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There is one thing you must never forget when writing short. Short stories and novellas are exactly that — Stories. Readers love a good story, no matter how long or short, it’s always the story that counts. It’s up to you, as the author, to decide what that story is, and to stick to it when you put pen to paper. (Or fingers to keyboard.)
What do all stories need?
- Well developed characters.
- Plot
- Action
- Resolution
Now let’s go over each thing step by step.
For definition sakes lets call anything 10k and under a short story.
Novellas are 15k — 25k.
Novels are anything over 50k
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT:
Well-developed characters can be done in a very quick and short way. Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of thinking just because you don’t have room to include a whole back story that you won’t be able to draw a clear and complete picture of your character for your readers.
The back-story for the character should still be done; you’ll need it in your head, even if not on the page. Knowing your characters makes them easier to draw. And you draw them for readers with simple and straight strokes.
Example:
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Amanda Carrington set down the phone and listened to Emily — her secretary – giggling girlishly in the open-plan area of the office. It was the final straw. The girls irritating simpering was grating in her ear so much that she could barely concentrate. Leaving her cushioned chair, Amanda walked around the large oak desk and stalked to the door of her office. Enough was enough; this was an office, not a pick up joint.
In 75 words this gives the reader a picture of who Amanda Carrington is. The name, the fact that she has a secretary, her reaction to the secretary’s giggles, the oak desk , and finally her “pick-up joint” line. These are all things that are carefully selected to give you an instant image of the character.
Is it a complete image? Not yet. But as the story moves on, we learn a little more through her thoughts and actions. THESE ARE BIG.
When writing short you don’t have the space to tell backstories and explain why the character is the way they are, and readers won’t even notice that you didn’t give them the backstory if you do your job right. Why? Because the characters thoughts and actions will tell the reader what kind of person they are at the time of the story, and that’s what matters when writing short.
PLOT:
When writing short, it’s my opinion that you need to keep things simple. By that I mean, only one plot (or dilemma) per story. No sub plots or secondary characters inching forward and maybe trying to steal the spotlight. Figure out what story you want to tell — and tell it.
Now why do I say plot or dilemma? Because the way I think of things is that short stories (10k and under) are about a situation or dilemma, but novellas can have a plot.
My rule is that short stories should never have a secondary story.
Novellas can have a continuing thread, if you are planning a series, or writing a novella to be a “between the books” treat for readers. Shiloh Walker does this very well. Her Hunter single titles are much more complex, yet she also write novella’s as part of the same series/line. They stand alone, but they are also part of a series simply by the association. Make sense?
Another great example is Janet Evanovich. Her Stephanie Plum series is a huge hit, but she only puts out one book a year. But recently she release Visions Of Sugar Plums and Plum Lovin’ as “between the numbers” books. Those two novellas have very simple storylines with no subplots.
In my mind I think of things like this.
Short stories are like a half hour sitcom. A situation.
Novellas are like the one-hour drama. Not the soap opera or Desperate housewives type that are serials, but more like Law and Order or The Closer or even Angel, Buffy and Firefly. Each show deals with ONE PLOT. These shows also have threads that continue all season, and underlay each episode, but that’s because they are continuing. Make sense?
Novels are like a feature film. The good ones have it all. Action, drama, emotion and resolution.
ACTION & RESOLUTION or PLOT?
My way of writing short stories and novellas is this.
I write the story not paying attention to word count at all. Just write it, if you need to have the characters back-story in it, and then write it in. If you need to describe them making their coffee and showering and doing every little thing, then do it. Myself, I tend to write short and sweet — okay maybe not sweet but you get what I mean. I tend to set the scene, complete with dialogue, and then move on. Yes, I’m always under my word counts.
The point is, write however is natural to you because voice and style are of major importance when it comes to writing short. Your voice and style is what will hook the reader and keep them reading. (But that’s another workshop)
Anyway, Just write it. Then decide what scenes need to be cut to hit your word count. (Or fleshed out) Go over the story and either add description, and action — layering in the treats. Or cutting back-story and “trimming the fat”
I don’t think short stories need plots. But that’s me. To me, a plot is not the conflict between characters, or even the situation they are in. To me, plot is the path the story takes over time. It’s the twists and turns and chain of events. So I find it hard to think of short stories as having “plots”.
I also think that if the writer thinks about what the READER wants from a short story, it helps. Basically, they want a good story.
I hope this helps you feel more comfortable writing short. I’ll be here all day to answer questions and chat, so please say hi, and feel free to grill me.
When writing short always try to remember The story is the cake. The rest is just icing…and as much as we all love icing, too much of it can ruin a good cake.
Q&A and Tips
A trick to try….
Take your synopsis (Do you have a syn? if not, then write up a quick one)
~ Eliminate needless characters. Double up on them so that each character has more than one purpose in the story.
~ Go over the syn with a highlighter, and highlight the aspects of it that most need to be shown. With short stories and novellas, there is more telling than showing, but you have to be selective and make sure the scenes you do “show” are key ones.
~ then write the Show ones. and put them all together.
Erin Asks:
When you say “one dilemma” do you mean there can’t be a relationship dilemma thrown in with an outside dilemma?
An example, if you don’t mind. My story that I just sent off is to be a series titled Forbidden. They are vampires forbidden to change the Chosen to vampires. (Of course they do) In the story, the ‘dilemma’ is the Hunters after them, generally, but there are also plot conflicts wtih the H/h having to deal with their love being a vampire.
