How to Write a Short Story in 6 Steps
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- Опубліковано 28 тра 2024
- Writing short stories can be crucial to your novel-writing dream.
Resist the urge to begin your writing career with a full-length novel. That’s akin to going for your PhD before finishing elementary school.
You have a lot to learn about the publishing world, selling your work, working with an editor, getting cliches out of your system, and, in short, honing your skills.
In this video, based on my 45 years of experience, I help you get started writing compelling short stories.
We’ll explore:
- 6 steps to make your stories better
- How to find and perfect your own writing voice
- Finding inspiration from classic short stories (including my reading suggestions)
- How to create characters and plot points
- The unique nature of your first draft
- How to ferociously self-edit for success
- And much more
For more in-depth writing advice, click the following link to download the FREE bonus I mention in the video.
leveragecreative.lpages.co/wr...
I'm writing a book at 62 but never even read a book. I'm dyslexic and using google docs and a microphone to write and also to read back what I've written. I always knew technology would come along to help. thank you Jerry for your videos
Good luck with your work!
Inspiring, I wish you luck!
Good luck!!
Let us know when it's done! I would love to read your book
I love your story. Inspiring.
I ferociously edited my comment to the following two words:
Thank you.
Skillfully done, Sir!
Thank you for that laugh.
1 - Read short strories 1:08
2 - Generate a winning idea 3:01
3 - Narrow your scope 4:30
4 - Employ a classic story structure 5:56
5 - A satisfying ending 7:13
6 - Edit Aggressively 8:20
Adorabel
Would you also add: read at least 100 great novels a year?
Maybe that was a bit extreme, but I have been writing feverishly and reading voraciously now for years, and, despite my writing twenty paragraphs a day, cannot write worth a grain of sand.
*Liked it,*
*Screenshots,*
*Saved it in the list,*
*Subscribed,*
*Motivated*
If u are interested in writing then u can join this discord server where u can share ur stories with others....
. discord.gg/X3cana8JhB
Are you a Pilipino?
@@leodaer2041 nope...
The best 9 minute short story writing points tutorial you will ever find. Thank you.
This guy is the goat.
Amen.
I just can’t believe that this man puts such valuable content online for free. I started writing my novel over a year ago. Everything that has gone well in it is almost completely thanks to Jerry Jenkins’ videos and his self-editing checklist. Brilliant. Thank you. God bless you.
I know, I'm doing a degree in creative writing and my good grades have a lot to do with the content here, not just the content on the course, and it's free! Bless him!
Once again, Jerry Jenkins comes through with excellent advice. If you want to write, sit down and listen to what he has to say. It's how I wrote my first science fiction book, Ark Three, and how I'm writing the second in the series, Ark One. Without Mr. Jenkins, I doubt that I would have actually self-published.
If I can do it, anyone can.
Wow, would love to read your work. What you have done is an immense achievement
@@jaglinuxmint Immense achievement? Not really. A person just has to sit down and start it, and follow Jerry's advice. Both of my books are available on Amazon. They're called Ark Three and Ark One. I'm currently working on a third book, which I'm going to switch hats and try my hand at a thriller. Again, following Jerry's plan, I'm in the marathon of the middle. And following Jerry's advice, I'm letting my writer's block work for me instead of against me.
@aboctok That may be one of the most ignorant comments that I've seen in a while. But please, carry on so we can all enjoy your ignorance as much as you do.
@@mikecee3058 "If you wrote something for which someone sent you a check, if you cashed the check and it didn't bounce, and if you then paid the light bill with the money, I consider you talented." quote from Stephen King's advice to writers. Writers should also read widely so they won't be ignorant.
I think it’s ignorant to assume that anyone who writes has read every book by every famous author or watched every video and read every interview. It’s simply impossible to do that. You can’t honestly make a quote and attack someone for not recognizing it. Especially when said quote isn’t fully stated in the first place. You took a fraction of it... At least if you are going to quote something have enough of that quote left intact so that the meaning of that quote can be better understood. If I didn’t know where it came from I very well would have thought you were belittling them.
Step 1- Read Short Stories(Start with reading books written by Bret Lott
Step 2- Generate A Winning Idea(Recognize the germ, Create characters from people you know)
Step 3- Narrow Your Scope
Step 4- Employ A Classic Story Structure
4.1- Terrible Trouble
4.2- Attempted Fixes Make Things Worse
4.3- The Predicament Appears Hopeless
4.4- Heroic Growth Helps Hero Win
Step 5- A Satisfying Ending
Step 6- Edit Aggressively
Thanks!
