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Want to know how to write a short story? We'll walk you through planning, writing, and editing to help you create great short stories.
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Short stories are an exciting way to express creativity. Writing short stories can help improve your writing skills and share your imagination.
This blog will guide you through how to create a compelling story, so you can stand out in English class and, maybe even in short story writing competitions!
Download your free Short Story Writing Guide
Learn how to craft engaging short stories with easy templates.
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Before we explore how you can write a good short story, let’s look at what makes a good short story.
A short story is a narrative that delivers a complete idea in a shorter format, usually between 500 and 2,000 words. To write one, try to:
The key elements of a short story are:
Choosing a topic is often the first challenge, but the good news is that there are endless story ideas to explore. Here are some creative starting points:
In school, your English teachers will often give you prompts to spark your imagination. These might focus on specific themes, scenarios, or even a single sentence to build from. Practising with different prompts is one of the best ways to sharpen your creativity. It helps you approach stories from unique angles and develop fresh ideas.
Why practise with prompts?
Tip: Try combining two prompts to create something new, or rewrite an old prompt with a twist.
Writing time varies depending on how complex your story and planning are. Here’s a rough breakdown:
With practice, you’ll write faster and improve your skills.
The beginning of your short story is one of the most important parts—it’s your chance to grab the reader’s attention and set the tone for the rest of your tale. A strong opening should spark curiosity and make your audience want to keep reading.
Here are three ways you can start your short story:
1. Start with action
Jump straight into an exciting or dramatic moment to hook your reader instantly.
For example: “The boat tipped dangerously as the storm raged on.”
This pulls your audience into the story’s events, making them eager to find out what happens next.
2. Introduce a mystery
Opening with an intriguing question or puzzling event sets up suspense and draws readers in.
For example: “The letter simply said, ‘Meet me at midnight.’”
Your audience will want to know who wrote the letter, why they sent it, and what will happen at midnight.
3. Use vivid descriptions
Paint a picture that immerses your reader in the story’s world.
For example: “The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.”
Descriptions like this not only set the scene but also establish the mood of your story.
Every great story starts with a plan! Here’s how you can map out your ideas.
Start by brainstorming. Use prompts to get inspired, like:
Think about what excites you. Write down all your ideas—even the bizarre ones.
Organise your story using the Freytag’s Pyramid structure:
Tip: Use our downloadable Short Story Writing Guide’s templates for this step!
Now that you’ve planned, it’s time to write. Remember, your first draft doesn’t need to be perfect!
Grab your reader’s attention with an intriguing opening. For example:
Make things interesting! Show your character facing challenges. How do they react? Do they make mistakes or learn something new?
Dialogue makes your story come alive. Follow these rules:
Your descriptions should make readers feel like they’re in your story. Use sensory details:
Instead of saying, “It was dark,” write: “Shadows stretched across the forest as the moonlight struggled through thick branches.”
No story is complete without a little polish. Here’s how you can improve your draft:
Does each sentence make sense? Do the events follow a logical order? Smooth transitions make your story easy to read.
Tip: Always ask a friend, parent, or teacher to read your story.
Use their feedback to make improvements. Our downloadable guide includes a peer review checklist to make this step easy!
Dialogue is a powerful tool in short stories. It gives your characters a voice, reveals their personalities, and keeps the story engaging. Well-written dialogue can make your characters feel real and immerse readers in their world. Here’s how to craft effective dialogue:
1. Use quotation marks correctly
Always enclose what your characters say in quotation marks. For example:
“It’s too quiet,” he whispered.
This helps readers clearly identify spoken words, making your writing easier to follow.
2. Start a new line for each speaker
When multiple characters are speaking, start a new line whenever the speaker changes. This keeps conversations organised and avoids confusion. For instance:
3. Keep it realistic and purposeful
Dialogue should sound natural and serve a purpose. Ask yourself: Does it reveal something about the character? Does it move the plot forward?
Avoid unnecessary chit-chat or overly formal language unless it suits the character. For example:
Entering a short story writing competition is a great way to show off your creativity and improve your writing skills. To make your story stand out, follow these tips:
It includes:
Download your free Short Story Writing Guide
Learn how to craft engaging short stories with easy templates.
Done! Your download has been emailed.
Please allow a few minutes for it to land in your inbox.
We take your privacy seriously. T&Cs and Privacy Policy.
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