How to Write a Short Story in 6 Steps

Summary

In this video, Jerry Jenkins outlines a six-step process for writing compelling short stories, emphasizing that they are an ideal starting point for new writers. He suggests reading great short stories, finding inspiration in everyday life, writing a first draft without concern for perfection, narrowing the story's scope, following a classic structure, and offering a satisfying ending. Jenkins also highlights the importance of rigorous editing and offers a free guide to help writers overcome blocks and finish their stories.

Takeaways

• 😀 Starting with short stories is better for new writers than beginning with a novel.
• 📚 Read as many great short stories as you can to learn from the best in the genre.
• 🧠 Come up with a compelling idea by asking 'what if' questions and drawing inspiration from people you know.
• ✍️ Write your first draft without worrying about perfection; focus on getting the story down.
• 🔍 Narrow your scope to keep your short story concise and impactful.
• 📖 Use a classic story structure, such as Dean Koontz's four-step approach: plunge your character into trouble, make it worse, create a hopeless predicament, and finally resolve it.
• 😊 Offer a satisfying ending that feels natural and emotionally moving, avoiding forced or contrived conclusions.
• 🔧 Edit your story rigorously, focusing on grammar, punctuation, sentence construction, and engaging readers' senses and emotions.
• 📈 Use proven fiction writing techniques and gain confidence by treating early efforts as learning experiences.
• 🚫 Avoid wasting precious reading real estate with excessive setup or backstory; get to the problem or quest quickly.

Q & A

Why should a new writer start with short stories rather than a novel according to Jerry Jenkins?

Jerry Jenkins suggests that starting with a novel is like attending graduate school when you should be in elementary school. It's a big mistake because there's a lot to learn, and you'll progress faster if you start small, like with short stories.

What is the free bonus offered by Jerry Jenkins at the end of the video?

The free bonus is a guide to help overcome writer's block, start your short story, and most importantly, finish it.

What is the first step to writing a compelling short story as suggested by Jerry Jenkins?

The first step is to read as many great short stories as you can find, especially the classics, to familiarize yourself with the best in the genre and emulate their work.

Which author does Jerry Jenkins recommend to look up for modern-day short story mastery?

Jerry Jenkins recommends looking up the work of Brett Lott, a modern-day master of short stories.

What are some of the classic short stories mentioned by Jerry Jenkins?

Some of the classics mentioned include 'The Tell-Tale Heart', 'The Fall of the House of Usher', and 'The Pit and the Pendulum' by Edgar Allan Poe, 'The Gift of the Magi' and 'The Ransom of the Red Chief' by O. Henry, 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County' by Mark Twain, and 'The Lady, or the Tiger?' by Frank Stockton.

What advice does Jerry Jenkins give about being 'bad' at reading short stories initially?

He advises to give yourself permission to be bad at reading short stories at first, as it should inspire you to try your hand at writing them. Treat your first efforts as learning experiences, and eventually, you'll refine your skills and get better at it.

What are three strategies to generating story ideas for a short story according to the script?

The three strategies are: 1) Learn to recognize the germ of an idea, such as a person, problem, or tension, and ask 'what if' questions about it. 2) Create characters from people you know, mixing and matching their characteristics. 3) Write your first draft to get down the basics of your story without worrying about grammar or other details.

How does Jerry Jenkins suggest narrowing the scope of a short story?

He suggests focusing on a single scene or incident that carries the weight of the story, avoiding unnecessary descriptions, and eliminating scenes that merely transition characters from one place to another.

What classic story structure does Jerry Jenkins endorse for writing a compelling short story?

Jerry Jenkins endorses Dean Koontz's four-step approach: 1) Plunge your character into terrible trouble as soon as possible. 2) Everything your character does to get out of trouble makes it worse. 3) The predicament appears hopeless. 4) The hero uses what they've learned to succeed in the end.

What does Jerry Jenkins say about the importance of a satisfying ending in a short story?

He emphasizes that the ending should not seem forced or contrived, nor should it give the impression that the story has ended too soon. It should be emotionally moving and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

How does Jerry Jenkins describe the editing process for a short story?

He describes the editing process as being a ferocious self-editor, examining and revising every element of the story, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence construction, word choice, flow, cliches, and redundancies.

What is the key takeaway from Jerry Jenkins' advice on writing a compelling short story?

The key takeaway is that writing a compelling short story involves reading and studying great works, generating strong ideas, narrowing the scope, employing a classic story structure, offering a satisfying ending, and editing rigorously.