How to Write a Short Story | Writing a Good Short Story Step-by-Step
Vložit
- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- Short stories are a writing medium with so much to offer. They are categorized in the brief span of one sentence to seven thousand words, but mastering this seemingly condensed genre will broaden your writing knowledge base as a whole.
In this video, we break down short stories step-by-step:
- How to write them
- Why you should write them
- How to write a good one
We also show you:
- Why writing a short story is so important
- How short story writing can act as a fantastic writing teacher
- What you can gain by pursuing this writing medium
Creating short stories is not only a great way to practice your writing but teaches you how to master story structure, write a compelling scene, and become a better storyteller altogether.
Even if you are working on a longer novel or nonfiction manuscript, learning the art of the short story will help you write impactful, concise chapters.
This step-by-step video is one you don’t want to miss!
SUBSCRIBE HERE: bit.ly/SPS-YT
Ready to publish your book? Check out our free training here:
self-publishin...
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHEET:
self-publishin...
HOW TO WRITE A SHORT STORY BLOG POST:
self-publishin...
300+ SHORT STORY IDEAS TO GET STARTED:
self-publishin...
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE HERE:
selfpublishing.com
FOLLOW US FOR MORE FREE HELP:
Instagram: / selfpublishingcom
Tiktok: / selfpublishingcom
CZcams: / @selfpublishingcom
Facebook: / selfpublishingcom
Twitter: / self_pub_school
Thanks for watching (and SUBSCRIBING)! :D
0:20 "What is a short story? essentially is a story that short"
hmm yes, the floor here is made out of floor.
Lol😂😂😂
Every 60 seconds a minute passes
Lol😂😂
@@Srahas but only in Africa
Underated comment 😭😂
Steps:
1. Know your character
2. Make an Outline
3. Start with something odd
4. Finish your draft
5. Edit your draft
6. Choose a title
7. Get feedback
8. practice short stories
9. Write one story per day
10. Core message/theme
11. Write a satisfying ending
(just so you don't have to go skimming through the video for the steps)
Thx!
I came straight to the comments to find this.
Noice. I was on the 2nd minute
😊😊👍👍👍
Heys guys im new to making short stories and I was wondering if anyone can view mine and just any comment, advice, question etc...
Please and Thank you...
As i died in full red there was black everything i see, It's was never ending like a galaxy but I could'nt talk nor think I'm just there. It felt like weeks in this darkness floating in motion there i was not knowing Death was like this and then for a split second like a intense flash i saw me. I was a baby in my moms, her joyful face and when i was done seeing that memory there was another one i was in, but there was no flash but it was me and my brother playing with our toys. And another with my parents fixing the scratch on my arm. Every moment i pass my conscious was growing, my moments with Papa to singing with my mom, to hugging my sister, to eating with my dad. And to the note that was in my room that i never seen before its from mom she left it for me. It was showed to me in my hands, it-it said...
My shiny little moon
You may not see who you truly are
When your not even a far
You choose to be like everyone else
And you spit on being yourself
I understand your problems
You don't know how to solve them and you decide to give up when you didn't even try
I have a secret to tell you your brightest one of all
You may fall and stubble out of place but you'll always get up and charge
From the moment i saw you i felt embrace in your soul
With the smile you put up
To the words you always told
I love you my sunshine
I love you to little moon
Your the best of us my baby boy i see bright things for you for when i later pass remember
Keeping going foward, your journey is not over
Stand out from everyone else because i'll Always be by your shoulder
Share your joy your so expressful my precious little boy
With our last moments reaching near always dance through your tears
And when your life is meant for two share your found fruit
From every moment we went through i always enjoyed you
From here on to the afterlife
I'll always love you my shiny little moon
Tear felt emotions ran through my face as i saw my mother in front of me with all mother's embrace. And now i wake up in a hospital room, i could see my siblings and my dad but i didn't know where my mom was. It felt cold and my head is throbbing so badly like i was in a......
car accident...
My weird dreams really inspired me to a write a short story ngl
Omw sameee
jimochi. Same
OMGGG!!! yesss!!SAMEE
same thats why im here today i had 2 strange dreams where i wanted to know more lol.
