How to Write a Short Story

Instructions

o 1
Choose a narrative point of view. You can write your story as if you were one of the
characters (first person), as a detached narrator who presents just one character's
thoughts and observations (third-person limited), or as a detached narrator who
presents the thoughts and observations of several characters (third-person omniscient).
A first-person point of view will refer to the central character as 'I' instead of 'he' or 'she.'

o 2
Create a protagonist, or main character. This should be the most developed and usually
the most sympathetic character in your story.

o 3
Create a problem, or conflict, for your protagonist. The conflict of your story should take
one of five basic forms: person vs. person, person vs. himself or herself, person vs.
nature, person vs. society, or person vs. God or fate. If you choose a person vs. person
conflict, create an antagonist to serve as the person your protagonist must contend with.
 o 4
Establish believable characters and settings, with vivid descriptions and dialogue, to
create a story that your readers will care about.

o 5
Build the story's tension by having the protagonist make several failed attempts to solve
or overcome the problem. (You may want to skip this step for shorter stories.)

o 6
Create a crisis that serves as the last chance for the protagonist to solve his or her
problem.

o 7
Resolve the tension by having the protagonist succeed through his or her own
intelligence, creativity, courage or other positive attributes. This is usually referred to as
the story's climax.

o 8
Extend this resolution phase, if you like, by reflecting on the action of the story and its
significance to the characters or society.

Tips & Warnings

 There are many possible variations of this model, all
of which allow for perfectly good short stories.
 Keep your diction concise, specific and active. For
example, say "Steve ate the apple" instead of "The
fruit was eaten by someone."
 How to Write a Short Story Quickly

Writing a short story quickly offers a challenge to writers, since the author has to write based on a snap
idea. Often, having time restraints make it so that the author doesn't have the ability to edit and re-
write, which can be time consuming and frustrating. If a story has to be written quickly, the author
should focus on developing a character, plot, a conflict and a resolution. According to the website Write
101, writers should identify the situation, present a misunderstanding or issue, and then end the story
with a resolution. A point to note is that a resolution or conflict don't necessarily have to be bad. A
resolution can be a character's death, while a conflict can be falling in love. These are simply major
points within a story that help move the plot forward. A short story should be between 1000 and 7500
words, according to Writing World.

Instructions

o 1

Make mental notes about your story ideas.

Brainstorm for a few moments. Think about what sort of story you want to write: mystery,
romance, horror, metaphorical, science-fiction tale or other kind. Imagine an interesting
plot-line. A short story often reveals a plot that takes place over a few hours or minutes.
However, a short story can also tell of a plot that takes place over many years, as it
describes the actions of the story over time by looking back or summarizing. Make some
mental notes about plot ideas and general settings. Think of the time period, location
(city, country, outer-space) and setting (house, garden, various memories of settings).
Think of what the general story is about, any problems that may arise and the story's
resolution or ending.
o 2

Create identifiable characters.

Identify your characters. Writing a short story quickly may not allow for the introduction
for many characters, so think of one or two that will guide the story. Think of who they
are as people, what they want from the world, where they came from, and what they're
doing in the story. Make each character distinctive so that they can be identified by the
reader. According to author Anne Lamott's instructional writing book "Bird by Bird," plots
are often carried by characters. An otherwise simple or bland storyline can be made
interesting with a character whose personality is defined clearly. Readers connect with
characters when they are intrigued by or sympathetic to their behaviors. If a character is
designed to want or feel certain things, it can have an impact on the what direction the
plot takes.

o 3

Write what comes to your mind quickly.

Write the story quickly by creating an opening setting, a possible conflict or point of
interest and a resolution. Do not rehash plot points in your head; follow your instincts for
storytelling in the moment so that you can complete the story quickly. You can open with
a description of the setting or the character's thought.

o 4

Let your characters guide your plot.

Continue writing. Introduce your characters and reveal a major plot point. Write about
how the characters react to this plot movement. See where this takes you. Rely on your
instinct and understanding of your character to develop the plot as it goes. Keep in mind
your setting, location and character qualities so that the story is consistent. Do not
mention in the beginning that it is night only to later mention "the sun was shining."