Tku Mark👍
Thanks short attention span
Thank you 😊
Cool name bro
I've been writing a book about how tourists act in rural Ireland, as I own a small nontourist shop in a touristy area of West coast Ireland. The first 2.5 years went great, 60000 words in I started to edit. That was a year ago, I had to put it down because of how negative I had wrote, it wasn't an account of how generally tourists act, it was a full on look for as much of the negative aspects I could find. I learned a lot about how negative a person I am that's for sure. I will finish it one day, hopefully in a much more accurate light.
Maybe you can turn it into a comedy by portraying the foibles of tourists.
I agree with tangobayus...turn it into a farce or short funny stories in the style of Mark Twain or P.G. Wodehouse.
Writing satire is the best antidote for thinking about things you hate.
I don't see how you should make it fully accurate if it's a fictional work. Readers can also have an insight of your mind, but I agree with the other comments. A satire would be fun to read. The best story is the one that speaks with you the most.
The 'lights on' story is a great example of saying more with less. Thanks for sharing Jerry.
1 - Read short strories
2 - Generate a winning idea
3 - Narrow your scope
4 - Employ a classic story structure
5 - A satisfying ending
6.Edit Aggressively
@aryan wtf?
@aryan and why
@@pandharinathhaldankar9550 Lol, I found myself wondering if the original poster listed the 6 points... and then aggressively edited his response! 😅🤣
Good tldr but the video is super useful and goes into techniques with each step.
Hi Jerry. Commenting because it helps you with your channel. I am 64, a former alcoholic writing a story about overcoming addiction. Its done in story form to go alongside my audio course. Invaluable information. Thank you. I will be watching more of your videos as my main source of learning. ❤
I’m going to write a bunch of short stories with recurring characters and setting, then draft all these stories together as a novel. It’ll take a lot of drafting to make it coherent, but I think it’ll work for the story I want to write. I also think that just writing all these separate stories that have unique ideas may be easier than just connecting everything from the first draft.
Each chapter will be like an episode of a Netflix binge series.
At seventeen years of age I wrote a short story about an inmate of a mental hospital. It is about 40 pages and I consider it to be my batchelors. Fifty years later I'm writing the novel I've been thinking of all this time.
This makes a lot of sense. I like the illustration of toddlers learning to walk, and plopping till they get it, and kids in grade school, going to graduate schools. Excuse me. I must go. Much ferocious editing to do!
I've never made notes from a youtube video. This was the most valuable thing I've learnt all year.
So so relieved to hear this. I got so overwhelmed and lost; I almost wanted to give up, but my love for the written words and melodies and love for being in the creative worlds just will not go away. I feel like VC Andrews starting at 53
Trying to get back into writing again, after a few years off. Maybe this will help. Thank you, Jerry. You are always inspiring
Me too, i was simultaneously writing 5 different novels but finished none. Will begin today evening one at a time
Wishing you success and joy along your way!🌞
Me too! Blessings as you go forward!! THANKS for sharing
Me too! I wrote a screenplay in 2010! I think I want to write again but short stories!
I've got to say, thank you so much for recommending those short stories. I've read three out of that list so far, and I've enjoyed every one of them. I'm totally feeling inspired to get back into writing.
writing a good short story is more difficult than writing a novel. of course it takes longer to write a novel, but the more time you spend with your story, the better it is in my opinion, especially if you're a novice writer like me. novel writing is like a long term relationship while short story is like one night stand. Am I right? I totally agree with reading a lot. it is the feul for writing.
I disagree, it's better to be prolific than to take ages in one story.
Thank you, Mr.Jenkins, for helping us newbies to learn to start writing but telling us, basically, not to be a hero. I think short stories are the best at starting out. I sat down on my laptop and felt pressured to be like you and other authors. The first story or novel we write will hit the New York Times best selling author list and we are heroes. 😂🙄 Thank you for telling us to get rid of the pressure; I need to sit down in a quiet place and think and think and think then get going and have fun. If I muck up I muck up. Stay with it. 📚😎👍...
Jerry, your videos are amazing. You're an excellent and patient teacher and I appreciate the wealth of information you share in each one. I'm currently writing picture books but need to give short story writing a shot again. I love Ray Bradbury and will be hauling out my dog-eared copy of "The October Country" tonight to rediscover everything from the poetic wonder of "The Emissary" to the creeping dread of "The Next in Line." Thank you for helping me fill in the technical blanks, and reawakening my desire to tackle a genre I didn't feel confident enough to handle. Wish me luck!
Starting your writing career with short stories then progressing to novels is like starting your UA-cam career with 1-5 mins videos then progressing to half an hour videos if your audience requests.
