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 Glenview ..

In The News:

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.

Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.