Same, I feel like dreams make really interesting stories
the video: "you can't possibly write 30 short stories and not be proud of at least one of them"
me: hold my beer
*Grabs beer only to immediately slam it down on the bar table*
"I'll take that challenge!"
@@ZA-eq2rh *oblivion battle music starts to play* i'll make captain for this
Sooooo, did you hate them all?
You expect me to hold a beer for 30 days
.....
Am I the only one here not because of quarantine but because I just wanna write
Nah, We have a school project
im here for both those things
@@Cecilia-ni3fv ikr😭
no bro
👍✨
Definitely saving this. A short story is where every early writer starts.
Right
its not like that everytime @Nancy P
No, it isn't.
It's been 5 hours repeating the same particular process: Getting to write a 5 sentence paragraph, erasing it completely, and starting with a new one again.
*sadly finger guns* 👉😥👉
I’m not a writer, but my ELA teacher is making us write a short story, and I actually want to make it good, but I don’t know where to start. This video really helped though!
Write on your character " Yin" .
If you want a good plotting structure I’m a fan of Harlan’s story circle. It’s a pretty good template to get you started.
My dreams often end up being narratives of fully descriptive, fictional worlds that I create in my sleep. I never even get a role inside my dreams, besides writing it all down when I wake up. These always inspired me to start writing in my spare time, and I genuinely want to know if anyone else has had the same thing happen to them?
omg yes this happens to me!
It happens to me all the time
Me too! It's interesting how the stories usually have an ending by the time I wake up and are rarely left hanging
So you have lucid dreams sometimes? Because lucid dreams can somewhat help you with creativity.
Yes happens to me too.
I've written some short stories. I normally start creating the main character and then I give him/her something to do, somewhere, sometime.
I entered a short story contest. The winner gets to ride on FLOAT in a PARADE!!!!
Wish me luck!
Gl
I didn’t win.
:(
But my friend Jackson did!
@@melissacreel8102 awe
Cg to ur friend!
I’ll tell him you said that!
4:34 I have to write a short story in 20 minutes. But, the tips were very helpful.THANKS!!!
Lifesaver
good luck
same but 40 mins with the title not given
If you are a struggling writer, this ebook is for you.
www.amazon.com/dp/B07LH6KNHY
@@asmiaryal3942you are a teenager?
I honestly am thinking about writing my very own short stories and making it perfect just the way I would love seeing and hearing it as. I also want people to see my story and think that it is AMAZING. It would really inspire me A LOT! 😊❤️😍😃.
Even after writing a book, this is a good refresher.
Great to hear!!
What is the name of the book?
Heys guys im new to making short stories and I was wondering if anyone can view mine and just any comment, advice, question etc...
Please and Thank you...
As i died in full red there was black everything i see, It's was never ending like a galaxy but I could'nt talk nor think I'm just there. It felt like weeks in this darkness floating in motion there i was not knowing Death was like this and then for a split second like a intense flash i saw me. I was a baby in my moms, her joyful face and when i was done seeing that memory there was another one i was in, but there was no flash but it was me and my brother playing with our toys. And another with my parents fixing the scratch on my arm. Every moment i pass my conscious was growing, my moments with Papa to singing with my mom, to hugging my sister, to eating with my dad. And to the note that was in my room that i never seen before its from mom she left it for me. It was showed to me in my hands, it-it said...
My shiny little moon
You may not see who you truly are
When your not even a far
You choose to be like everyone else
And you spit on being yourself
I understand your problems
You don't know how to solve them and you decide to give up when you didn't even try
I have a secret to tell you your brightest one of all
You may fall and stubble out of place but you'll always get up and charge
From the moment i saw you i felt embrace in your soul
With the smile you put up
To the words you always told
I love you my sunshine
I love you to little moon
Your the best of us my baby boy i see bright things for you for when i later pass remember
Keeping going foward, your journey is not over
Stand out from everyone else because i'll Always be by your shoulder
Share your joy your so expressful my precious little boy
With our last moments reaching near always dance through your tears
And when your life is meant for two share your found fruit
From every moment we went through i always enjoyed you
From here on to the afterlife
I'll always love you my shiny little moon
Tear felt emotions ran through my face as i saw my mother in front of me with all mother's embrace. And now i wake up in a hospital room, i could see my siblings and my dad but i didn't know where my mom was. It felt cold and my head is throbbing so badly like i was in a......
car accident...
this has now blessed me with the power of writing for my manga
Heck yea! Fellow anime hooman ^^
Hello fellow weebs
@@dog3011 henlo ^^
lol didn't expect some weebs here
also *weeb gang*
@@goemonishikawaxiii aye weeb gangs assemble
I spend lots of my day basically dreaming, when I'm bored I instantly go in to my fantasy world.
