How to write a short story?

by T. O. Bührer
6th February 2012

Hello W&A Community! Today I woke up wishing to learn something new. And then I realize: I should write a short story. I hear lot about this here, at W&A's Community section. I've never created one. But there's a problem: I don't even know how to start one! Are there any good tips to begin writing short stories? I'm good at novels - but a complete newbie at this.

Replies

Liz at the top of the page mentioned a beginning, a middle and an end. And, as another writer said, not necessarily in that order . . .

Profile picture for user tullaske_11306
Thomas
Deegan
270 points
Developing your craft
Thomas Deegan
10/02/2012

I read somewhere that a short story should start at the critical part of your story - something dramatic, a problem to resolve. Then the back story and then resolve your problem. I also read that at the end of any fiction, something had to have changed. I vary things. Sometimes come in in the middle, fill the reader in on the back story and then resolve the situation at the end. I've never submitted a short story, I might add. Good luck

Profile picture for user fran@fra_20200
Fran
Clark
270 points
Practical publishing
Short stories
Fiction
Fran Clark
08/02/2012

Some really good advice on here.

I was thinking about writing a series of short stories as a side project to coincide with my novel based on one of my characters who becomes the mentor to my main character.

Profile picture for user antglenn
Anthony Scott
Glenn
330 points
Developing your craft
Short stories
Fiction
Business, Management and Education
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Comic
Speculative Fiction
Adventure
Historical
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Anthony Scott Glenn
07/02/2012