I got emotional just hearing about the lights on.
That satisfying short story end reminds me to the wonderful song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree", written and composed by Irwin Levine and Lawrence Russell Brown, originally recorded by Tony Orlando and Dawn and released in 1973
Short, sweet and delivered with no time wasted. Thank you Jerry.
How awesome to see so many people want to be authors!
I needed to hear everything you said here. From the not starting out with a novel (which I’ve been insistent on doing, thus have gotten nothing published), to reading of other works, to allowing myself to write draft without editing. Your presentation style is inspiring. You’re the instructor I think I’ll need to get started on my writing career which I’ve put off since childhood.
Thanks, Jerry! I'm watching this video after having drafted my first story in novel format. I can definitely relate to being out of my depth. I'm going to get started on short origin stories for my characters first. Thanks again.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge Jerry. You have just helped me clear another hurdle.
I had such a long drawnout awe and little tears starting to well when you described the light.. which lights.. how many lights and the extension of lights WOW!!!! Fantastic and I haven't even read it YET!!!!! Hearts
Jerry this video was sensational. Your delivery was exceeded only by the content and sensible advice. It was just the right length but not too short to miss the essentials. If any viewer had potential and they follow your advice , it should hit the target at some point. Well done, keep them coming .
Wow! Very eloquent with examples and sound advice. Immediate to the point, and constructively helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your helpful tips!
Awesome. This is the short-story version of tutorials on general writing, yet the steps can be applied to any story. It's stripped to the essential information with no fluff: a nuts-and-bolts, helpful tutorial.
Your advice sounds like a well written short story. Wonderful and instructive. Thank you.
Practical, clear, and just plain elucidating advice. Thank you. I look forward to this work refining all of ours.
The "classic story structure" that Dean Koontz mentioned in the 80's is basically Lester Dent's master fiction plot from the 30's. Dent used it for a bunch of 6000 word pulp stories. Koontz adapted/extended it for novels, just like Michael Moorcock, who wrote a bunch of 60000 word sword & sorcery fantasy novels with that structure.
Thanks for the info. Never heard of Lester Dent before. I just googled him and found some stuff to read later
@@henbane2247 You are welcome :)
Just shared this on twitter - writing short stories has leveled my novels like nothing else. I strive to producer a new short every three months.
That seems too long. Shouldnt you be able to write a good short story on 1 week?
@@dragonchr15 I think it depends on how life is going. For an example: I'm working full time and I write every day a little bit. I am able to write like 700 to 14000 words a week, but more often than not I'm left with the 700. This is only the first draft. The editing process is a complete other story, because it takes more time and effort. More thinking if you will. So I might need two to three weeks to finish the editing process. So yeah, three month might be a bit long, but everything around one or two month are okay, if you don't have so much time to write.
@@dragonchr15 'Too long' according to who? Writing a new short every quarter is something a writer can realistically stick to, plus this is on top of working full-time, running a publishing imprint, novel writing, and all the other stuff life throws at you.
Wish your list included some great women short story writers. Very helpful suggestions.
Thank you for the wonderful advice! Have a wonderful day!
Very impressed by the depth of understanding of the writing process expressed here as gleaned through years of experience. I am binge watching these videos and using them as a checklist against my what I thought was completed novella. Looks like I have more work to do. Thank you for your generous spirit in sharing this important information. And straight to the point teaching style.
Thanks you so much for sharing your knowledge, Thanks!!!
🙏 thank you. Writing my first short story now by following an IRL course. Your online resources are a helpful addition. It was inspiring to see your target of writing 2500+ (unedited?) words a day in another video. After sleep I will write and keep writing to finish the story I'll fix it later. I hope to share my story on madness and mysticism with the world. I think it's important. Thanks for sharing your insights
Gosh! This is a treasure. So generous! Thank you, Mr. Jenkins!
As an MFA student, I can state with confidence this video is 10 minutes of solid gold writing instruction.
I feel so inspired, especially about editing ferociously. I can do this! I'm a retired English teacher -- I've been editing my students' work for three decades. I know how important it is, but I'd forgotten what a strength it is when writing fiction also. I've always seen myself as a writer, and I've played with different genres over the years. I decided a long time ago that I would write fiction after I retired, but then I haven't seemed to be able to get started. It's far more challenging than i had anticipated. But I've got a great imagination, inspiration from dreams, strong writing skills, and even more, I can edit ferociously. Thank you for reminding me about this.
you explain things really well!
Amazing lesson. Tyvm❤
At this point in my life, writing is "all that I have" to make a living; not physically able to do much else. At 55 years old, life is my encyclopedia to my stories. Thanks Jerry.
