Short Stories
I joined a group that deals with flash fiction on Scribophile. Every week there’s new prompts that help inspire your writing. The last prompt I ended up writing a piece that was very emotional for me. The end of an abusive relationship, one that led to a happy ending. I received lots of praise on this work and one said that they would love to see me expand it into a short story. Maybe even have it published. To say I was thrilled would be an understatement.
So, I have been working on this piece while my novel sits on the back burner. Not that I don’t want to finish my novel, I do. I just need to push past this feeling of re-writing my chapters and then continuing on. It’s hard to do, especially as the quality of my writing has expanded a bit. I need to tell myself to chill and wait to edit when the whole story is written down.
I did some research on short stories, one to discover what length they should be. In all of my searches, I have found it to be between 1,000 & 7,500 words. I am aiming at coming in around 3,000 words. Right now I am at 1,200 words and still need to flesh this story out. It’s hard. When writing this piece memories come rushing back and I find tears filling my eyes. Immense relief follows as I remember that I got out. The main thing I am hoping for is that if this piece is published, it will reach women out there in similar situations and give them the courage to leave.
If you are used to writing novel length pieces, you will soon discover that anything short is difficult to do. You find yourself expanding your ideas, wanting to start earlier in the story. Anything so that the whole story is told. That is not the way to write short stories. You need to start as close to the end as you can and provide just enough information so that the reader isn’t left wondering.
Here is a site that I found useful while searching for tips on writing short stories. Maybe it will help you too.
8 Unstoppable Rules For Writing Killer Short Stories
Tags: Short Stories, Writer, Writing
Filed under: A Day in the Life
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Not sure where I found you, but love this. I write non-fiction, and not sure why as I love to read fiction. Writing articles and know I have many short stories in me. You have motivated me to try! I’m from MD, living in FL now. Lived in PG, Balto, & Carroll Co. Hope you’ll visit me, too!
1 Kelly Stilwell said this (June 4, 2012 at 7:51 am)
Writing is writing
I’m glad I was able to give you some motivation! Trust me, sometimes motivation is a tricky thing to find, so hold on tight! Good luck with your writing!
2 Marie said this (June 4, 2012 at 11:43 am)
Good info. Lucky me I recently found your website by chance (stumbleupon). I have saved as a favorite for later!
3 San Antonio SEO Company said this (January 13, 2013 at 7:52 am)
Thanks!
4 Marie said this (May 15, 2013 at 6:04 pm)