I have many stories and characters that make sense in my mind...
then I tried to write stuff down and suddenly I have nothing, and that's why I'm here, I want those characters to exist out of my head, even if just for me.
Same😅
I've been working on a short story for 3 weeks and yes i'm 14 and in highschool... (but i get graded like a college student due to previous stories ive written before) but today i had a brainfart and felt sooo stuck this vid helped alot
Me too suddenly feeling passionate about writing . Btw where are you from and what apps you are writing in ?
@@tasfiyasharif1399 I use Ms word who doesn't plz tell me app of there is a better one
Would you mind sending me some of your stories to read and for inspiration:)
Storytelling is such a powerful art form! And I love how you brought out the tortoise vs. the hare example -- that the theme/lesson is the most important and memorable thing we get from a short story. Good work!
Exactly! There are so many examples of powerful, life-long lessons within short stories.
@@user-jz3mb6lc5o writing good story is best and we have to write with good handwriting is also important is am right
On yah
I'm writing my first book and I think that writing some short stories would help me find my writing style.
That is so great! I am glad you found this helpful.
fun fact: you searched for this :)
OMG you can read my mind
No-
Imagine getting it in your recommendations
lol
Bruh how you now
This is great for when I feel like I can’t write a novel
So glad that we can provide you with content to help you!
Yes, when I write a Nobel it takes days and I want to work on other things too so short ones are perfect.
My short story is a psychological horror about a youtuber who wants to get views and murders famous youtubers to gain traction off their deaths and eventually gains a cult following and becomes rich and successful off the murders of others and gets away with it.
it's Michael from Vsauce right
I would read about that
Sounds like "Spree" with Joe Keery in it
This is one of the things i would read that out of curiosity and be sad when it ends lol.
I love psychological horror stories
I've always loved the short stories of Shirley Jackson.
She was amazing. Especially
The
Lottery, and Flower Garden.
She had a knack of making social statements, and illiciting a sense of dread by revealing the underlining realities of everyday life in small town suburbia. The hypocrisy and the horror...She knew both. All to well I'd assert.
Started writing a short story for fun two days ago and it is one of the most fun things I’ve done. Literally sat for 2 hours writing the second chapter today
I really wanna start writing stories in English because there's always stories in my head and many of them are really interesting stories when I was younger I use to write them down but people use to laugh at my stories so I kinda stop writing but nowadays I wanna start writing again but it's kinda hard writing nicely because I want it to be interesting, grammatically correct and we'll organised. I wanna take some online trusted course in writing that will give me good feedbacks but I can't find the one I can trust.. 🤦🤦🤦
STEP 1 : KNOW YOUR CHARACTER
STEP 2 : MAKE AN OUTLINE
STEP 3 : START WITH SOMETHING ODD (Make readers to be intrigued right away) Example: What Remains
STEP 4 : FINISH YOUR DRAFT
STEP 5 : EDIT YOUR SHORT STORY
STEP 6 : CHOOSE A TITLE
STEP 7 : GET FEEDBACK
STEP 8 : PRACTICE SHORT STORIES
STEP 9 : WRITE A SHORT STORY EVERYDAY
STEP 10: CORE MESSAGE/THEME
STEP 11: WRITE A SATISFYING ENDING
que way
copied comment
WHY ARE YOU SCREAMING AT ME CHILL OUT
Another great video, Bella! Great to see content being published for our students who are writing short stories 🙌
This was a great video!! I really enjoy writing short stories!! They're much easier to write than long novels! I have true passion for writing!
