5 Great Tips for Structuring a Short Story

If you are thinking of writing a short story of your very own, you should make sure that you know what you are doing. This is because writing a short story is not as easy as you would think. There many facets to writing a truly compelling short story. 

So before you start the short story writing process, you should have a set strategy. You should know how to properly structure your short stories. 

Here are 5 great tips for structuring a short story:

  • Have a set theme

Before you start the writing process, it is important that you choose a set theme first. The theme that you choose will be the overall feel of your story. 

It will be the main idea that constantly recurs throughout your story. The theme could be about revenge, hope, love or redemption. 

It could be practically about anything. What matters is that you choose a set theme, and that you stick to it.

  • Make your characters multifaceted

Aside from having a great theme, it is important that your cast of characters are as multifaceted as possible. Although you are writing a short story, your characters will still need to shine. 

So take the time to make your characters as unique and complete as possible. Don’t just make characters because your story needs bodies. 

Instead, you should make characters the spotlight of your story. Give them backstories, motivations and detailed descriptions. This will allow you to create a truly unique cast of characters.

  • Take time for some exposition

When you start writing your short story. Take the time for some exposition. Remember that you won’t have 300 pages to explain every aspect of your story. 

So at the beginning of your story take the time to set up the story. Give quick but concise descriptions and explanations on the characters and the settings. 

By doing so, you will be able to move the story forward, without missing any key points of the story.

  • Set up for the conflict

Seeing as the conflict is the turning point in your story, you should make sure that you set it up properly. It would come out as too convenient or contrived if the conflict came out of nowhere. 

So take the time to set up the conflict. You should set up scenarios wherein the conflict could happen organically. You should also make sure that your main antagonist’s motivations are as realistic as possible.

  • Give a satisfying resolution

Once the conflict is settled, then the next task is to resolve the loose ends in your story. Nothing annoys readers more than loose ends. It comes out as lazy and careless writing. 

So once you finish the conflict part of your short story, take the time to resolve all the issues in your story. Show your readers how your protagonist overcame the obstacles he or she faced. 

Show your readers how your other characters fared after the event. And show your readers the fate of the antagonist. By doing so, you will be able to give your readers a truly satisfying ending.

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