There’s nothing quite like writing a short story. It can be a truly satisfying creative process. Challenging, but satisfying. So if you’re ready to take a stab at it, here’s a quick overview of the process.

1. Brainstorming

Try a mindmap or an outline format or whatever approach you find comfortable. Here are the things you’ll want to explore: who is the story about? Why that character and not some other character? What happens in the story? What’s the point of the story? What changes and why does it change? Do you have a solid ending in mind?

2. Write from a Specific Point of View

First person: “I”

Second person: “You” (rarely used)

Third person: “She/He” (Used the majority of time but in a “limited” way) Limited simply means that the story is generally told through the eyes of a particular character.

3. Starting Your Story

Your story should begin in such a way that it grabs the reader’s attention and never lets the reader go. Some ways to begin: Sound Effects, for example: Splash! Pop! Another way to begin is with dialogue, that is, two or more characters having a conversation. Using action is also another way to start. Whatever you choose, you must do it in a way that draws the reader in from the very beginning. If you fail to do this, no matter how good your story gets down the road, it won’t matter, because you’ll have already lost your audience.

4. Setting

Place your characters in a setting. This is where you are to use descriptive words that let your readers see, hear and even smell the setting. The setting establishes the time and place in which the story takes place. Give your readers a snapshot view of the environment so that they can see it in their mind’s eye and feel as if they are really there.

5. Characters

Characters are the life blood of fiction. For a short story, you’ll want to limit the number of characters. One to five is about the limit. Here are some character types to keep in mind:

• Main Character (Protagonist): All the action revolves around this person.
• Villain (Antagonist): This person or persons oppose the main character at every turn. Villains can also become allies of the main character down the road. People change in real life as well as in stories.
• Friends (Sidekicks): This person or persons helps the main character.

6. Conflict

Conflict is the backbone of story. No conflict, no story. It’s that simple. Conflict can arise within a character, with other people or even with nature. The needs of characters are what drives them into action. Conflict is created when obstacles are put in the way of the characters. Here are some types of conflict that can arise in a story:

• The main character vs. others
• The main character vs. his /her own inner self
• The main character vs. situations he/she faces in life
• The main character vs. society

7. Dialogue

Finally let’s take a look at the purpose and use of dialogue. Dialogue is used in conversation between your characters. The characters may also have dialogue with themselves. Good dialogue tells the reader something about the characters state of mind or personality. It should be surrounded by action and move the story along. So make every conversation count!

Related posts:

1. Writing In Short Bursts
2. Today’s Romance Heroine
3. Basic Elements of A Romance Novel
4. The Three-Act Structure
5. Top Five Fiction Writing Tips