by Peter L. Bosch

Created on: July 28, 2009

Writing a short story is a chance to allow you to express your creativity and to get that story in your head out on paper. Here are 5 useful tips to keep in mind while crafting your work.

1. Make every word count. By definition, a short story is expected to be read in one sitting so it is much shorter than a novel or even a novella. For this reason, you need to get the most out of your words so pick and phrase them carefully. It should be an art. For instance, in James Joyce's Araby, the narrator tells the reader that he lived on a "blind" street. Joyce wanted to convey to us that not only was the street a dead-end, but perhaps blind in a more literal sense.

2. Read short stories. Be familiar with both classic short stories and modern day ones. Good writers read a lot. You have to be familiar with the market and where it has been as well as where it is heading. Readers can usually pick up on someone who knows their way around a genre.

3. Write, write, write. Not only will you become a better writer through practice but you will increase your chances of striking gold. As Ray Bradbury said, "Quantity produces quality. If you only write a few things, you're doomed." Not every story you write will be up to your expectations, but do not get discouraged. Keep writing and success will find you.

4. Avoid clichs. Nobody wants to read about how something is as white as rice. Be unique and stand out with your writing. When Raymond Chandler describes the leaves in General Sternwood's garden in The Big Sleep, he writes the plants had "nasty meaty leaves." You get tingles reading that which is what made Chandler so great. Create your own unique images.

5. Show us as much as possible. If someone is angry, then show us how. Do not write that the character is furious, but show us by having the character punch a wall. Try to make the reader feel, smell, hear, taste, or see what is happening. This will make the work come to life for the reader and they are more likely to become engrossed in your story.

Remember to stay positive and to keep working hard. The more you write, then the more tips you will pick up on your own about the short story writing process. Use these 5 tips to guide you on your way.

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