How to Write a Compelling Short Story

“A short story is a love affair, a novel is a marriage. A short story is a photograph; a novel is a film,” says author Lorrie Moore.

With that in mind, here are some tips to help you write a compelling short story.

Start with a hook: Begin your story with an opening that will grab your reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading.

Create interesting characters: Your characters should be complex and believable, and they should be facing a problem or challenge that they must overcome.

Establish the setting: The setting of your story should be described in enough detail to give the reader a sense of place, but not so much that it becomes a distraction.

Use dialogue to advance the plot: Dialogue can be a great way to reveal information about your characters and move the story forward.

Show, don’t tell: Instead of simply telling the reader what is happening, try to show the events of your story through the actions and thoughts of your characters.

Use sensory details: Help the reader to experience the story by including sensory details that allow them to see, hear, touch, taste, and smell what is happening.

Start in the middle of the action: Jumping right into the heart of the story can be a great way to grab the reader’s attention from the beginning.

Use conflict to drive the plot: A story without conflict can be dull and uninteresting. Make sure that your characters are struggling with something, whether it’s an external problem or an internal conflict.

Use descriptive language: Good descriptive language can help to paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind and make the story more immersive.

Vary your sentence structure: Mixing up your sentence structure can help to keep the reader interested and prevent your writing from becoming monotonous.

Avoid unnecessary details: While it’s important to include enough detail to give the reader a sense of place and character, be sure to avoid including unnecessary information that doesn’t contribute to the plot.

Edit and revise: It’s important to take the time to revise and edit your work to ensure that it is well-written and polished. Consider seeking feedback from others to help you identify areas for improvement.

Have a clear theme: A strong theme can help to give your story depth and meaning. Consider what message or lesson you want your story to convey, and make sure that it is woven throughout the plot and characters.

Last but not least, end with a satisfying conclusion: Make sure that your story has a clear resolution and that all of the loose ends are tied up.