You want to write better.

You want to publish a book.

You want to make money with your writing.

It all starts with short stories.

Many of the self-published authors I’ve worked with had a book idea, wrote it, and wanted to publish it. This is great—except that most of these people had never written anything before their book.

A book is not practice. A book is the goal after you’ve put in the practice.

Some people cringe or even run at the sound of “practice;” it sounds too much like homework. But writing practice is much more fun than you might think. In fact, the first step is writing a book . . . only it’s a miniature version.

That’s right. I’m talking short stories.

Why Short Stories Are Good Practice

A short story contains all the same necessities as a good novel: believable, likeable characters, a cohesive plot, a meaningful theme, conflict, etc. The only difference is you have a much shorter time in which to tell the story, so these elements are more focused. Short stories give you good practice working on these essential puzzle pieces of a story.

Stakes are often much lower with short stories (as in your personal stakes, not the stakes within the story). You usually post them on a blog or website to get feedback or maybe enter them into competitions. Either way, there’s a lot less pressure to get the story picture perfect for publishing, and it’s less of an investment when it comes to editing, cover art, marketing, etc. In fact, the only money you’ll usually spend on a short story is maybe an entry fee for a competition. Even then, there are plenty of free competitions to enter.

So, without further ado, let’s talk about how to create great short stories!

Creating Compelling Characters: The Heart of Your Short Story

Always remember that your characters are the vessels through which your readers connect with your narrative. Start by giving your characters clear motivations, strengths, and flaws. They should have unique voices and distinct personalities. Perfect characters are, in a word, boring—it’s their quirks and imperfections that make them relatable and memorable.

Once you’ve developed the characters on paper, you then need to show them evolving throughout the story, learning from the challenges they face. This growth makes them more real and enhances your reader’s investment in the story.

By focusing on character development before you even begin writing, you can ensure that your short stories are not only engaging but also emotionally resonant—which is key for a memorable story! Writing a short story doesn’t give you an excuse to be lazy about your characters.

Learn more about characters here!

Mastering the Art of Plot Development

To pull all the elements of your story together, you need an engaging, cohesive plot. Start by outlining your main events, at least identifying the conflict, climax, and resolution.

Remember, the plot in a short story needs to be focused and concise; you don’t have the luxury of multiple subplots as in a novel. Every scene, character, and snippet of dialogue should propel the story forward, contributing to the overall plot. The key word here is intentionality. Everything has a purpose. (It should really be the same in a novel, but you have less wiggle room here.)

You know what helps a lot with this? You probably already know. . . . That’s right; it’s the theme! Having an underlying theme (sometimes called the moral of the story) ties your plot together and helps it integrate seamlessly with your character development.

Ultimately, you want to keep your readers hooked with unexpected twists and turns, but ensure they make sense in the context of your story. And aim for a satisfying conclusion that resolves the main conflict, drives home the theme, and leaves the reader with a sense of closure.

Read more about plot here and theme here!

Setting: Building a World that Captivates Your Readers

Think of the setting as a canvas; your characters and plot will be painted on top of it, while the setting serves as the all-important anchor. You have no painting without the canvas!

Creating a good setting isn’t just about describing a place; it’s about building a world that connects with your readers emotionally (remember: emotion = engagement = memorable). Whether your story unfolds in a bustling city, a quiet farm in the countryside, or a fantastical realm, make sure to weave in details that make the setting feel real and alive. Use sensory details like sights, sounds, smells, and textures to create a vivid picture. Don’t tell the reader about the world—show it to them.

Remember, your setting shouldn’t merely serve as a backdrop, but should interact with your characters and contribute to the overall mood and theme of your story. Intentionality.

Read more about creating good settings here!

The Importance of Conflict: Keeping Your Readers Engaged

Conflict is the engine that drives any story. It piques the reader’s interest, propels the plot forward, and fuels character development. Without conflict, a story lacks tension and excitement, making it difficult for readers to stay engaged. It’s the suspense of the unknown outcome of this conflict that keeps the readers hooked.

A short story is no different! Whether it’s a clash between characters, a struggle against nature, or an internal battle within the protagonist’s mind, incorporating conflict is a vital element in crafting compelling short stories. By ensuring consistent conflict in your narrative, you can evoke emotions, stimulate curiosity, and create a captivating reading experience.

Read more about conflict here!

Make Your Characters Come Alive through Dialogue

Dialogue is a little-talked-about secret weapon to make your characters come alive. When used properly, dialogue reveals the personality of your characters, expresses their emotions, and advances the plot.

To keep your dialogue engaging, ensure it sounds natural and unique to each character. Avoid using long, explanatory sentences; instead, use short snappy exchanges to maintain the reader’s interest. (That’s usually how we talk in real life, right?)

At the same time, remember to balance your dialogue with action. This keeps the story moving and prevents it from becoming a static conversation. Don’t discount action and dialogue at the same time, either; people rarely talk for long just standing there, doing nothing.

In essence, effective dialogue injects life into your characters. It takes practice to get it right, though, so start writing!

Read more about dialogue here!

The Art of the Twist: How to Surprise and Delight Your Readers

If you were ever forced to read a million short stories in high school, you probably remember that most of them had a twist. Since short stories are, well, short, twists can be a great way to make your short story stand out in your readers’ memories. Who doesn’t remember “The Tell-Tale Heart”?

But before you can incorporate a good, seat-gripping twist in your story, you need to know what a twist is and what it is not. It doesn’t mean that you mislead your readers or create a random surprise out of nowhere. Though it may seem counterintuitive, twists are actually logical; it’s all about playing with expectations.

The key is to subtly plant clues throughout the story, then overturn the readers’ predictions in a delightful way. This technique not only enhances the intrigue of the story but also leaves an impression.

The twist doesn’t need to happen all at once, either. In my favourite short story, “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury (though funnily enough, I’m not a fan of his novels!), the twist comes in as you gradually realise the horrible truth about the setting of the story. It hits people at different moments as they pick up the clues.

All in all, a twist is a great tool to use in your short story, but make sure to keep it logical and consistent with the rest of the story.

The Journey to Becoming a Master Short Story Writer

Mastering the art of short stories isn’t an easy road, nor is it necessarily the goal. The important thing is to get a firm grip on the essential storytelling basics so that you can then transfer those skills to writing a whole novel.

Or, maybe during this process you find that you really enjoy writing short stories! Many people do; it’s an especially great outlet if you have a lot of ideas and not enough time to turn every single one of them into a whole book.

And if this is the first step on your path to writing and publishing a book, remember that mastery doesn’t happen overnight. Keep writing, keep refining, and keep experimenting with various styles and themes. With time and persistence, you’ll find your unique voice and be ready to take the next step in your writing journey.

Have questions about the process of writing a short story? Wondering what your next step is as a writer? I’d love to help you figure it out! Check out my services and let’s set up a free book coaching consultation.

Happy writing!
—E.J.

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Cover photo by Angelina Litvin on Unsplash