14 Tips On Writing The Short-Short Story

The short-short story has been likened by some as being closer to writing a poem than a story. And that makes sense-every word has to be packed with power; every line has to move the story along.

The Writing For Success short story competition requires you to write a very short story-the word limit is just 900 words. Here are some tips to help you make every word count.

  • The opening paragraph is the most important one in a short story. Use it to hook your readers and draw them into the ongoing drama of your story.

  • In the opening lines, you have to do the following:

    • Set the scene

    • Introduce the main character

    • Reveal the main character's mood, approximate age, his/her goal or problem

    • Show that something interesting is about to happen

  • Begin with a character and let this person take you where they want to go-then when the story is written, edit, shape and tighten your prose.

  • Decide whose story this is. Choose one viewpoint and stick to it.

  • Don't force your characters to speak words that sound out of character or engage in actions that don't suit their personality.

  • Avoid detailed descriptions of setting - give the reader a quick 'snapshot'. A few powerful words or phrases can do a lot of work.

  • Use the same approach to describe the character's appearance. Choose words that trigger the reader's imagination and let him/her fill in the gaps - e.g. "She had a loose-limbed, healthy outdoor look about her".

  • Try to avoid plots that hinge on a coincidence or a misunderstanding that could be cleared up if the characters would just talk to each other. (You have to be a very good writer to pull this off so the reader is satisfied.)

  • Very short stories are a bit like jokes: they build up to a twist or a punchline. The difficult part is playing fair with the reader in having all the clues there, without making the outcome too obvious.

  • Show that your character has grown or changed in some way-she has a new understanding of people or of herself; she has learned a lesson; she has changed her attitude. NOTE: If your character 'comes to realise' something important, make sure she comes to this realization through a strong piece of action or a powerful lesson-not through a weak, "Oh, my goodness, I never thought of it that way before - silly me!"

  • Appeal to your reader's emotions. We all identify with loss, sorrow, disappointment, frustration - make sure that emotions are powerful elements in your story.

  • Make every word of dialogue count - avoid aimless 'how are you today?' type exchanges; let actions take the place of words on occasions. And remember there's no need to TELL as well as SHOW - for example, if you write "Marcia was really angry at his words. Her face grew scarlet with rage as she yelled, "I can't believe you said that! Get out of here!' then you've wasted ten words. You could simply have said: Marcia's face grew scarlet with rage. "I can't believe you said that! Get out of here!"

  • When it's time to edit, remember that every word has to move the story forward. Yes, I know I've already said that - but it's worth saying a hundred times, because one of the hardest things a writer can do is cut words. You have to be tough. Cut out whatever is unnecessary; poorly expressed; overly detailed. In a very short story, it's more likely to be what you've cut out that sells your work than what you've left in.

  • STUDY YOUR MARKET. This seems painfully obvious, but so many writers just can't be bothered. It makes sense to study your target market. There are a number of magazines that publish the short-short story of around 900 words - read as many as you can! (C) Copyright Marg McAlister

    Marg McAlister has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers' tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Publish Your Novel on the First Try

    Rejection. This scary word plagues virtually every writer this side... Read More

    How To Write Cover Letters That Work

    Sometimes there is confusion about the exact meaning of the... Read More

    Writing Is Not Life-threatening

    Some writers complain that writing is arduous work requiring long... Read More

    Strategies For Finding Topics To Write About

    What possibly could I have to write about? I never... Read More

    Mind Mapping Your Journal Entries

    Clustering, also called Mind Mapping, is a great way to... Read More

    Why Should You Use Worksheets For Proofreading?

    Proofreading worksheets are a great tool to help individuals open... Read More

    Hey Cient, this is Me! Find Your Writing Voice and Sell Yourself

    In a crowded market, clients will be seeking personality as... Read More

    Creative Writing Tips - Have You Established Your Main Character At The Start?

    In the beginning of your story you have to grab... Read More

    Book Publishing Contracts For Writers: What Should I Look Out For?

    Dave, I just got a contract for a book... Read More

    Kick-Start your Juices

    Listen, consider this scenario.You have a deadline to honour. Time... Read More

    Self-Examination

    Self-examination sheds light on a writers motives, goals, and aspirations,... Read More

    Are You a Freelance Writer? - Then You Need a Website

    As a freelance writer, it is important to present yourself... Read More

    Dont Get Burned: Evaluating Script Writing Contests

    Hundreds of writing contests tempt screenwriters with the lure of... Read More

    Inspiring the Poet in You!

    Poems. Just the mention of them makes me smile. Why?... Read More

    Editing Secrets

    Once you've plotted out your book, developed the characters and... Read More

    Know Your Editing Choices

    Each author has special editing needs. To save yourself time... Read More

    Im Just The Writer

    Writers are often are greatly surprised or disappointed by how... Read More

    8 Great Journaling Tips

    Mix a martini, don't forget the olives, or pour yourself... Read More

    The Bottomless Notebook

    Reading through a writer's notebook or journal is like discovering... Read More

    Multiplying Sales As A Writer

    Often, time is an enemy of writers. Sales seem slow... Read More

    Need a Book Coach, Ghost Writer, or Editor? Part 1

    If you either want to write a book to help... Read More

    Business Writing: 10 Great Authors

    Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More

    Do You Plot With Your Character In Mind?

    Creative Writing Tips ?You are plotting the story. You write... Read More

    A Single Technique

    Writing is hard work, and like all hard work, one... Read More

    Good Writing

    Good writing is like sex. Two people are involved ?... Read More

    Seven Compelling Reasons to Get Your Name on a Book Cover

    Have you ever considered writing a book? If so, maybe... Read More

    Writing Made Them Rich #3: Richard Bach

    One day in the mid-1970's a young man stumbled into... Read More

    Writing Made Them Rich #4: Paulo Coelho

    Paulo Coelho was born on August 24th 1947 in Rio... Read More

    How To Write A Newsletter

    In order to be successful with a newsletter, specialize in... Read More

    Writing Short Info Reports

    People want information, they want it quick, frequently in short... Read More

    Generating Nonfiction Book Titles Without a Hassle

    The process of developing a working title for your nonfiction... Read More

    Recommendation Letters Demystified

    There is a lot of confusion about recommendation letters.Recommendation letters... Read More

    Put a Spin on Your Idea!

    Eight or nine times out of ten, picking up and... Read More