How to Write a Short Story (for BEGINNERS) | 4 Easy Steps

Summary

This video provides a four-step process for writing a compelling short story. It addresses common misconceptions, such as the difficulty of creating meaningful characters or delivering impactful endings within the limited length. The process focuses on defining a character's predicament, introducing a disruptive event, building toward a climactic moment, and concluding with a final revelation that changes the character's perspective. Through an example from the speaker's own short story, the video illustrates how each step can be applied to craft a well-structured and engaging narrative.

Takeaways

• 📚 Writing a short story can be simplified into a four-step process, making it less daunting for beginners.
• 👤 The first step is to establish a character in a particular predicament, which forms the core of the story and is often linked to the theme.
• 🔗 The theme of a story is the underlying idea that it explores, usually related to the character's change by the story's end.
• 💥 The second step involves an event that disrupts the predicament, acting as the inciting incident that propels the story forward.
• 📈 The third step is the event peak, which is the climax of the story where the character's predicament begins to shift due to the disruptive event.
• 🌟 The final step is the revelation, where the character experiences a change in their perspective on the predicament, leading to the story's resolution.
• 🤔 A common mistake for new writers is neglecting the importance of the character's change, which is crucial for a compelling short story.
• 🎭 The character's change can be positive or negative, but it's essential for demonstrating the impact of the story's events on the character.
• 📖 The example 'Jasmine's Brows and Cuts' illustrates how a character's internal conflict can be challenged by an external event, leading to a revelation.
• 💡 The script suggests that even if a character doesn't seem to change, a closer look might reveal a regression or a different form of transformation.
• 📝 The guide encourages新手 writers to embrace the challenge of writing short stories, offering a structured approach to craft impactful narratives.

Q & A

What are the four basic parts of a short story according to the script?

The four basic parts of a short story are: 1) Character in a particular predicament, 2) Event that disrupts this predicament, 3) Event Peaks, and 4) A final Revelation that changes the predicament.

What is a predicament in the context of a short story?

A predicament in a short story is a problem or conflict that the character faces, which can be internal or external. It is the heart of the story and the reason the character is telling the story at that time.

Can you explain the role of a theme in a short story?

A theme in a short story is the unspoken core idea that the story explores. It is usually related to the change the character makes by the end of the story.

What is the significance of a disruptive event in a short story?

A disruptive event, also known as the inciting incident, is what causes the story to happen. It is an external or internal conflict that exacerbates the internal conflict and sets the story in motion.

How does the event Peaks contribute to the short story's climax?

The event Peaks is the story's climax where the character's predicament starts to shift due to the disruptive event. It is the tipping point of the story where a change in the character's situation occurs.

What is the purpose of a final Revelation in a short story?

The final Revelation is crucial as it recontextualizes everything that came before it. It signals to the reader what the story was about and often involves the character making a significant change or realization regarding their predicament.

Why is it important for a character to change in a short story?

A character's change is important in a short story because it signifies the impact of the events on the character and provides a sense of development or transformation, which is a key element in storytelling.

What is the example of a character in a predicament given in the script?

The example given is from the short story 'Jasmine's Brows and Cuts', where Jasmine, who lost her job, starts an at-home eyebrow waxing business while struggling with her body image.

Can you provide an example of a disruptive event from the script?

In 'Jasmine's Brows and Cuts', the disruptive event is when Sada, a confident woman, becomes the first client of Jasmine's at-home salon.

How does the final Revelation in 'Jasmine's Brows and Cuts' illustrate the character's change?

In the story, Jasmine's final Revelation occurs when she looks at her reflection in the mirror and sees herself tinged gold, indicating a shift in her self-perception and a challenge to her previous worldview influenced by her mother's criticism.

What advice does the script offer for新手 short story writers regarding character change?

The script advises新手 short story writers that characters in short stories typically undergo some form of change, whether positive or negative, and that stories where characters do not change at all are less common and should be approached with caution for beginners.