Home
>
Writing
>
14 Tips On Writing The Short-Short Story

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/

no-contract cleaning service Des Plaines ..

In The News:

A 2025 data breach at fintech company 700Credit exposes personal information of more than 5.8 million people through compromised third-party integration partner.

Retailers lose $76.5 billion annually to return fraud as nearly 10% of U.S. retail returns involve fraudulent activity, with $850 billion in returns expected in 2025.

ShinyHunters claims responsibility for stealing 94GB of Pornhub user data affecting over 200 million records and demands Bitcoin ransom.

ChatGPT 2025 now connects to Apple Music, Canva, Expedia, TripAdvisor and OpenTable through built-in apps that help users create playlists, design graphics and more.

Apple releases emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited in attacks. iPhone and iPad users urged to update immediately.

DoorDash launches Zesty, an AI-powered social app that recommends restaurants through conversational search, now testing in San Francisco and New York.

Cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals that over 90 percent of parked domains now redirect visitors to scams and malware, making simple typos extremely dangerous.

The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

GPT-5.2 is now live for all ChatGPT users with improved coding, writing and image interpretation, with Kurt Knutsson offering his review.

New iPhone replacement scam uses pressure tactics and fake carrier calls to steal devices from buyers. Criminals claim shipping errors and demand urgent returns.

Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature sparks privacy controversy as Electronic Frontier Foundation critics argue the AI upgrade expands surveillance risks.

New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.

Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.

Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.

New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.

The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.

San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.

FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.

Instagram's new 'Your Algorithm' tool lets you control your Reels feed in real time. The app now gives you power to customize what videos you see.

Major Marquis fintech breach exposes 400,000-plus Americans' data through unpatched SonicWall vulnerability, with Texas hardest hit at 354,000 affected.

Free up iPhone storage fast by clearing large photos and videos from Messages app. Simple steps for iOS users to delete attachments without losing chats.

Scammers are flooding inboxes with fake tracking alerts that mimic real carriers, exploiting the holiday rush to steal logins and personal data.

The Fox News AI Newsletter brings you the latest news on AI technology advancements and the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Texas family reunites with missing 11-year-old cat Grayson after 103 days using Petco Love Lost's AI photo matching technology and community help.

Tired of AI customer service loops? These insider tricks help you escape "frustration AI" and get real human help when you need it most for urgent issues.