, leapt on it and with one swift bite, killed and then carried it over to the woman.
 
She stood up, holding the rabbit out to the cat proudly. After both admired their meal with a good degree of satisfaction, woman bent down and picked up the object she had thrown at the rabbit. She looked at it curiously then began to pocket it, but took it out again and held it in her hand. It sparkled a little, even in the putrid light which seeped through the blanket of clouds. She cleaned off the clear but cracked face of the object, stared at the numbers painted below, then shrugged and tied it to her belt.
 
Satisfied, the woman and the cat moved off to their shelter, the battered pocket watch swinging from her belt. Long past its original purpose, it was given a new one by its owner.

About the Author:

Susan Hart is a former literary agent, born in England, with the majority of her clients being screenwriters. After many years of helping others get their work published or up on the big or small screen, she is concentrating on her own writing in the areas of articles (of many kinds), short stories, novels and sceenplays plus editng and proofreading, Some samples of her work can be found on her website at: http://www.ifreelance.com/pro/49442

Articles Source: A Very Short Story - How to Write Compactly

Read more

Short Story Writing - Tips to Help You Get Started

By Susan Hart

A short story may be the best project for a novice writer, as it is short (obviously) and complete within itself. Short stories can go from 55 words (incredibly short) up to around 5,000 words (fairly long), but the most common word count is around 1,500-2,000.    Because it is so short, a single incident (not a lifetime) is the best subject. The story should still have a beginning, middle and end plus a nice little twist somewhere in there, perhaps at the climax.

Every word in this compact form of literature should have meaning. There is little time to convey your story, emotions and plotline. It's a good idea to read as many short stories as you can. O'Henry is the master of short stories and his The Gift Of The Magi is an incredible one. Read through that a few times to get the idea of how a short story is composed, the highs and lows, emotions and interest it conveys.   You can write short stories in any genre. First, get an idea for your story and try and either complete it in your head, or jot down the plotline on the computer or in a journal. Once complete, start in on others. 

Some magazines publish single short stories, but the best way to get published is to write several in one genre, then pursue the magazines or books that publish anthologies. You can still try and get single short stories published but it is good if you have a few of them ready to go just in case. Writing a short story can be accomplished in as little as half an hour, or weeks. It does depend on the complexities. Practice being economical with words by writing one of those 55 word ones, then go up to perhaps 500 words, then 1,200 then 2,000. This will enable you to see the development.

Short stories are great fun to write. And, you can work on them almost anywhere. Don't be afraid to get going o your first one. Seeing it completed on the page will give you confidence, and because they don't take much time to write, your confidence can grow my leaps and bounds, and perhaps lead to longer writing projects.    

About the Author:

Susan Hart is a former literary agent, born in England, with the majority of her clients being screenwriters. After many years of helping others get their work published or up on the big or small screen, she is concentrating on her own writing in the areas of articles (of many kinds), short stories, novels and sceenplays plus editing and proofreading, Some samples of her work can be found on her website at: http://www.ifreelance.com/pro/49442

Articles Source: Short Story Writing - Tips to Help You Get Started

Read more

How to Write a Short Story

By juenemann marchbanks

Everybody knows writing a story is not easy. Like the drama or the poem, it is imaginative literature that should appeal to the emotions of the readers. Since it communicates the writer's interpretation of reality, there must be an artistic use of language to signify human experience. But how do we write a great short story? What are the things to keep in mind in order to come up with a short story that works? Here's a quick guide to get you started:

1. Read

Reading is essential to anyone who wants to write. In order to be able to write a good short story, you must read other short stories first. This will not only give you the motivation and inspiration for your own story, but it will also help you learn how other authors made an impression on the reader and use their style as basis to create your own style and impression.

2. Get inspired

For seasoned professionals, there is no need to obtain inspiration because thoughts naturally flow and they only have to put them into words on paper. But for novice writers, it is important to have one because it will not only help you begin your first paragraph but also keep you going throughout. Your inspiration may take the form of an object. a person, or an event that you just can't seem to forget.

3. Conceptualize your story

Think of something you want to talk about with your readers. Let's say you want to relate a story about a couple who fell in love with each other. What about the couple? What is it about them that you are interested to let your readers know? Focus on this idea and think of other concepts that you want to associate with this couple. Suppose the girl's parents discommended their relationship. What about the parents? What did they do to stop the two from loving each other? This could signal a good beginning for your story. From here, you would have the notion what to write down.

