TeenageTells- My 10 Short Story Tips

1. Short stories are very different to novels or series. This might seem obvious, but this is something I had to learn. You have very little time. Make sure that every sentence has a purpose: description, revealing a character, plot progression, theme development. Whatever.

2. Limit characters. I tried to write a short story with like 6 characters in 500 words… It was a mess. Try to stick to 3 and under if it’s 500->1000 words. Dont limit their personalities. Just their numbers.

3. Be inspired. If you have no ideas it’s going to be hard. And you can find inspiration from anywhere. I found it on DofE (when I was in pain and tired) and in the middle of Chemistry lessons. Look for ideas. If someone mentions a story or an idea think about it, and see if you could add a spin on it, or if it’ll inspire you further.

4. Read at least some short stories. The pacing is very different than in books, so try and get three or four read so that you know roughly how to structure it instead of being clueless.

5. Ask people what they think. This is applicable with all kinds of writing and art. Opinions not only help you figure out what’s good and bad but a singular comment might inspire you further or help you understand the characters. My friend and I once started making my characters into a band and what instruments they would play. It’s not canon, but it helps me know them better.

6. Have a good first and last line. This is the 60% of what the impression will be. It is what people will be focusing on. For a lot of people, if they're not hooked by the first line, they won't move on to the second. And the last line will be what someone remembers. It's the final idea you leave. Look online or in books for interesting first and last lines (especially first: there are some really good ones) and take inspiration. Don't copy; that's plagiarism.

7. Look online. Enough said, I think. There are thousands of people online giving ideas. You don't have to use any, if you don't want to (including these ones), but sometimes I come across something that changes my entire way of writing. In a good way.

8. Mindmap. Or just plan. This is where you can put all your ideas down. And it doesn't have to be pretty. I love having beautiful aesthetic things, but you just need to make it legible. Put down anything that comes to mind. Eventually, I find that my brain starts thinking faster than I can write all my ideas, and for me, that means I'm ready to write. Starting with no idea will make your story... chaos.

9. Don’t elaborate too much. As in, touch on ideas, but let the reader’s imagination do the work. You need to get through it quicker. I know this sounds like repetition but you have to build up to a climax in such a short time. In a novel, this same word count might not even lead to the introduction of the main character or conflict or plot line.

10. Keep dialogue snappy. Don’t have ‘Hello. I’m fine thank you. How’s the wife? Is her knee better? Send her our love! Oh beautiful weather we’re having!’ Unless it’s actually really important like the wife will die and that’s the main conflict. Or the weather turns funky. Include humour, jokes, serious moments and subtext. But don’t make it longwinded for no reason.

Hope this was useful, and that you will submit a story to the creative collaboration. Remember, your work is amazing, and I'm excited to read it.

Hope to see you next week, when we'll explore other types of creativity.