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HOW TO WRITE A
SHORT STORY by Rachelle Arlin Credo
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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 dialogue every now and then
Dialogue is
important in bringing your story to life. Don't just use it to pad out your
characters. Use it to convey your character 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
proof read
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 mind that you're writing
not because you have to, but because you want to. Keep the spirit up! Give it a
go now!
About the Author:
Rachelle Arlin Credo is a
freelance writer and web columnist. For more info, visit her website at
http://www.crachelle.tk
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