I am just short of that mark, myself. Good luck to you.
Do you have a writing group or beta readers?
As you were talking my current short story idea crystallized. Thank You.
Great share Jerry. I appreciate it. Thanks
Thanks for your tremendous output!!
This was really relatable,helpful,inspiring,sefl assuring and needed! Kudos to you sir!
Awesome videos. Thanks Jerry!
This was wonderful. Thank you very much for your condensed and valuable words.
Short story writing I found to be the most challenging writing I've ever done, from novel writing, playwrighting, non-fiction, journalism. BUT, the absolute most rewarding and moved my writing to a great new level. It really taught 'tightening' up, and showing not telling like never before. One doesn't realize how much rambling there is, until you make a rule that every paragraph has to be relevant. I also should say that I read short story after short story after story story story to learn how to do it.
I agree. It's challenging. I have a hard time parsing down my prose to fit the short-story length. I often develop the ideas too much, creating more symbolism and allegory than can fit in the container of short-fiction.
Wow the value in this video! Thanks a ton
May I just say - thank you, sir. I've been freelancing for twenty years and I speak eight languages so I mostly do a lot of translations, but I'm working on my first novel and I did - clearly, as you say correctly approached - want to begin with a short story. Therefore, as I began I looked for some online tips and your advice is exactly what I needed. it's clear a BA in English doesn't teach you everything :) All the best!
Excellent advice. thanks!
Here is among my top 10 Short Stories of all time.
Grace Paley
“ Wants”
(from her 1974 short story collection “ Enormous Changes At The Last Minute”
Nominated for the National Book Award For Fiction ).
~
I saw my ex-husband in the street. I was sitting on the steps of the new library.
Hello, my life, I said. We had once been married for twenty-seven years, so I felt justified.
He said, What? What life? No life of mine.
I said, O.K. I don't argue when there's real disagreement. I got up and went into the library to see how much I owed them.
The librarian said $32 even and you've owed it for eighteen years. I didn't deny anything. Because I don't understand how time passes. I have had those books. I have often thought of them. The library is only two blocks away.
My ex-husband followed me to the Books Returned desk. He interrupted the librarian, who had more to tell. In many ways, he said, as I look back, I attribute the dissolution of our marriage to the fact that you never invited the Bertrams to dinner.
That's possible, I said. But really, if you remember: first, my father was sick that Friday, then the children were born, then I had those Tuesday-night meetings, then the war began. Then we didn't seem to know them any more. But you're right. I should have had them to dinner.
I gave the librarian a check for $32. Immediately she trusted me, put my past behind her, wiped the record clean, which is just what most other municipal and/or state bureaucracies will not do.
I checked out the two Edith Wharton books I had just returned because I'd read them so long ago and they are more apropos now than ever. They were The House of Mirth and The Children, which is about how life in the United States in New York changed in twenty-seven years fifty years ago.
A nice thing I do remember is breakfast, my ex-husband said. I was surprised. All we ever had was coffee. Then I remembered there was a hole in the back of the kitchen closet which opened into the apartment next door. There, they always ate sugar-cured smoked bacon. It gave us a very grand feeling about breakfast, but we never got stuffed and sluggish.
That was when we were poor, I said.
When were we ever rich? he asked.
Oh, as time went on, as our responsibilities increased, we didn't go in need. You took adequate financial care, I reminded him. The children went to camp four weeks a year and in decent ponchos with sleeping bags and boots, just like everyone else. They looked very nice. Our place was warm in winter, and we had nice red pillows and things.
I wanted a sailboat, he said. But you didn't want anything.
Don't be bitter, I said. It's never too late.
No, he said with a great deal of bitterness. I may get a sailboat. As a matter of fact I have money down on an eighteen-foot two-rigger. I'm doing well this year and can look forward to better. But as for you, it's too late. You'll always want nothing.
He had had a habit throughout the twenty-seven years of making a narrow remark which, like a plumber's snake, could work its way through the ear down the throat, half-way to my heart. He would then disappear, leaving me choking with equipment. What I mean is, I sat down on the library steps and he went away.
I looked through The House of Mirth, but lost interest. I felt extremely accused. Now, it's true, I'm short of requests and absolute requirements. But I do want something.
I want, for instance, to be a different person. I want to be the woman who brings these two books back in two weeks. I want to be the effective citizen who changes the school system and addresses the Board of Estimate on the troubles of this dear urban center.
I had promised my children to end the war before they grew up.