4. Map out the scenes

In order to keep your writing aligned with your pre-conceived story events, it is good to briefly map out scenes of your story on a different piece of paper. Write down the possible characters of your story and list the main events in order. You don't have to put so much detail on them because this only serves as a rough sketch of how your story will look like.

5. Chooose your point of view

Who tells the story and how it is told is very critical for a short story to be effective. The point of view can change the feel and tone of the story radically. Hence, you must decide carefully before finally resolving with the angle of vision to use for your story. But whatever it is you decide to choose as the point of view, make sure it stays constant throughout your story to maintain consistency.

6. Conceive your characters

For a short story, create a maximum of only three main characters. Too many main characters will make your story confusing since each new character will provide a new dimension for the story. Each character should be more than cardboard caricatures. Make your characters speak naturally in proportion with their traits. Make them believable but mysterious.

7. Furnish a good introduction

When you have everything planned out, start scribbling your first paragraph. Introduce your main characters and set out the scene. The scene must be some place you know much about so that you'd be able to supply the necessary snapshot for a clearly described setting. Make your introduction interesting to hold the reader's interest and encourage them to read on to the end. It is also important to hold back significant details and the greater part of the action at this point so the mystery is kept.

8. Build up a great plot

From your introduction, draw out events that will eventually create a problem or a conflict for the main character/characters. After that, begin laying out an array of clues to keep the reader interested, intrigued and guessing. Intensify the conflict as the story moves forward. This will not only make your reader enthused to read more but will also keep them riveted to your story.

9. Show don't tell

The characters should be the ones responsible for expressing the story through their actions and dialogue and not the writer telling the reader what is being expressed. Rather than saying, "Annette was really mad at her bestfriend Christina for stealing her boyfriend", say "Annette felt an ache in her stomach and a strong pang of betrayal as Christina approaches her and flashes her with a sweet smile. She breathed hard trying to calm herself as she speaks with suppressed anger: "I hope you're happy now that you've proven yourself as a friend."

10. Use active verbs

Put as much life into your story as you can. In order to do this, employ verbs in the active voice in your story. Instead of saying,"The flower was picked by Johanna", say "Johanna picked the flower."

11. Use some dialogue

Dialogue is important in bringing your story to life. Don't just use it to pad out your characters. Use it to convey your characters to identify with the reader. Use it in direct quotes like "Go there!" instead of indirect quotes as "She told him to go there."

12. Keep references handy

A good reference such as a thesaurus or a dictionary is crucial in creating a good story. You can use them to check your spellings and to find the words which best fit your description. Instead of using one lengthy sentence or paragraph, you can utilize one or just a few words to convey what you want to say. Oftentimes, one strong word has a greater effect than a paragraph full of fancy language.

13. Conclude briefly

Conclusions are tough sledding. For a good ending, it is advisable to experiment and to add a little twist. Make your ending unique but not hanging in a loose end. Make it satisfying without making it too predictable. Keep in mind to keep it short but concise and lingering so that the reader is left with a feeling of resonance. Your conclusion should wrap up everything from start to finish.

14. Edit and revise

After fashioning the last words of your story, it is time to begin the editing cycle. Carefully go through your work and fix all your mistakes regarding sentence construction, word usage, formatting. punctuation marks, diction, spelling, grammar, and descriptive analysis. Scratch out words, phrases and even paragraphs which don't seem to contribute to the basic elements of the story. After you're done, let it sit for a while for days and even weeks, then edit it again. Reread your story over and over again at different occasions. This will make you see various things you may want to change to make your story shine at its best.

15. Let others proofread

Have your friends take a look at your work. They may just be able to see mistakes which you have missed. For instance, they may be distracted with some words or lines which you adore dearly. In this case, you have to decide on changing it or cutting it off completely.

Writing a short story may not be easy but it can surely be done. With some knowledge on the basic elements and some passion and patience, it's effortless to pull together a story with just a few ideas. Just keep in

 

Now Pay Close Attention --

Making money online with e-commerce is simpler than you've been told. Everyone faces the same two problems:

[Problem #1] How To Get Your Online Store Started

[Problem #2] How To Bring Traffic To Your Store To Produce Sales

ZamZuu has been solving these two problems for thousands of people! ZamZuu has been tried and tested and known to produce excellent results.

