I am a short story writer. Now, I have tried every type of short story writing I can think of. The following is what I’ve found to be the best. Though this will not help you with grammar or voice, it will help you get the stories out faster, and that can help a lot with the first two, because editing can only take you so far. Now, let’s get how to write a short story!
But right now, you have to be asking, what is a short story? According to the American Fantasy and Science Fiction Writers, who put on the Nebula Awards, it is more than 1,000 words and less than 7,500. Fewer than 1,000 is referred to as flash fiction and anything more 7,500 is a novella. This column is for flash fiction and short stories.
First the things you need; an internet browser for research, your favorite word processor, a media player with plenty of music and very loud speakers. I think the loud speakers are important because they drown out the sounds of the world which can be distracting. Unless you want to write at night, then I suggest quiet speakers.
Second is the soundtrack. To me, this is almost as important as the actual writing. Having a musical background, with studies into movie music, I believe it's important to set the tone. Even though the reader won't be listening to the exact same thing or even anything at all, I find it helps to have something to write to that conveys the feeling of the piece. For example: when you're writing an action story, it's important to have something along the lines of Mission Impossible, James Bond, and metal music; for fantasy, Lord of the Rings, Within Temptation, and classical music. It's all about setting and state of mind. Music sets you in a state of mind to write the style of the music. This means that if you are listening to a pulse-pounding car chase song from James Bond, you’re most likely to want to write a car chase, or at least some type of action scene. This means that order is also important. Skip songs you have pick out if they do not fit the scenes you are writing. This will help make the scene flow more smoothly.
Third is the cast of characters. While this is not always necessary, I find it helps with anything over 1,000 words to create brief bios of all your main characters; your protagonist, antagonist, and their respective helpers. Also create a neutral section for those characters how help both sides.
Fourth, research! Even with fantasy, you have to have some knowledge. With some stories, you already know everything you need to know, but it always helps to have a little extra knowledge. With war stories, even one in the future, you have to know tactics, strategy and weapons. In fantasy, you have to know where your magic comes from (science), how you are going to make the words (etymology), and how your world will look (geography). Every type of story needs a little research, and it's best to get it over with sooner rather than later. It saves a lot of rewriting.
Fifth, you finally get to start writing the beginning! Now, I would start with some type of action. In one of my stories, it's just a man riding a horse up to a castle. That grabs the reader's attention by making them wondering what is in the castle, who is the man, and what is he doing there. That's how all stories should begin, by making the reader ask questions. Who, what, when, where, and why are all good questions to have your reader asking. Different genres have emphasis on different ones of these, but all have the questions at least somewhat. This is the appetizer of a story.
Sixth, the middle. This is the longest portion and also the most important. This is where you tell your story. To me, this could be up to 5/7 of your story, or even 6/7. This is where you are on your own; I can't give you much advice here without reading the story. But just make sure that if you are listening to music you make sure it matches the subject matter. Even if it seems like you aren't listening, you always are. It influences you subconsciously, so watch out. The one thing I will say, this is why I sometimes read things I can guess the ending of. It is the meat of story.
Seventh, the end. This is where you have your final battle. Even in a romance with no violence whatsoever, the characters always have a battle with each other, the parents, or friends. Make it a good one. Make it desert.
Now, I have nothing more to say. I hope you enjoyed that tutorial on how to write and short story and you use what I have found out to your own great benefit.
Have you ever felt discouraged by having a hard time writing a short story? Well, I have an answer! Read on and see what I do to get through the trials...
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