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Tips for Writing Short Stories
- Start with a bang and try to make that first sentence, that first paragraph, unusual or punchy. This is also good advice for novels, but with short stories, it’s even more important to draw a reader in quickly. This leads to the second most important factor, namely,
- Make every word count. Self-editing can be very challenging, but it’s extremely important with short stories. Cut out every word that doesn’t add to the action, plot, or vital character development. Other elements of writing are still important, too, like setting and dialogue, but remember that less is more with a short story. Succinct. Is. Good.
- Know the competition. Read as many stories as you can get your hands on, by as many writers as possible. Different editors will be looking for different things (hard-boiled, noir, “literary,” family-friendly, cozy), but ultimately it all comes down to good writing. Learn from the award-winners and the masters of the craft. There are many good anthologies out there, which is a great way to start. I’ve included some below in the resource section.
- Know your market. Read publications before submitting, if at all possible. Many magazines, even print pubs, have sample stories on their web sites. Check and double-check their submission guidelines and follow them exactly. If it says no e-mail submissions, don’t try to send them one anyway, thinking that once it’s there, they’ll go ahead and open it. They won’t. If it says query first, do. Pay attention to format. It’s a little frustrating that every publication seems to have a different standard for this, especially when it comes to e-mail submissions, but that doesn’t matter. Give the editor what s/he wants in the way they want it. Otherwise, your story will probably end up deleted or trashed.
Resources
- Check out the many mystery/crime fiction short-story anthologies edited by Ed Gorman or Otto Penzler. They are a virtual who’s who of writers in the genre. Gorman is the editor of the annual “Year’s Finest Crime and Mystery Stories” series.
- The annual Writer’s Digest Novel & Short Story Writer's Market has listings for over 1,350 book publishers, magazines, literary agents, writing contests and conferences with contact information, editorial needs, schedules and guidelines.
- Duotrope (http://www.duotrope.com/). This is an online short story writer’s market with a searchable index. You can choose by story length and theme (such as mystery), as well as other factors. Many listings include response time and all include known editorial/submission guidelines, as well as a link to the publication’s web site for more information.
- Short Mystery Fiction Society (http://www.shortmystery.net/). This is an e-mail list group of writers, readers, fans, and editors/publishers of mystery and crime fiction from around the globe.You can find lots of useful advice and news there about the writing and publishing business, as related to short crime fiction.
- Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction, by Damon Knight. This is a good source not just for general stories, but mystery stories (Knight himself wrote science fiction). Includes discussions about story elements, different types of plots, diagrams for story structure, and work habits.
- The Art of the Short Story by Dana Gioia and R.S. Gwynn. This volume includes 63 stories from 52 authors from 20 different countries, with commentary from each author.
- Writing the Short Story: A Hands-On Program by Jack M. Bickham (Writer’s Digest Books series). Includes advice and writing assignments.
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Short Story “Una furtiva lagrima” to be published in October 2007 edition of Cantaraville
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Short Story “Elementary, My Dear Abraham” published in Spring 2007 edition of Mysterical-E
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