Hello,have you published any of your short stories?I would definitely love to read them.
my english/sociology final project is to make a 20 page story and i procrastinated and now the story map is due in two days
Bro I’m here just trying to get help
On my high school short story
it's easy. Like lying to the police. You're making up a story so you don't go to jail.
@@theultimatevillain8666 you are my hero
I always found writing short stories was a challenge! I got a lot of clarity and information. Thanks.
How can anybody dislike this video? I mean it's just too good. I was searching for something different and unique like this, and I'm really happy with it
Wow!!! You just inspired me to write a short story even before I finished watching your content.
Thank you so much 🤝
I’m have a short story competition coming and 1st place gets a iPad with the keyboard thing sooo yea! Wish me luck!
Very good insight on how a short story is different from a novel. Also, how it can be beneficial for you to write a short story if you are already writing a book, or manuscript and have run into writer's block. I got some inspiration from this for, maybe, writing a book consisting of a collection of short stories.
If you are a struggling writer, this ebook is for you.
www.amazon.com/dp/B07LH6KNHY
I like that raw feeling like they just wrote it down and and let people read it if you can pull it off it just seems so real to me
I'm watching this video because I have for whatever reason, been writing meaningful stories recently about how everyone has a different story to their life. I've recently been thinking about writing longer things like short stories since I usually write a paragraph. Not only do I want to do this for fun, and to enjoy it but to see if I improve in my english class during school, since getting good grades has always been something important to me and even though I already have a A in english I want to get it to A+ and improve. If you find this and read this I would really appreciate it if you could tell me if this is a good idea, Thank you!
Sincerely,
Cloudz Blizz
I am usually a non-fiction writer but this video made me want to write a short fiction story. Thanks! :)
2:09 that is where it is starting from
The philosopher Thank you!
Thanks for these tips: writing short stories is the best way to start.
Love the advice to get to know your characters, create an outline, and write the draft without editing it. Just get the story written, then go back and edit.
I have been forced by my little girl to tell her a story after picking her up from nursery everyday. At first I struggled and now it is soo easy to make up a story. Because of all this, I am getting into writing short stories.
LOVE that inspiration! You think you'd ever write those stories and publish in a collection, or publish them as children's books? I bet they're so fun!
@@user-jz3mb6lc5oThank you very much, it is indeed really good fun and I am thinking of publishing them as children books. Never thought I had it in me but I was forced to tell her a story everyday for nearly 2 years. 😊😊
@@marly3989 Sounds like you have a bunch of stories to work with then! This blog post might help you at least get started with turning them into children's books: self-publishingschool.com/how-to-write-a-childrens-book/
Who’s here cause they need to learn while being at quarantine 😅
Kindly change your username I love Kobe Bryant too much
Kaushal Negi 90 days thank’s to CZcams:(
@@KaushalNegi3226 What is wrong with her username? 😗
@@RotiSkine She changed it
@@KaushalNegi3226 Is it ok for me to ask what it was before? If not, I respect that
Video: "You can knock out a first draft in about an hour"
Me: has been writing the same short story for 3 years
Feedback is sometimes overlooked and know I understand that it is really important. Thanks for the video!
What a great tip to write 30 short stories in 30 days! Challenge accepted!
I tried mine best.
Either Sunshine is bright,
Or darkness is in night,
I don't know what's going in my life.
A life with no choices,
A painter with no brushes,
A flower with no essence,
That's how I feel my existence.
Everyday I see there face,
They make fun of me like crass,
It looks like being morass,
And I feel harasss.
On being bullied I feel that I 'm in hell,
Being locked in a small cell,
Just living in that dwell,
And my soul is just yell.
I felt my heart was gonna blast,
Mine problems are gonna Vast,
But I still tried to cool,
And I feel like a car that ran out of fuel.
I 'll never be the best,
Wake up to get dressed,
And forever to be stressed.
Akshit
I am getting crazy with my short story competition.pls help me.this video is so so helpful.thank u
This was so helpful. I've been struggling to write a short story for what feels like forever.
If you are a struggling writer, this ebook is for you.
www.amazon.com/dp/B07LH6KNHY
Takes me back to my Anderson University days as an English major!
This is great!Now I can write something about my dream!