First: Visit ZamZuu Here
Learn How Your Can Start Your Own E-Commerce Store For Next To Nothing and Make THousands Monthly Using Our Proven Secrets!

Second: Sign Up For More Information From ZamZuu
We will show you exactly how you can start your e-commerce store and begin making profits online in as little as 7 days!

About the Author:

With over 2 Billion dollars being spend on e-commerce this year alone, online sales are a massive opportunity to make a great living online. But to take advantage of this amazing opportunity, it is always a good idea to get a head start on your competition with the help of a company that has been doing it for years. Visit http://www.takeforeveroff.com and learn how you can make a great living in e-commerce.

Articles Source: How to Write a Short Story

Read more

Re-Writing Your Story

By carycetmca

I've been listening to the Abraham-Hicks's 'Money and the Law of Attraction' CDs. One of the significant threads of advice is 'start telling a new story'.

We create our lives from the stories we tell about past, future, and present events. The stories evoke emotion - a vibrational beacon - that draws the essence of whatever we are focusing to us.

So in real terms, it goes something like this:

 hen someone asks me, 'how is the IVF stuff going?' and I answer, 'It sucks. There has been delay after delay, stuff up after stuff up, nothing has happened all year, we've wasted a whole year in this process, and I'm turning 40 next year - my time is nearly up.' Well, you can see where this is heading!

The story I am telling about IVF is bringing more of the same to me - more delays, more frustration, more disappointment.

So how do I crack this vicious cycle?

First, it's about addressing the underlying stories. It's about challenging your intentions. What do I really want? Do I really want to be a mum? What's holding me back and throwing up these negative stories? A quick assessment reveals that I am really nervous about motherhood. Am I ready? What will I need to give up? Do I really want the sleepless nights, the worry, the messy diapers?

These are all fantasies about the worst case scenarios of course - stories I tell about what might happen.

So far I'm telling stories of frustration about what is happening, and stories of doom about what might happen. And none of it feels good - which is a clear sign I am out of alignment with what I really want.

Everything you really want always feels delicious and fabulous.

The only way to get what you really want is to get in alignment with it, vibrationally speaking. And the best way to do that is start telling new stories.

Let's try again...

'How is the IVF stuff going?'

'Thing are progressing. It's amazing what science can do - science and medicine has saved my life on more than one occasion. I am extremely fortunate to have this chance at having babies after my cancer experience. In the meantime I am really enjoying my job and having a great time with my husband. I am feeling hopeful and positive about our chances with so much support around us. The human body is really an amazing thing - my body has been a remarkable companion to me these 39 years. I am letting the universe arrange things for us. It's all good.'

Boy that feels good! It's a letting go of expectations and timings and even worry - letting the universe handle all that. I really feel things are in train and that every thing is for my highest good.

Now your turn!

What stories are you hanging on to? Is your mate a 'stubborn so-and-so'? Is your job a 'dead end'? Was your childhood a 'disaster'?

Sometimes we tell stories like these because it evokes a sense of righteousness or purpose. This is linked to the dynamics of the Drama Triangle. When we tell the story of us as victim (like how I keep repeating that the medical system is full of bumbling idiots and I am suffering for it), then we let go of our sense of responsibility in creating the outcomes.

That sense of powerlessness is an abdication of responsibility that does not serve us, and only brings more unwanted to us.

Telling a new story where we look for positive aspects of a situation of a person or event takes us out of the drama triangle and back on track to creating what we really desire.

Here's a big tip for you: If the story you are telling feels bad - stop. Start telling a new story that breathes possibilities and appreciation. You'll feel relief automatically.

It's in this way you can re-write your own past. Not ignore or pretend events did or did not happen, but you can change your interpretation of them so they feel good, and thus you are empowered.

The say history is written is written by the victors - it's time you were the champion in your own life! 

About the Author:

Leadership Coach, Speaker, and Author Zoe Routh works with women in business to enhance their personal effectiveness and leadership capacity for global effect. For free tips on how to become a more effective leader that will save you time, money, energy, and stress, go to http://www.innercompass.com.au

Articles Source: Re-Writing Your Story

Read more

Writing Short Stories - Fiction

By Chris L. Smith

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.

About the Author:

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

Read more