15 Tips for Writing Better Short Stories! | Writing Tips

TL;DR

In this video, Shaylyn shares 15 tips for writing impactful short fiction, including creating antagonistic forces, focusing on core ideas instead of themes, and using unique settings and specific points of view.

Transcript

hey guys it's shaylyn and i'm here today with another writing video so today i'm back with another video on short fiction as you guys know short fiction is like my favorite thing and so today i'm doing a follow-up to a video i posted a couple months ago that video was called 12 tips for new short story writers and it was basically just a compilatio... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧠 Characters and elements in short fiction should be antagonistic to create tension and conflict. This includes the protagonist and even the setting.
• 🧭 Instead of having a message or theme, focus on a core idea that is not trying to prove or say anything specific.
• 🎯 Specify your theme to reveal something about the character or relationship rather than making universal claims about human nature.
• 🌍 Reflect on theme, symbol, or idea, rooting it in the character's own experience rather than making it about human nature as a whole.
• 🏰 Set short stories in weird and unique settings to make a visual impact and create pressure on the character.
• 🔄 Avoid binary choices in short stories to prevent writing yourself into a corner.
• 🎭 Create one memorable element, image, or moment in the story that stands out and creates impact.
• 📚 Specify your point of view in short stories to create a unique perspective and understanding of the story.
• 🔌 Think about the form of the story rather than its structure, focusing on how the story is told and using language and point of view to create a specific form.
• 📏 Cut connective tissue in short stories to maintain conciseness and trim unnecessary details that don't contribute to the story.
• 🧩 Use the technique of patterning to create unity and coherence in the story, rather than relying on symbols.
• 🔠 Create unity of language and atmosphere in the story by using a word bank and selecting words that fit the tone and atmosphere you want to convey.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can creating antagonistic forces in short fiction enhance the storytelling?

By making every character and element antagonistic, it creates tension and conflict, driving the story forward and making it more engaging for readers. This friction and opposition add depth to the characters and their journeys.

Q: Why is it important to focus on core ideas instead of universal themes in short stories?

Universal themes can feel didactic and condescending, whereas focusing on specific characters and relationships allows for more genuine storytelling. By revealing something crucial about a character, the story becomes more impactful and relatable.

Q: How can unique settings enhance a short story?

Setting a story in a strange or unusual location adds visual impact and allows for more interesting details and sensory descriptions. These settings can also put pressure on the characters and become a source of conflict, driving the story forward.

Q: What is the significance of specifying point of view in short fiction?

Specifying point of view helps create a unique storytelling experience and allows for a deeper understanding of the character's perspective. It also helps in crafting the language and atmosphere of the story, making it more cohesive and engaging for readers.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Every character and element of the story should be antagonistic, creating tension and conflict.

• Focus on core ideas rather than universal themes and reveal something about specific characters or relationships.

• Specify your point of view and use unique settings to put pressure on the characters and create symbolism.