The Story of a Short Story by Brenda J. Wood

Humor writer Brenda J. Wood considers the benefits (and drawbacks) of writing short fiction.

The trouble with a short story is that it starts out with only one plotline, a scant number of characters, and a writer who is perhaps bored with the whole thing.

You know what I’m talking about. We create characters that we really love. We hate to say goodbye to them. So, we keep forcing them into events for our own satisfaction. We bombard them with trouble and then freedom, but only because we can’t bear to tell them farewell. Maybe that’s why some of us create several books about the same folks. We love them and can’t bear to kill them off.

Shorts are a fast read and some readers prefer them. One quick read during our lunch hour and the feeling that we’ve accomplished something goes a long way.

A short story is a story that ends before you know it. Did you choose a theme about love? All is going well, and then you have a fight with hubby. You had a great plotline in mind, but suddenly the murder is over and done with, the villain caught, and you’re only at a few thousand words! On closer examination, you realize that the male character is very similar to hubby and that’s why you killed him off. (This is preferable to actually doing the deed in real life!)

In a short story, you can’t have a dozen useless characters floating off and on the page. There is no time for backstory to build up their lives. Don’t bother. They aren’t worth it. Save them for your novel.

My recommendation? Start to write . . . anything. Just write and enjoy what you discover on the page. Yes, it is in your brain, but you won’t realize it till everything is on the page. Only then can you decide if it’s a short story or an epic chapter for your novel.

Brenda J. Wood is a motivational speaker and author of more than 50 books who shares with faith, commonsense wisdom, a sense of humour, and quirky comments. Read her daily devotionals at everydaychristian.com Her favourite things include guest speaking, writing a good book, (and reading one!), a warm fire, and walking on snow-free pavement. Brenda is now a great grandmother, which is amazing since she is only 29!

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