If you are a struggling writer, this ebook is for you.
www.amazon.com/dp/B07LH6KNHY
In year 7 I had an exam where I had to write a story and I called it terrorist and gangsta snake and I liked it so much I rewrote the whole thing in my notes and made it way longer
Never had much luck writing a short story, hope this helps.
I write stories (I'm 13) and I have a couple characters. This video is very helpful. Loved it. :)
I've thought about writing a short story before but don't have any ideas.
We've got over 300 for you here: self-publishingschool.com/story-ideas/ :)
I write short stories all the time and I still struggle with them. Great informative video
can i see some if u dont mind
I'm sharing this with my students
This actually made me motivated AND inspired. Because that part where start with something odd and unusual or interesting, really, really, helps, and really, really, is just... I don't know how to explain, it just made me smile, and i have no idea why.
Cuz that's always my reaction, like: WHAT!?
Just from the beginning or the summary:
That's also why I have the urge to read every angst oneshots or fanfics, even if the endings are angst as well because I always WANT to know yet what happens and if it can make me cry or if WHY it's an angst ending.
And the beginning makes me cry already, because knowing that I'm gonna cry makes me cry, because of the reason, and illtthink fo a thousand possibilities and that makes me even sadder.
You guys are great!!!! thank you for all the content provided in the description
Glad it’s helpful :)
@@user-jz3mb6lc5o v
I've been writing for several years, and they used to be only several hundred words long in 2016, and hitting 2000 words (exactly) was a great milestone for me. I worked on my voice for quite a while and started correcting spelling and word choice in my older works and created longer works, one of which was 7777 words long, and I'm slowing down on quantity but improving in quality, and soon I just might reach 10000 words! They do all, however, carry no intentional moral, and they all have plots similar to telenovelas. But I'm glad to look back and see my progress!
Thank you so much! This is probably the best video about writing i’ve looked at all day!
I want to write my book,tomorrow i will start doing that.thank you
Greetings from the Netherlands
For nationals in my country we have to make one with the theme of "Starting over."
Help i dont know what to write about and really dont wanna fail. This will take place tomorrow
We will have 1 hour to write it all
@Dhanush Sridhar It went okay, thank you for asking.
ThAnk you for this video,because I have more than 7 essays to do
Awesome video! Thanks for this. Learned a lot of great tips and will be sharing this with my creative writing students.
Why would you want to write short stories?
The answer is quite simple. In a novel you have a lot of 'real-estate' (pages/words) that you can use to build on. In short (pardon the pun), the benefit with short stories is that you have to quickly learn to be concise; really think about your words of choice; utilize proper balance between showing and telling, etc. for a short story to be good.
As many of you might recall from back during your school days, there were topics like "describe X in so and so many words". It' teachers the fundamental of "describing to a point". A novel is a made up of a whole bunch of short stories we call "chapters"; each of these pieces function as their own independent mini-story in 3 phases: Beginning, marathon of the middle, and a conclusion. Now, what authors like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, J.K Rowling, etc. do is that they master the art of short-story telling. And the secret ingredient, that makes readers want to keep on turning those pages, is that the 'final part' of each chapter, in other words the conclusion, is actually the next chapter, all of which in turn leads up to the eventually final conclusion of the whole novel. That's the way you write suspenseful storytelling.
For a short story to be good, you really have to place a whole lot of emphasis on how to "show a story" rather than "tell a story"; because when you have a ton of room to work with, "telling a story" (which is also adherent to the creation of drama; another important thing) is what people tend to drop to because there is so much room to work with.
I really hated in school when I wrote a paper I was so proud of and the teacher gave me a bad grade
I feel you
Thanks for explaining actually I am having a story writing test tomorrow so I am listening to you
It was a very interesting video that motivated me to start writing a short story.
I have always wanted to write short stories,, ty for this video helped me take the first step.
This was amazing!! Bella Rose Pope words everything in the best way!
I will complete this before hel1 freezes over. This will seem more impossible than the titanic and crew poping out the opens hold that kept it on the bottom.
Even though, I wouldn't have just quit trying to live then, I will hope that same determination and fear of not living can keep me hopeful.
Hey Jerico.. Have you ever tried having coaching calls about your book? What are your thoughts on it?
