Writing a Short Story: Things to Consider

Hi Everyone,

Now that we've played around with a setting and at least begun to think about a character, it's time to consider a short story. Remember that stories can vary from as few as 500 words to thousands! Perhaps our best approach is to start with a "short short" style story.

On the web, one short story writer comes up repeatedly as the one you have to read to get ready. Many of Anton Chekhov's stories are barely more than a page long. Why not read a few?

Another short read is Writing the Short-Short Story. Refer to one or two of Chekhov's stories to see how he "sets the scene" and "introduces the main character." Copy him and you cannot go too far wrong!

Comment here on ideas you may have had for a story.

What does the main character want? What prevents him or her of getting it? (what obstacles stand in the way). Why does the character want it? (motive)

What might be shown to us (theme) by a character's struggle? Ideas?

See you on Thursday for more on first steps towards a story.