Short stories

[sarillia]

Anyone have any tips for writing short stories that may be different from tips for writing longer forms? I'm much more familiar with novels but I'd like to try to submit some short stories for open calls that look interesting.

Comments

[inkdust]

I'd love some short story tips too. Any idea I have, my brain automatically starts envisioning the long run.

[lunabee34]

I would think of writing a short story in terms of limiting what you're writing in scope. When I assign my students narratives (which are personal narratives about their own experiences, but I think the assignment parameters apply here), I tell them that they can only write about an event or situation that took place over the course of a weekend at most and the smaller unit of time they can cover in their essay, the stronger the essay will be. I always have students who want to write about how an illness messed up their senior year, for example. And I tell them they have to pick one representative moment that encapsulates how that illness affected them because their essays are too short to try to cover too much time. Trying to cover their whole senior year means that most of their essays will be exposition rather than scene and will consequently be less vibrant and less interesting.

When I write short stories, I always think about writing something that takes place over a short amount of time. I focus on dialogue a great deal; I think short stories are wonderful places for dialogue to shine. And if I find that I'm starting to write too much exposition like, "And this carried on for the next three weeks," then I try to rein in the time frame some.

I hope this helps.

I agree with agilebrit's advice that limiting characters and limiting conflict is also a good way to contain a story.

[lunabee34]

Also, I meant to reply to the top post. :) Not ignoring you, OP.

[inkdust]

That seems like a good way to go about it. Funny enough I'm pretty good with personal narrative essay types, focusing on a single moment, and I'm pretty good running with flash fiction prompts, but I feel stuck at either 1-2 pages or 300.

[lunabee34]

My main issue is sustaining plot. Most of what I write in any genre falls between the 2500-7000 word range. This works great for the personal essay, the academic article, and fanfic--not so much for that novel it would be awesome I could write. LOL I just don't think I have a novel in me. Maybe a collection of short stories or personal essays but not a novel. Which deeply saddens me.

[sarillia]

If you ever want to try to flesh out an idea into a novel I could try to help. I'm good at following through the implications of previous events and coming up with ways that various characters can react and intersect and complicate things further.

[lunabee34]

You are so sweet. Thank you. :)

I can barely find time to breathe right now LOL so that's far away on the agenda for me if ever, but I will hit you up should that change.

[inkdust]

That could be. But you never know - the right idea might come along. The length is definitely daunting. I do okay with long-range plot points, but building the in-between parts is always tough. Pacing, arc. I don't think I'll ever get rid of the fear of it being too much to handle.

[lunabee34]

I struggle with all that stuff too. Maybe we'll surprise ourselves one day. :)

[sarillia]

This makes sense and I think I can manage it. Thanks.

[lunabee34]

No problem!