So, you’re thinking of dipping your toes into short story writing for Adventure April? Awesome choice! When you write a short story, it’s like crafting a gourmet appetizer, packed with all the flavor and impact of a novel, but condensed into a single perfect bite. Or if you’re a caffeine junkie, it’s like an espresso shot instead of a full pot of coffee – intense, concentrated, but satisfying.
Writing a short story is different from writing a novel, in more ways than simply word count. You still need engaging characters, a gripping plot, and evocative worldbuilding – but you must fit it all into a tighter package. That means no room for fluff or filler; every word has to earn its place and contribute to the overall story impact.
Structuring a Short Story
A novel is often structured like a roller coaster – whether you follow the Hero’s Journey, or a Save the Cat style beat sheet. It’s an escalating, repeating pattern of action and reaction. A short story doesn’t have space for the ups and downs of multiple plot turns and complications. When you write a short story, you present the tale of a single defining moment for a single character (or a small group of characters). It’s one big hill – with a cliff you push readers over at the end.
Writing a short story requires all the same basic elements as a novel: setting, characters, plot, theme, and dialogue. But nearly everything has to do double or triple duty. Your dialogue might move the plot along, and reveal character traits. Your setting description might have to establish your theme. A short piece of prose with description and character but no plot is a vignette. These character descriptions can be useful writing exercises, but without a beginning, middle and end – you don’t have a story.
Most successful short stories hinge on a plot twist or surprise ending. In some ways, they are structured like a joke. You set up reader expectations, and then subvert them in a surprising way right before the ending. This surprise or twist is where short stories get their emotional impact. You don’t have chapters of prose to get readers invested – so you have to shock them a little.
Writing Short Stories: Learn By Example
One great way to learn how to write a short story is by immersing yourself in the works of master storytellers. Dive into collections from Ray Bradbury, whose imaginative tales evoke wonder and awe, or explore the psychological depth of Henry James’ narratives. Delve into the thought-provoking stories of Ursula K. LeGuin and the haunting Southern Gothic prose of Flannery O’Connor. Experience the mind-bending concepts of Philip K. Dick and the thought-provoking exploration of humanity by Ted Chiang. These masters of the craft offer inspiration and insight into the art of short story writing.
To stay current with trends and tastes in short fiction, consider exploring magazines like Beneath Ceaseless Skies, Locus, Clarkesworld, Lightspeed, and Apex. These publications showcase a diverse range of voices and genres, providing a rich tapestry of storytelling. Whether you’re drawn to science fiction, fantasy, horror, or literary fiction, these magazines offer a wealth of short stories to spark ideas. Let the magic of short fiction inspire your own writing journey.
Write Your Short Story on World Anvil!
If you’re looking for the perfect platform to bring your short stories to life, look no further than World Anvil. With its intuitive interface and robust features, World Anvil makes it a breeze to organize your ideas, develop your characters, and share your stories with the world. Plus, it’s not just a writing tool – it’s a community of like-minded creators who are passionate about storytelling. So why wait? Sign up for a free account today and start crafting your next short story masterpiece. Your readers are waiting!
HAHAHAHAHA….I…LOVE you!
No joke…I was asking myself this morning, “I’ve done some origin stories, but HOW do you write a good short story?”
BAM!!
…this article appears in my inbox!??
MAGIC.
Heck, and I thought I was the only one who puzzled over writing a short story!