Writing short stories may seem simple. But nothing could be further from the truth, since you have to take into account, first of all, the limitations of this genre. You have to condense a great story into a specific number of pages, without leaving anything out and without forgetting the structure.
What does a winning short story look like?
The first characteristic of a winning short story is a plot that grips the reader from beginning to end. Even if it is shorter than a novel, this does not mean that it should not present a plot that captures the audience’s attention.
Just like in any other literary genre, practice makes perfect. The more you write, the more you’ll learn to adjust to the limitations of the short story and use language that will captivate readers. The following is also a decalogue that you can follow if you are thinking of entering a literary contest of this type.
1.- Choosing the type of short story
There is a wide variety of subgenres within the short story and, of course, contests dedicated to them. From humor to eroticism, there is a wide range. Although you can try your luck with all of them, we recommend that you choose the one that best suits your style as an author and go for it.
2.- Think about the theme of the micro-story you want to write about
Choosing the subgenre you are going to write the short story about is only the first step, after that, you will have to decide the theme: what is the plot going to be, what is it going to be about, who will be the main characters, what is their motivation? In this way, we could even find a detective story with a dose of humor, or go for a romantic plot with terrifying elements.
3.- How to plan the structure of the short story
Do you know what a literary storyboard is? If not, you should start to discover it because thanks to this tool you will be able to plan the structure of your short story. It’s always better to come up with an outline than to go crazy and that has great results later on.
Using a certain writing template, first of all, you will avoid digressions and the creation of parallel lines that take you away from the central theme. Remember that one of the essences of the short story is its concreteness. Don’t beat around the bush and plan every step you take.
4.- Think about what will engage your readers.
How easy it would be to have the recipe for success! Knowing what hooks your readers, although this cannot be achieved overnight, it is possible to apply techniques to attract their attention. The first, and simplest, is to offer an enigma for them to think about. What will be hidden behind it? It doesn’t have to be a murder, it can be many other plot points such as an impossible romance, or an unexpected journey to uncover a mystery.
Another good idea is to evoke the context in which your short story takes place. A description of the scene will make it easier for the reader to become immersed in the story, long live synesthesia!
5.- Time to write and put it down on paper
The most difficult part of the short story genre is writing it, since this means adapting to a smaller space. To do this you must be precise, every word is important and must be as accurate as possible. Avoid extravagances and be concrete. But do not overdo it and end up with a story with no head or tail. That’s where you can use a writing app like LivingWriter, that helps you from the very start till you complete the book writing process.
In this sense, as we said before, having a structure and script to follow will help you to know how much you are going to invest in each part and how you are going to do it.
6.- Think of an unforgettable ending for your short story.
The ending is the farewell letter, it is what remains (besides the plot). But an unforgettable ending is fundamental, especially after the tension generated by a short story where, in a brief way, an intense story is lived. Do you know that there are authors who even start with this part?
A good technique is that, once you have decided on the plot, you bet on a shocking ending and then develop the whole plot from this point by imagining the various events that have happened until the conclusion is reached.
