My Process for Writing Short Stories
There’s no ‘correct’ way to write a short story. Just like with novels, some people may take the time to plot everything out, and others will just go for it and see what happens.
I personally find short stories more difficult to write than novels. Mostly because of word length restrictions (I’m a terrible overwriter), but also because I like to explore deep into worlds and characters, and will mourn if I don’t get to put all that effort onto the page.
Even so, short stories have been a great way to practice writing tight scenes, precise sentence structure and developing plot elements without any extra fluff. I published my first short story ‘My Murder’ in April 2023, and have been enjoying the challenge ever since.
I’m always interested in other people’s writing process, so here’s how I develop short stories, from prompt to publication.
1. Find a hook
This first step isn’t about hooking readers - it’s about hooking myself hard enough to want to write the story.
I generally start with a high level concept, summarised into a single sentence. Don’t get me wrong, that description is usually vague and unimpressive. For example, I wanted ‘My Murder’ to be from a crow’s point of view as they interact with a ghost. For ‘Dealer Doesn’t Choose’, it was a gambling themed story told from the perspective of a predatory demon/supernatural being.
There’s an almost infinite number of ways these concepts could go, but if the hook is enticing enough, I’ll continue exploring.
Also (and perhaps most importantly), if you’re writing for a specific magazine or competition and there is a theme/prompt, MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that your concept matches that theme. It doesn’t matter if you write the best short story in the world - if it doesn’t fit the publication, it’s not going to get picked.
2. Start playing with plot and events
I spend a lot of time in my head before writing. Who are the key characters? What are the main plot events? Are there any core themes that I want explore?
And most importantly, what do I want to say.
All of these questions remain amorphous until the very end of the process, but I need at least a few ideas to start writing.
Generally, I start with plot - what events physically happen that drive the story along? What kind of world will my characters interact with? A handful of major ‘events’ will usually comprise my scene list.
3. Think about characters
I may have a list of characters to include, but it’s not enough for them to simply exist. What do they want? How do they change? And what is needed from the plot to make this happen?
Stories are usually more impactful when a character changes in some way. That’s what tells the reader that the events of the plot matter - because they mattered to the characters.
I have written stories where the main character doesn’t change (‘Dealer Doesn’t Choose’ is a little like that), but that’s because the hook is less about character development and focuses on something else.
But for most short stories, this is the point where I explore character arcs and figure out how to make the character’s ‘big change’ match up with the climax.
4. Collect fragments - a line of dialogue, a setting description, a meaningful moment
This usually happens in parallel with steps 2 and 3. I tend to write in creative bursts and my best lines almost always come between midnight and 2am. Yay me.
In the beginning, I collect whatever scraps come to mind and record them in a wild, unstructured WordDoc puddle. As the puddle gets bigger, I sort these fragments and pull together a basic outline: what are the scenes of my story, and which fragments go where.
The good thing about writing in fragments is that it builds the story without pressure to get the words right. I also find this method helps me stay in a creative mindset for longer.
5. Fill in the gaps
This is the hardest part for me. It’s the point where I fall into plot holes and smash up against writer’s block. Everything needs to connect: plot, character and tone. A fragment might be gold on its own, but if it can’t connect logically to the parts before and after, it has to go.
Sometimes things tie nicely together, flowing from one fragment to the next. More often, some fragments must be sacrificed for the greater good (goodbye my mini-darlings). Don’t worry. It gets easier with practice.
6. Refine, refine, refine
No story is finished after the first draft, and that goes double for short stories. Every word said and unsaid must be carefully cultivated to ensure it has the greatest impact.
(Or, you know, just have fun with it. That’s also a perfectly valid method.)
The main thing I focus on is ensuring that the character arc and plot arc work together. The major events of the story should have some impact to the character, driving change. Equally, the character’s reaction to events should help drive the plot forward.
Giving yourself some space from your work (even if it’s just a few days), or reading it in a different environment can really help. If you try to edit too quickly, you’ll find it harder to spot inconsistencies and judge the work objectively.
7. Alpha readers and feedback!!!!
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - feedback is everything. I’m very lucky to have a beautiful group of Alpha Readers who are always happy to read my work. Having a few people comment on a short story is a great way to test it before opening it up to a wider audience.
It’s important to develop relationships with Alpha Readers who you trust. Not just trust in them to treat your work with care, but trust in their ability to identify issues and articulate feedback in a way that you can action. And, most important of all, trust that they will tell you the hard things you need to hear.
Kill that character.
This sounds over dramatic.
I have no idea what’s going on.
Sure, it’s nice to get praise from family and friends, but without honest, informed and articulate feedback, it’s like trying to write with your hands wrapped up in bandages.
“When you read a short story, you come out a little more aware and a little more in love with the world around you.”
– George Saunders
