If you’re interested in writing a short story, follow these easy steps for a smooth process. This guide will walk you through everything from coming up with an idea to polishing your work for submission.
1. Choose your story’s plot
When choosing a story plot, there are many options to choose from. Some writers prefer to start with a character and let the character’s actions drive the property, while others prefer to have a strong plot idea before creating any characters. There are pros and cons to both methods.
Starting with a character can be a great way to get into the story quickly and understand the character’s motivations and goals. However, if you’re not careful, the story can quickly become a vehicle for the character’s personal growth rather than a story in its own right. It’s also easy to get bogged down in the character development details and lose sight of the plot.
Starting with a strong plot idea can be a great way to ensure the story stays on track, but introducing well-rounded characters can also be more challenging. It’s also easy to get bogged down in the details of the plot and lose sight of the character’s motivations.
Ultimately, the best way to choose a story’s plot is to find the balance between character-driven and plot-driven stories that work best for you. Try out a few different methods and see what feels most natural.
2. Outline your story
Now that you understand your story well, it’s time to start outlining it. This will help you stay on track and make sure your story flows well.
Some things to consider when outlining your story:
- The beginning: What happens in the beginning that sets the story in motion?
- The middle: What happens in the middle that keeps the story moving?
- The end: What happens in the end that wraps up the story?
- Consider adding subplots to your story. What are the main plot points, and what are the more minor side stories that help to develop the characters and the plot?
- Once you have a good outline, you can start writing your story.
3. Write the first draft
Now that you understand the story’s plot and characters well, it’s time to start writing the first draft. This is where the real work begins—you’ll be putting all of your ideas down on paper and shaping them into a cohesive story.
Don’t worry if your first draft could be better. It’s normal to make many mistakes and change your story’s plot and characters as you write. Just keep writing, and let your story grow and evolve.
When you’re finished, you can revise your work, making sure it’s as polished and perfect as possible. But for now, focus on getting your story down on paper.
4. Revise and edit your story
Editing your work is one of the essential steps in the writing process. It allows you to catch mistakes and fix them before your story is published. It also allows you to make your story the best it can be.
There are several things you can do to edit your work:
- Read through your story and ensure all the words are spelled correctly, and there are no typos.
- Make sure the grammar is correct.
- Check to ensure the story flows smoothly, and the plot makes sense.
- Make sure the story is correctly formatted.
Editing your work can be a lot, but it’s ultimately worth it. By taking the time to edit your story, you can make sure it’s the best it can be.
5. Publish your story
Now that your story is complete, it’s time to publish it. It would be best if you did a few things before sharing them with the world.
First, you’ll need to create a cover. This image will appear on your story’s page, and it’s a good idea to make it eye-catching. You can use a program like Photoshop or GIMP to create a cover, or you can find free templates online.
Once you have a cover, you’ll need to create a description for your story. This brief summary of the plot will show up on your story’s page. It’s a good idea to make this as enjoyable as possible, so people will want to read your story.
Finally, you’ll need to set your story’s category and genre. These will help people find your story and are also an excellent way to let people know what to expect.
Once you’ve done all that, your story is ready to be published! Congratulations!
With these steps, you’ll be able to write a sho