I wanted to have been married forever to one person, my ex-husband or my present one. Either has enough character for a whole life, which as it turns out is really not such a long time. You couldn't exhaust either man's qualities or get under the rock of his reasons in one short life.
Just this morning I looked out the window to watch the street for a while and saw that the little sycamores the city had dreamily planted a couple of years before the kids were born had come that day to the prime of their lives.
Well! I decided to bring those two books back to the library. Which proves that when a person or an event comes along to jolt or appraise me I can take some appropriate action, although I am better known for my hospitable remarks
-Grace Paley
Here’s another by Charles Bukowski that equals Poes “tell tale heart” It called “ The Blanket” from his story collection titled
“ Erections, Ejaculations, Exhibitions and General Tales Of Ordinary Madness.
Another in my top 10:
“ The Most Beautiful Woman In Town”
-Charles Bukowski
-Al Fogel
Thanks for this.
Your example of the perfect ending packed such an emotional punch. Great advice.
Thank you, I really needed this video.
OMG thank you! This video was so useful! So many videos I've seen don't really go into techniques and I found the ones you listed useful and straightforward.
Thank you for posting sir, you are the best! Looking forward to more posts
Thank you. So helpful!
Excellent advice. Thanks Jerry!
WOW Jerry! As a sales and marketing professional the last 25 years sitting across the kitchen table of families I know how to connect. Watching you on this video I felt a real connection with you great job what a skill.
Your videos are making me feel inspired and motivated to work on a short story right now!! Thank you!!
Me too
Thank you sir for your advise. I must say that I have read around 40 to 45 books of yours and in the process, got a better grip over writing. I consider you to be my mentor. Big Fan
Fantastic advice as always....Thank you!!!!
Can’t believe this advice is free. Thank you!
So thankful❤
I wish a I had come across your lessons 2 decades back when I first started to write short stories for relaxation. Today I am editing those works of passion and love using your valuable lessons, hoping to find a publisher. Thank you, sir.
Thank you so much for this video, Jerry!
I found your video helpful. Thank you!
Great insight! Thank you.
Thanks for the pro-tips, Jerry. I'm going to implement these ideas ASAP.
Really needed this advice, thank you.
Thanks for the post!
Amazing! Thank you!
You truly inspire me, sir. My whole life I have been creating stories for audiences and now while I'm in my 30's I realized that I would love to become a writer. The horror short stories of H.P. Lovecraft had inspired me to create my own place in his universe. The Europe version of it.
Eventually, I want to make a bundle of my short stories and sell it to an audience. My first short story is getting great responses and I'm proud of my second one that no one has read yet other than my better half, who Is a writer already. Your videos inspire me to charge forward and create!
Master!!! You always teaching and giving us the clues of writing craft!!! Thank you👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻...
Fantastic as always! Thanks!
I thank God I found you page.
This was extremely helpful! Thanks for sharing!
this is a great video! you explained everything so well and made everything clear and simple! thank you so much 😊
It's so nice to actually be able to listen to an experienced authors voice. I can't handle dome authors shares on writing skills when they rush through the slush I. A complex blur. Thank you sir 🙏🙄
Fabulous insights Jerry. Thank you very much
Useful guidance in a compact session. Thank you.
Even the description of the satisfying ending had me teared up
Academically clear and straight to the point on writing a basic first time short story book Thank you for your help
Thank you Mr. Jerry for generously sharing your time and knowledge with all of us! I have enjoyed learning from you!
Yes,has given me lots of inspiration.
I am so thankful for this video. Your concepts are so clear to me. Thank You for sharing your knowledge with us here on youtube. I don't know much of anything, but I know i am following my intuition to write and I'm going for it.
Thanks for the great inputs
Great, advice Mr. Jenkins. I have started to write, and I feel really happy with my first short story. Thank you
I am always interested in writing and blogs about writing. They are a steady diet in the hunger for learning. I appreciate this and can identify with even the short stories used as examples. The learning never ends. Someone once said, and I'm not sure who the quote belongs to, but to me it really exemplifies writers. It says: to be a writer is like having homework for the rest of your life. He/She must have been a writer themselves to realize that saying.Thank you for your insight, Jerry, and best of luck with all your projects.
Thank you, again for some great advice, Jerry.
Thank you. This helped me a lot as a new writer. I'm going to use this advice to the fullest.
Wowza sir, this short video was a gold mine of information. Way to drive home the point that shorter can be better 😁
Awesome is the only adjective my mind can conjure up after viewing the full video...keep knocking it up!
You are amazing! You are helping me so much! I am trying to write a children's book series and I was so stuck untill I watched your videos! I am forever grateful !Thank you Jerry!