blooming twig books — #writing short stories #booksthatmatter

B L O O M I N G T W I G

WRITING SHORT STORIES

“ G E T I T D O W N . T A K E C H A N C E S . I T M A Y B E B A D , B U T I T ’ S T H E O N L Y W A Y Y O U C A N D O A N Y T H I N G R E A L L Y G O O D . ”

WILLIAM FAULKNER

Writing short stories is deceptively difficult.

In so many words, the author has to construct a world, characters, and plot that a reader will be invested in.

It’s tricky.

And, it probably doesn’t help that there are several different formats to choose from.

Flash fiction is a tough genre to tackle. Generally, the rule for flash fiction is 1,000 words. Maximum.

There are authors that pair stories down to two sentences. Ernest Hemmingway has a story in six words. Six.

FOR SALE : BABY SHOES, NEVER WORN.

E R N E S T H E M M I N G W A Y

I BEGIN TUCKING HIM INTO BED AND HE TELLS ME, “DADDY CHECK FOR MONSTERS UNDER MY BED.” I LOOK UNDERNEATH FOR HIS AMUSEMENT AND SEE

HIM, ANOTHER HIM, UNDER THE BED, STARING BACK AT ME QUIVERING AND WHISPERING, “DADDY

THERE’S SOMEBODY ON MY BED.” JUAN J. RUIZ

As for what to write, topics can be literally anything. Subtle character stories with intricate relationships are one end of the spectrum. The other end could be akin to space robots coming to Earth in search for fabled jelly donuts.

The general rule of thumb is “write what you know.” When a writer has something

they love, a story comes to life rather quickly.

However…

Blocks inevitably get in the way.

When writer’s block hits—and it will—it’s important to continue writing and face the problem

head on.

Procrastination loops may include binge watching Netflix and putting anything ahead of finishing the story.

Just one more episode? No. Get back to writing.

Once the topic is chosen and the 1,000+ words are written…

It’s a story!

…It may be messy yet, but it’s a story.

Editing comes next. It’s going to hurt to cut down sentences, fix the bad, and polish the story up.

It’s got to be done.

“ K I L L Y O U R D A R L I N G S , K I L L Y O U R D A R L I N G S , E V E N W H E N I T B R E A K S Y O U R E G O C E N T R I C L I T T L E

S C R I B B L E R ’ S H E A R T , K I L L Y O U R D A R L I N G S . ”

STEPHEN KING

Once the painful editing process is over. Celebrate.

Seriously. It’s an accomplishment that deserves a fancy dessert, some boasting, or maybe a drink.

Or two.

It takes time to find the right home for a story.

Be brave.

Unfortunately, it takes a lot of time and a tough hide.

SYLVIA PLATH

“ I L O V E M Y R E J E C T I O N S L I P S . T H E Y S H O W M E I T R Y . ”

There will be rejections. It is best not to be discouraged. It happens to everyone.

Take a page from Sylvia Plath and stay positive about the experience. Always try again.

All that needs to be done, in so fewer words, is putting a pen to paper.

RESOURCES

• http://dangerousminds.net/comments/ernest_hemingway_and_the_six-word_short_story

• http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-quotes • http://www.chicagonow.com/listing-toward-

forty/2014/03/two-sentence-horror-stories/ • King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.

New York: Scribner, 2000. Print. • http://www.aerogrammestudio.com/2013/06/15/12

-famous-writers-on-literary-rejection/