ShortStories.co.ukHow to Write Short Stories
If you feel that you have the talent to make a go of writing short stories then you may need a little more information about how to go about actually creating a short story in the first place.
For some people, the urge to write is simply enough - they don’t mind if their short stories are published or not and it’s the actual writing that makes them happy. But, some people want to write short stories with a view to having them published either in a collection or in a magazine. So, what are the best tips on how to write short stories?
1. Know WHY you are writing
If you are just writing for pleasure then this probably won’t apply to you so much. But, if you want to have short stories published in a magazine, for example, then you do have access to specific guidelines that could have a bearing on the short story you write. The reason behind your decision to write a short story is important as it can affect the story that you write.
2. Know WHAT you are writing
Many experts recommend that you need to write about something you know about to craft a really good short story but this isn’t always the case. A good writer can often turn their hand to any subject. In general (and very simple!) terms a short story should have:
- A simple flow of events (i.e. a beginning, a middle and an end!).
- A few characters (put in too many and you’ll end up writing a book!).
- A clear and natural writing style that readers can follow (if you don’t grab their attention quick then they won’t read it!).
3. Know WHO you are writing for
If you want to have a short story published then take some time to think about where it will appear. If, for example, you want to write a romance story for a women’s magazine then check out a few magazines and find out what their story submission guidelines are. The best short story in the world won’t even get read by an editor if you don’t present it in the way they ask you to.
Finally, the final two tips on how to write short stories are to make sure that the short story you write is checked for spelling and grammar. Then, read it out loud to yourself to see how it flows and/or have someone else read it and ask them what they think!