 Short Stories: July 02, 2008 Issue [#2476] |
  Short Stories
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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Last month's issue covered a few truths concerning what a short story is. I said I would begin a series on writing tips for short stories. This month's topic is starting a short story.
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Getting Started with a Short Story
The first paragraph of your story --
"Wait!" you say. "How can I worry about a first paragraph when I don't know where to start - period."
Then let's start with starting. According to Bruce Taylor, Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, "If you are having trouble getting started, look out the window. The whole world is a story, and every moment is a miracle."
When you're looking out that window, job down what you see, what you hear, what you smell, what you feel. Yes, make lists.
Don't stop to organize your thoughts or write sentences or paragraphs, just list character traits you observe or hear, ideas for plots, dialogue overheard, emotional actions and reactions.
Your list or lists will be the hub for at least one story once you change the words around. In "10 Tips for Novice Creative Writers" (D.G. Jerz and Kathy Kennedy), changing words around is a lot easier than moving complete sentences and paragraphs.
Once you have an idea for the story, developed from your first list or lists, then you're ready to develop the events, the plot. If you aren't sure where the conflict comes in or what conflict to use, think about conflicts, problems, in your own life or in the lives of others around you. Write a progression of the events in one of those problem or unusual periods.
We'll discuss developing characters in more detail next month, but to start, make a list of characters you might use, and then for each name list characteristics you might use for that person (or animal or thing). Remember, just list for now.
One thing is a must for anyone who wants to write: Read, read, read. Read short stories by good writers. Read more short stories by good writers. Read even more short stories by good writers.
Reading stories by not-so-good writers should teach you what not to do, but reading the works of writers who know what they are doing gives you guidance in what to do correctly.
Next month, we'll talk about developing characters.
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Short Stories from W.Com
D.L. Fields 
Thanks for the help. I'm writing a fanfiction short story now and try not to get lost in the details; and that's tough because I like to make the reader feel like they're there.
The trick is to give enough detail without giving too much. In a short story, any details must add to the plot - move it forward - or to the characters.
museitupeditor
One of the best ways to learn how to cut down on excess 'word' baggage is by writing flash fiction. Writing a complete story under 1,000 words will teach you how to pick and choose your words carefully for a full dramatic and powerful sentence.
Good advice, Lea. Oh, and I'm glad to see you here.
The next three notes thank me for doing my job -- I like that 
dejavu_BIG computerprobs
Great newsletter Viv, and congratulations on your book! I'm definitely looking forward to your next newsletters and the topics that will be covered. I'm certain they'll help many of us improve our short stories. dejavu
SmokeyMtn
Helpful professional advice. Very good newsletter. I look forward to the next one.
Fallser
Dear Viv,
Thanks for the short and to the point tips on short story writing! I appreciate the reminder to get right into the story and not drift around too much. Stay close to the core of the story, I guess.
I also thought the WDC items you included all looked interesting, and I look forward to reading them.
Congratulations on the book!
Margaret
Thank you for letting me know that what I write helps. I hope this issue gave tips that will aid your writing, too.
The next two posts talk about what detail is needed or how to address a reviewer's desire for more detail in a short story.
Zeke 
While short stories should be short by definition, in my opinion, they should not forget that the reader has no way of filling in some background details. Reviews asking for more should be very specific, not just a general statement that more detail is required.
Only my humble opinion.
bazilbob
I'm a little confused Blush Does that mean that if a reader asks for more detail in a short story, either through a review or otherwise, that they're wrong and you should just ignore them? Or does it depend on the detail they want? If so, which should we add for them and which should we choose not to?
Thanks
Louise
If a reviewer just wants more detail and doesn't give a valid reason or explain why or what, then he/she probably doesn't know.
Any detail, as I've stated before and have others, must move the plot forward or build characterization. If the detail doesn't add a needed element to a short story, then it doesn't belong.
Please join me next month when we discuss character development in a short story.
Viv
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