A
short story is a work of fiction. It is a product of the author’s imagination.
Every short story has a beginning, a middle part and an ending.
Development of a
short story requires careful thought and planning. Not every writer employs the
same techniques in writing a short story. Some start with the plot and then
create the characters. Others start by creating characters and then allow them
to interact. From this interaction, the plot takes shape. Here are a few tips
for writing a short story. Note that these are not meant for a seasoned writer
who has already mastered the art of story-telling. Nonetheless, a beginner with
little or no experience in writing a short story should find these tips
helpful.
Step 1: determine the plot
The
theme is what the story is about. A theme sometimes conveys a moral. If you
have read the Aesop’s Fables you should know what I mean. All of those stories
have a message. Some stories are written just for the purpose of conveying a
message. The message could be any of the following:
The victory of
virtue over vice
Sportsman spirit:
It is not about winning; it is about how you play the game
The righteous may
have to face huge hardships
Honesty is the
best policy
You don’t really
have to state the message at the end of the story. As the story develops and
ends the reader should be able to comprehend the message.
Step 2: outline the plot
Every
story requires a plot. Actually, the story develops from the plot. You can
indicate the plot in the opening lines and then develop it gradually. As the
plot unfolds characters will appear on the scene and start interacting with one
another.
Complications
and conflicts
These
are an integral part of the plot. Complications and conflicts don’t have to be
really complicated. Minor complications will do just fine – it depends upon the
plot. Think about events that lead to the conflict. What are the problems that
the characters encounter? You can develop complications and conflicts out of
the interactions of the characters. Sometimes, destiny can play a role in
making your characters’ life complicated.
Develop
the crisis
What
are the results of the conflict? How do they lead to additional, more
complicated conflicts? The conflict or complications should lead to what is
called the ‘rising action’. The rising action will create more complications
and tension and will raise the story up to the crisis. The crisis is the
turning point. It leads to the climax. The climax is the highest point of
interest.
Bring
the story to an end
Once
you have reached the climax, you can’t climb any higher. The conflict and
crisis needs to be resolved in the climax. Think about the outcome of the
events that lead to the climax. Do these events change the characters or the
way they interact with others? Do they learn any lessons? Once the conflict and
crisis are resolved the story comes to an end. This final outcome is called the
denouement.
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share this with others if you feel it is helpful.
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