| Writing a short story is quite different than writing | | | | a smorgasbord of trivialities that you don't want. |
| a novel. There is the time factor and word usage | | | | 5. THE SENSES |
| to take into consideration. It takes discipline to | | | | Keep your short story alive and vibrant by using |
| keep your short story brimming with exciting life | | | | the five senses - sight, sound, smell, taste and |
| experiences in as few words as possible. Here are | | | | touch. The five senses add depth to your short |
| five key steps in writing your short story. | | | | story. You will see your images more clearly. A |
| 1. THEME | | | | character or a setting once flat now speaks to |
| The theme is your supporting structure in your | | | | the reader and becomes real. Here are some |
| short story. The theme is what you glue your | | | | examples from one of my writing lessons of a |
| plot, your characters, and your setting to. It is the | | | | few years ago: |
| foundation that holds your story together. The | | | | - As the old man pressed the canteen to his |
| conflict and how it gets resolved wraps itself | | | | blistered lips, he savored the last drops of the |
| around the theme of your story. | | | | precious liquid, and felt the wonderful wetness |
| 2. PLOT | | | | trickle down his parched throat. (Taste) |
| The plot is the introduction and the series of | | | | - She wondered if her eyes were not deceiving |
| events that happens throughout your short story. | | | | her as she caught a glimpse of a shiny, round |
| It is action and suspense. It is the romance and | | | | object glimmering on the sidewalk. (Sight) |
| emotion. The plot involves some type of conflict | | | | - The stench of human waste and cheap wine |
| that needs to be resolved. Your plot has a | | | | filtered through wet air as she pushed her cart |
| beginning, middle, and an ending. A good story | | | | past poor old souls taking refuge in the shelter of |
| needs a hook in the beginning to draw your | | | | cardboard boxes. (Smell) |
| reader in and keep him turning the page. Then of | | | | - Long buried pain began to surface as she |
| course, always remember to save the best for | | | | recalled how she watched her beloved, Teddy, |
| last--the surprise twist ending to leave your | | | | suffer till the end. (Feel) |
| reader satisfied. | | | | - The train swayed gently and the click, clack of |
| 3. CHARACTERS | | | | the rails rendered a soothing timbre, lulling Tyler |
| It is important not to crowd your short story | | | | into a deep, peaceful sleep. (Sound) Notice how |
| with too many characters. Use two, perhaps | | | | each one of the above conditions drew you in and |
| three characters, at the most. Most of your story | | | | made you want to know more about the |
| will surround an important event that proves | | | | character or the setting. That's the key to using |
| crucial in the life of your protagonist. Every word | | | | the five senses. |
| counts. Too much characterization and description | | | | The five steps should help you get started. Once |
| can debase the affect of your story. | | | | you've written your short story, go back through |
| 4. STICK TO THE POINT | | | | and delete unnecessary words or paragraphs that |
| Stick to the theme of your story. Make sure you | | | | do not contribute to the theme or plot. Short |
| don't overpopulate with unnecessary detail. Follow | | | | stories have rhythm-make every word count. |
| the narrow path of your theme. If you must | | | | Most of all have fun while you write your short |
| digress, make it short, otherwise you will lose | | | | story. |
| track of your purpose and get bogged down with | | | | |