Thanks for shaeing this with us. I will definitely keep it in mind.
Im writing a new short story, I believe it is my best piece of writing so far
Great video, super thorough coverage!
Never even thought a short story would be something I'd consider. Just changed my mind !!
Good luck! Let us know how it goes :)
Who's here cause they have a short story assignment due tomorrow?
Idea:
Make a plan hill or any notes you could make into good sentences! Hope this helps :)
Wow
Great video! Thanks for sharing so much wonderful information!💕
My grandma loved telling us stories I always loved stories time 💖💖💖💖💖✨
Great tips! Thank you! Cant wait to start!
i always wanted to be someone that taught short stories in school as well as poems
Great video!!
Thanks Michael! When are you writing one? ;)
Heys guys im new to making short stories and I was wondering if anyone can view mine and just any comment, advice, question etc...
Please and Thank you...
As i died in full red there was black everything i see, It's was never ending like a galaxy but I could'nt talk nor think I'm just there. It felt like weeks in this darkness floating in motion there i was not knowing Death was like this and then for a split second like a intense flash i saw me. I was a baby in my moms, her joyful face and when i was done seeing that memory there was another one i was in, but there was no flash but it was me and my brother playing with our toys. And another with my parents fixing the scratch on my arm. Every moment i pass my conscious was growing, my moments with Papa to singing with my mom, to hugging my sister, to eating with my dad. And to the note that was in my room that i never seen before its from mom she left it for me. It was showed to me in my hands, it-it said...
My shiny little moon
You may not see who you truly are
When your not even a far
You choose to be like everyone else
And you spit on being yourself
I understand your problems
You don't know how to solve them and you decide to give up when you didn't even try
I have a secret to tell you your brightest one of all
You may fall and stubble out of place but you'll always get up and charge
From the moment i saw you i felt embrace in your soul
With the smile you put up
To the words you always told
I love you my sunshine
I love you to little moon
Your the best of us my baby boy i see bright things for you for when i later pass remember
Keeping going foward, your journey is not over
Stand out from everyone else because i'll Always be by your shoulder
Share your joy your so expressful my precious little boy
With our last moments reaching near always dance through your tears
And when your life is meant for two share your found fruit
From every moment we went through i always enjoyed you
From here on to the afterlife
I'll always love you my shiny little moon
Tear felt emotions ran through my face as i saw my mother in front of me with all mother's embrace. And now i wake up in a hospital room, i could see my siblings and my dad but i didn't know where my mom was. It felt cold and my head is throbbing so badly like i was in a......
car accident...
Thank you. ✔️
>:( MY MOM GONE MAKE ME DO SOMETHING THE SAME TIME I WAS GOING TO WRITE MY GOSH DANG STORY
It was nice explanation..thankyou for work ☺️
This was super helpful! Love the idea of writing a story a day!
So you're going to write one a day? ;)
Example of the 3rd one is The Egg. The eagg starts off like "you were on your way home when you died" very nice hook.
Guess what? I'm here for creating a webtoon. There will be a webtoon contest this year.
goodluck❤
Noice. What title?
Are you finished with it?
I'm currently writing short stories so many thanks for the video and the link
I need all the help I can get if I'm being honest
Then you are following the right channel, lots of great content here!
This is gonna help me get one of the most incredible jobs in the world :) thanks
If you are a struggling writer, this ebook is for you.
www.amazon.com/dp/B07LH6KNHY
i did not do half of these and still got a grade :3
this helped with my 400-600 word short story about Empathy for my English assesment
anyone else here because wattpad stories are inspiring them to start writing? lmfao
Meeeee
But I am still having a hard time :(
Meee
@@ambersage3205 me too! : (
Woah, Thanks!!
Btw, Nice channel name ;)
Who’s here and is forced to write a short story but don’t know how to?
Why what we say is different than they would ever come to achieve and what they already have achieved - To make our target audience understand, Always a great way to illustrate examples or analogies through writing short stories. SUPERB!!!!
Every single one of my essays were completed from my first draft. I finish them then never look back 💀😭
my thoughts and dreams literally showed an entire movie and series just from visuals and now currently Im almost done on the main plot on the rough story