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12 Sides To Your Short Story
1. Writing Variables for Stories
Before writing think about:
Role: From whose point of view am I writing?
Audience: To whom am I writing?
Format: What type of writing am I completing?
Topic: What am I writing about?
Strong Purpose: What is my purpose in writing?
2. Story Beginnings That Command Attention
a) Plunge the reader into a conflict or dramatic event
There I was, helpless, frightened and stranded. As I glanced around the darkening school ground, I saw them, my attackers. I glanced furtively for my friends. They had vanished. I backed up slowly until I was cornered. I smiled as they approached but I churned inside.
b) Present a brief monologue or dialogue related to the conflict.
There I was lost and bleeding under the blistering hot sun of the desert. I had just escaped from prison. My stomach rumbled with hunger pains. Night was looming and I had nowhere to hide.
c) Describe a setting with a focus on movement or action.
She sat on a little corner against a brick wall beside an alley. Shoppers passed. She tried to hide from their hustle and bustle. She wanted to reach out her hand to beg but she could only look down to the dirty pavement.
d) Introduce suspense to make the reader wonder.
It was the Friday afternoon of the last day of Christmas vacation. The house sat silent as everyone relaxed. The telephone ring broke the silence. My mother took the call. Our eyes bugged out and we scattered when she announced, One of you has to stay home alone tonight.”
3. Endings That Point to Theme
a) Tell about a final emotional response, reaction, or something learned from the experience.
We ran home, hearts pounding and did not return to that wretched spot ever again.
b) Illustrate a change in attitudes or beliefs
The Christmas when I was seven years old was the year that I discovered the true meaning of this holy holiday.
c) Illustrate how events might affect the protagonist’s future.
Time has passed and there have been new friends in my life but not a new best friend.
Tips for Successful story endings:
Successful stories suggest a theme without preaching.
Avoid endings like, “The moral of the story is….” or “It all goes to show that….”
Always avoid cop-out endings such as making the whole story a dream.
Cop-out endings never suggest a theme as effectively as endings that provide a realistic resolution following the climax.
4. Focus on the Conflict
Remember that most stories focus on how individuals deal with conflict
a) What was my problem or conflict?
b) How did I immediately act or react when I realized I had a conflict or problem?
c) What did I think about before I decided what to do about the problem?
d) What actions did I consider?
e)What choice did I make?
f) What choice do I wish I had made?
g)What was the consequence of my choice?
5. Showing Not Telling
Joy, fear, anger, relief, hatred, jealousy, love, pity, excitement are all words that identify an emotion, they tell the reader how a character feels.
A) Good writers let the character SHOW emotions by writing about:
a) Your character’s hair, eyes, mouth
b) Sounds and movements made by your character
c) Something your character says and how it is said
d) Your character’s breathing and heartbeat
e) Your character’s actions
He opened his lunchbox quickly. He couldn’t believe what he saw. His eyes popped out! He yelled! He nearly fell off his chair! There was a mouse peeking out of his lunchbox.
B) Good writers build suspense by offering hints something is wrong before introducing the conflict.
One day the baby fox wandered off to play and he scampered too far from his home. When it was time to return, he stopped. None of the trees looked familiar. He shuddered. He looked for his pate but couldn’t find one. He screamed!
6. Planning
A) When planning your story remember to consider some critical story elements:
a) Your story needs at least one character
b) The character usually faces a conflict
c) The story shows how the character deals with the conflict
d) The conflict is resolved
e) The story ends with an indication of what is different in the character’s life or how the story has affected others
B) Use a Story Frame
(See attached sheet)
a) Somebody (main character)
b) Somewhere (where and when story takes place)
c) Wanted (main character’s plan at the beginning)
d) But (the problem or conflict main character must deal with)
e) Showing the problem (effects of the problem on the protagonist)
f) So (resolution of conflict)
g)Then (conclusion-story’s ending that shows what is different in the protagonist’s life.
7. Sentence Power
A) Use differing sentence patterns
Sentences begin with phrases or clauses or participles or adverbs)
B) Use differing sentence types
Declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, imperative)
8. Words as Illustrations
Readers visualize as they read, strong words help readers imagine a story.
Vocabulary Choices
A) Long lists of adjectives or adverbs make for poor, overdone descriptions. Add words only if they help your readers picture your text more clearly.
Long ago there lived a dragon, a very mean, diabolical, evil, selfish, greedy and gluttonous dragon. -Versus- Long ago there lived a dragon, a very selfish and gluttonous dragon.
B) Use strong verbs instead of many adjectives or adverbs
The weary sailor went into the room. -Versus- The weary sailor staggered into the room.
9. Write With a Distinctive Voice
A) When you include relevant details that other writers miss and when your word choices and comparisons are original, your writing has voice that’s all your own, a personal touch that distinguishes you from other writers.
B) Cliches are the greatest enemy of voice, cliches have lost their power through overuse.
Don’t use them!
1) Add at least one original comparison to your writing (think metaphor/simile)
2) Add details based on first hand observation (write about what you know)
10. Usage and Spelling
Your story will be successful only if the reader understands what you are trying to say. Rules for spelling, grammar, punctuation and word use exist only so your writing will make sense to the reader.
A) Some common misused words:
affect/effect accept/except can/may bad/badly
could of (should be could have) lie/lay there/their/they’re to/too
B) Some Capitalization and Punctuation Problems
Lack of capital letters for proper nouns
Lack of capital letters to begin a sentence
Lack of capital letters for important words in titles
Improper punctuation to end sentences
Improper use of colons and semicolons
Incorrect placement of commas
C) Some Sentence Structure Problems
Lack of subject-verb agreement unclear pronoun reference
Sentence fragments misplaced modifiers
Run-on sentences lack of parallel structure
11. REVISION THAT WORKS
(See attached revision checklist)
An acronym can make it easier to recall revision criteria.
BOSS-DEW
B= beginning Does it capture attention?
O=original comparisons Does the story have at least one?
S=show don’t tell Does the story show rather than tell emotion?
S=sentence structure Does the story have varied sentences?
D=demons Have I checked for personal spelling/usage demons?
E=ending Have I check that it points to a theme?
W=words Have I added color to at least three words?
12. Share Your Story
Read your story aloud to classmates, friends and your family. It will help improve your writing and will affirm and encourage you as a writer.
a) respect punctuation cues
b) show emotion
c) use timing and pacing
d) use proper volume
e) emphasize certain parts
STORY FRAME:
a) Somebody (main character)
b) Somewhere (where and when story takes place
c) Wanted (main character’s plan at the beginning)
d) But (the problem or conflict main character must deal with)
e) Showing the problem (effects of the problem on the protagonist)
f) So (resolution of conflict)
g)Then (conclusion-story’s ending that shows what is different in the protagonist’s life.
Page Sponsor: Mark Richter
Author: Mrs. Faith Mirza
Webmaster: Mr. Jeff Platt
Revised: January 04, 2010