Any advice or tips on how to write a short story (fiction)?

1. 84

   Chuckposted 12 years ago

   Any advice or tips on how to write a short story (fiction)?
   
   I enjoy writing and have some success here on HubPages with my writing.  However, while I have some ideas for short story fiction I haven't been able to produce something that I feel reads well.

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2. 70

   dahoglundposted 12 years ago

   We sometimes get too close to our own writing and doubt the quality of it. It might be good to have someone else look at your stories for an opinion.

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3. 69

   Steele Fieldsposted 12 years ago

   Sure-- here are a few thoughts:  Keep to a minimum of characters and develop one plot, no subplot.  Use symbolism of some kind throughout the piece.  Reflect the theme in the title, if possible.  Consider ending where you started (circular motif)  Be careful of trite dialogue.  Listen to the way people speak and try to emulate the rhythm and nuance.  Start the story in media res (in the middle of) an action scene.  Save backstory for next scene.  Avoid the temptation to tell the reader everything at once.  Let them discover things about the characters for themselves, slowly, through the use of indirect characterization.  Make sure that your setting is consistent with the internal emotional state of your main character.  Female protagonists are in. Make sure you set up a conflict early on for your protagonist to overcome/  try to overcome.  His/her response to conflict will determine the reader's ability to care about him/her, which is a critical component to any successful story. First person is a good way to get the reader to identify with your character, but it limits your ability to tell the story from any other viewpoint and all action must include the narrator, which works fine for many people.  I hope some of these tips help you. Good luck and remember one last thing:  The real writing comes in the editing stage.  Edit, edit, edit.  Less is usually more.  For me, on average, I find two out of every seven sentences I write in a rough draft are actually worth keeping in the end. 
   All the best, Steele

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4. 73

   Levertis Steeleposted 12 years ago

   Your writing must grab the reader and and fast walk him to the end of your story. Create a few interesting characters and an eye-catching conflict. Maybe you could have a surprise or unusual ending. I do like stories that dare to deviate from the trends.
   
   I read an interesting hub about a month ago. It had a surprise ending, although I picked up on the foreshadowing that gave a hint of the resolution. A husband and wife who once loved each other dearly grew to bore each other. They both could not believe that they were involved with someone else via the Internet. They both fell in love with their secret internet friends and agreed to finally meet each other and plan the rest of their lives together. When they met their soul mates at the same restaurant, to their surprise they were each other soulmate. They kissed passionately, and sat down to plan the rest of their llife together. I forgot the title.
   
   Happy writing.

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5. 60

   Khal Blogoposted 12 years ago

   Read some good short stories in the genre you want to write in, for inspiration.

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6. 41

   unknown spyposted 12 years ago

   Write from your heart. and let someone read your writing and get critics from them, In that way, well, for me, you could see if where areas in your story needs revision.

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7. 60

   htoddposted 12 years ago

   Well,We need something to write like if we have information regarding things we want to write than we can write easily .So,try to get information as much as possible about the things that we want to write

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8. 78

   Diana Leeposted 12 years ago

   I try to write what comes freely.  If I have to struggle then it's not only ruining my fun, but the whole story is shot down. Once you know what you want to write, just do it. Revision can come later. Don't interrupt the thoughts flowing freely by editing as you go as it may bring a wall in front of you and the thoughts may not come back soon.
   
   You may like to check out this hub:
   http://diana-lee.hubpages.com/hub/WRITE … MES-FREELY

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