Writer's Relief's video: Writer s Relief Cafe Q A: How to Write A Kick A Short Story

Welcome to our Writer’s Relief Café Live Q& A Event: How To Write A Kick-A** Short Story Do people still read still read short stories much anymore? Here at Writer’s Relief (WritersRelief.com), we know that they do! Hundreds of literary journals can attest to that! People’s attention spans are shorter now and read on mobile devices. Finish in a single sitting on their commute, waiting at doctor’s office (pre-quarantine). We’re going to start with some basics that a great short story needs, and what will make your short story more likely to appeal to literary editors and boost your odds of getting published. What Every Short Story Needs To Be Great • Character, Setting, Conflict, Plot and Theme: 5 basic elements • Best length is 3,500 words on average. Shorter the better – attention spans are shorter now that people read on their mobile devices. Shorter stories have better odds of getting published. • The BUT of the story. The character wants X but Y happens instead. The ‘but’ is the pivot point. A novel might have lots of turning points, a short story typically has just the one. • Dialogue to bring your story to life • Unique perspective on something ordinary Things You Can Do to Improve Your Short Story Writing Skills • READ! Read short stories by successful authors • Use writing prompts: https://writersrelief.com/2019/06/13/12-short-story-writing-prompts-that-will-get-you-writing-fast-writers-relief/ • Freewriting: https://writersrelief.com/2015/08/19/freewriting-tips/ Beginning: Start Off With A Bang • A great first line. Write a great first line that grabs attention. Story should start from the first word. • Don’t go into setting details. Don’t spend too much time setting the scene. Long scenery descriptions do not keep attention and use up word count • Start with action, pull the reader right in. Good example of dropping in right in the middle of the action • Well-known first lines: It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. From Orwell’s 1984. See more here: https://writersrelief.com/2016/01/07/write-great-first-line/ Middle: Avoid The Sag: https://writersrelief.com/2013/07/19/sagging-middle-syndrome-plot-devices/ • Tighten up the story. Keep the reader’s interest. Cut all non-essential details out of the story. Character loses something • Add romantic tension • Betray your main character: adds conflict, builds interest Ending: Make Or Break It: https://writersrelief.com/2018/06/07/9-ideas-for-short-story-endings-how-to-get-from-here-to-there-writers-relief/ • Ending your story with a distinct choice or action • Failure to take action • Kill someone. Just be careful your audience doesn’t feel cheated aka Game of Thrones • Twist ending. But well-crafted surprise endings • Famous last words: “After all, tomorrow is another day.” From Gone With The Win Once you’ve written our kick-ass short story, you’ll want to get it into the hands of the right literary editors to boost your odds of getting published in a literary journal. That’s where Writer’s Relief can help! We research and target the best markets for your writing to boost your odds of getting published. Right now, our Review Board is open and we’re accepting clients. Not just short stories, but poetry, personal essays, novels and memoirs too! Visit our website and Submit to our Review Board. http://writersrelief.com/review_board/. Visit the Writer’s Relief website for many free writer resources. Writer’s Relief helps writers of short stories, poems, and personal essays submit to literary magazines. Writer’s Relief also helps novelists, memoirists, and other book authors submit to literary agencies for representation. We also help writers self-publish their books. Self-Publishing Relief can help guide you from completed manuscript to finished book. Self-Publishing Relief also offers marketing support for writers. Learn more here: http://selfpublishingrelief.com/ Call Writer's Relief today! (866) 405-3003 (toll-free)