I would add one more recommendation to your excellent list of short story writing: a short time frame. A day. A few hours. It seems common sense, but I read some short stories that stretched into weeks. As a rule, they didn't work.
Oh, distractions. They are my downfall, my secret weapon and my closet chocolate-stash addiction. I have ADD so I have to be very, very careful about "side quests" but I've found that if I sometimes allow those derailments, I'll find my way back to my story in a way that I never would have considered. It's a circumnavigation to be sure, but I take notes on the sights along the way!
Thanks for the tips on writing short stories.I love the challenge of creating it using such a small number of words. When I had a difficult time in the middle of the novel, I put it away for the summer and wrote a ton of short stories. Most I would not share! But it helped me to get back to the novel with a different perspective on the story.
Great tips on creating short stories. That's what I do as well. Every word must pull its weight. No fluff permitted. And yes. I'm more distracted when things aren't going well for my story. I usually need a break. I just hope it's not the whole day! Thanks for a great post!
Lately, I have been loving short stories. I've been writing a lot and reading a lot. They're bite-sized and don't take a lot out of me like a novel would and given I'm a bit short on energy lately, if I want to read, short fiction is my best option.
LOL. But you've gotta jump on the killer deal, right??
I like your tips for short stories. I joke with my critique group because I'm known for my massively long epics, but I have more short work published than long.
The ringer on my phone is always off. It's been that way for so long that it's now stuck in that position. And if I need to discourage interruptions, I close my browser. It's amazing what a difference that makes!
Your experience with novel writing reflects real life. There were times that my life turned on a dime, and I often wonder what would have happened if I had chosen a different table or not gotten on that bus or, or, or. Happy creating in May, Lee!
I love flash fiction and short stories, and any kind of writing format that allows me to write the story I want to write. I enter the world of my characters, and I turn off everything.
The thing I found most fascinating is that pacing between the two types of writing are so different. I think we have to use a different part of our brain for those! 😁
Well, we certainly have to look at the whole structure of storytelling differently. Maybe there's a compartment for the long, the short, and the haiku.
I am not certain how my comment here will take - but here goes.
I love short stories. They give no room for waffle and every word needs to be considered.
And, as always, thank you to those who craft them and educate and delight me.
Hey! So good to hear from you. Thanks for hunting me down at my new place
I would add one more recommendation to your excellent list of short story writing: a short time frame. A day. A few hours. It seems common sense, but I read some short stories that stretched into weeks. As a rule, they didn't work.
You're right. A concise time frame is an important element.
I particularly like keep the number of characters small. I tend to get lost if there're too many.
Well said, Lee. We are so lucky to be writers/authors/novelists. Thanks for sharing.
Great to read your comment, Joylene. And I agree. We are very lucky.
Oh, distractions. They are my downfall, my secret weapon and my closet chocolate-stash addiction. I have ADD so I have to be very, very careful about "side quests" but I've found that if I sometimes allow those derailments, I'll find my way back to my story in a way that I never would have considered. It's a circumnavigation to be sure, but I take notes on the sights along the way!
Thanks for the tips on writing short stories.I love the challenge of creating it using such a small number of words. When I had a difficult time in the middle of the novel, I put it away for the summer and wrote a ton of short stories. Most I would not share! But it helped me to get back to the novel with a different perspective on the story.
Great tips on creating short stories. That's what I do as well. Every word must pull its weight. No fluff permitted. And yes. I'm more distracted when things aren't going well for my story. I usually need a break. I just hope it's not the whole day! Thanks for a great post!
Lately, I have been loving short stories. I've been writing a lot and reading a lot. They're bite-sized and don't take a lot out of me like a novel would and given I'm a bit short on energy lately, if I want to read, short fiction is my best option.
I've never tried writing a short story, but maybe I could following your tips.
LOL. But you've gotta jump on the killer deal, right??
I like your tips for short stories. I joke with my critique group because I'm known for my massively long epics, but I have more short work published than long.
I really should silence my phone too!!
The ringer on my phone is always off. It's been that way for so long that it's now stuck in that position. And if I need to discourage interruptions, I close my browser. It's amazing what a difference that makes!
Your experience with novel writing reflects real life. There were times that my life turned on a dime, and I often wonder what would have happened if I had chosen a different table or not gotten on that bus or, or, or. Happy creating in May, Lee!
It's all those "what ifs" that keep me awake at night.
Hi,
I love flash fiction and short stories, and any kind of writing format that allows me to write the story I want to write. I enter the world of my characters, and I turn off everything.
Shalom shalom
Turning off everything is the key!
You have some deep ponderings about where your story could've gone!
Oh, well. It turned out the way it turned out, and there's no going back to change it.
The thing I found most fascinating is that pacing between the two types of writing are so different. I think we have to use a different part of our brain for those! 😁
Well, we certainly have to look at the whole structure of storytelling differently. Maybe there's a compartment for the long, the short, and the haiku.