Answer:
If they playoff each other, then that’s fine. BUT, I think it all depends on the length of your story. If you’re writing a 5 or 6k short story, then it’s my opinion that you’re cheating the reader by trying to put too much in such a short space. How can they get emotionally invested if they’re too busy trying to follow a complicated plot? And above all, readers want to become emotionally invested in your characters and your story.
I’m going to assume that you’re writing a novella and not a short story? Either way, the whole Vampire thing can be summed up pretty quick, (like you just did) so I’d not call it a plot, I’d call it a thread. Especially since it’s a series..and that thread is the same through them all – right? The situation/or dilemma IS the relationship.
If you’re not writing a romance short story, but a horror one, then the dilemma would be a different one. It might be survival, or the hunt…but in a romance genre story, always remember the relationship is what readers are looking for.
Sienna Asks:
1) How do you keep your short story plots/dilemmas from becoming too simplistic and feeling boring and so similar to all the other short stories?
I always feel mine are too boring and simple no matter how much characterization I put in.
2) Erin covered this one as well. With one dilemma in a short story it’s hard to cover the romance, etc dilemmas needed unless you combine the two. How do you go about mixing them and if they’re not a mixture how do you go about working both into such a short space?
Answer:
If you feel that “no matter how much characterization” you put in, the story is still simplistic and boring then chances are your characters are simplistic and boring. Maybe you need to find what makes your character unique, and apply that the situation.
Again, you need to keep the dilemma simple for short stories. Especially in a romance story, because readers read romance for the relationships, not the big plots. (Not short stories anyway). Readers don’t expect big plots in short stories, but they do expect to be drawn into the characters and made to feel the emotions.
The biggest problem writers have with short stories is that they think too big. Stop that! It’s a SHORT STORY, think “what is the most important thing I want to tell?” Do not mistake a situation for a plot. In Erin’s Vampire example, the fact that one is a hunter and one is a Vampire, or they’re not supposed to change the Chosen, that’s not plot…that’s premise. That’s a thread….and setting it up should not take long. The STORY is the characters, and how they deal with their relationship.
Jasmine Asks:
I want to write short, I really do. I’d love to churn out a story or two that were focused. I just can’t seem to do it. I start writing the the characters take me away and before I know it, I’ve got 10K of what’s going to be a great story…but no way in heck it’ll be “short”.
1) What are some examples of small enough dilemmas that can be explored in a short story?
2) Is the relationship dilemma always the same in a romantic short, the can I trust you question?
Answer:
Some writers will never be able to write short. So, that is something to think about.
Aside from that, if you are determined to write short, the answer is simple. Control yourself.
Before you start writing, decide what the story is you want to tell. You don’t have to write it out, but in your head, know what the story will be. Then write it. Don’t let yourself be “carried away” by your characters.
It’s my opinion, – and feel free to cry bullshit if you want to – but it’s my opinion that if a writer is letting herself get carried away so much that the story isn’t getting told, then the writer doesn’t know what story they’re trying to tell. If you’re losing your focus, maybe you never had it to start with?
You can use any dilemma in a short story. It’s all in how you write it.
AND, no the relationship dilemma is NOT always the same. Be unique, and keep the relationship problems/dilemmas true to your characters.
Examples:
I’ll use several of my own short stories as examples.
My short story MEANDROS is probably my mostly unique.
The story: A new widow travels to Greece to mourn her husband.
Dilemma: He was the love of her life, how can she go on without him?
You’d THINK this story would be about her finding another man. But it’s not. It’s the story of her mourning, and the magic her husband had given her. It’s full of flashbacks, and extremely emotional. The story is now available as a FREE DOWNLOAD on the EXTRAS page, under Erotic Fiction. And, you can read a very good summary and review of it here: Mrs.Giggles review of MEANDROS
You read the introduction with Amanda Carrington. Her story is HANDLING AMANDA in the Black Lace anthology Wicked Words 9.
The Story: An office bitch gets her comeuppance.
The dilemma: When Jacob, the office stud, bends her over the desk and spanks her, she likes it – and wants more. But she doesn’t really like HIM.
ABDUCTION, is one of my short stories, it was previously published by AQP, but it currently unavailable. Oh, and it’s a sci-fi.
The story: Earth man gets abducted by female alien, to be her stud.
The dilemma: Max wakes up on strange space ship and is told he’ll never see earth again. But he’s healed (He was deaf) and his captor is very hot and sexy.
LOSING IT (is a Bonus Read in the back of MY PREROGATIVE)
The story: A new caterer gets the opportunity to impress an important client, by catering a bachelor party and making it special.
The dilemma: Lacy (the caterer) has always had a crush on Matt (the client) since the first time she saw him. Can she do the job without letting the attraction get in the way?
But as you can see, you don’t have to stick with Boy meets girl, or trust, or even childhood sweethearts. It’s a pet peeve of mine when I hear writers say the best way to write a complete short story or novella is to have the character know each other already. To me, that’s not true at all, and it limits the writers imagination. Anything is possible, if you focus.
Hope Asks:
My natural writing style is very detailed with action and description. Is it all right to do a novella by simply coming up with a plot which is 1/4 the length and complexity of my novels, thus attaining the correct length without changing my normal style?
Also, is the market out there strong enough for non-erotic romance novellas to make it worth while?
Answer:
You should definitely NOT change your style just because you’re writing a different length. For a couple of reasons. Number one is your style usually comes from your natural strengths, and by trying to change it, it’s possible you weaken your writing. Also, readers tend to expect a certain style from authors, that’s why they’ll buy a book by their favorite author, even if it’s a sub-genre they don’t normally enjoy. My advice is stick with your style and your strengths …and just be choosy about WHICH scenes you focus on and make very detailed, and keep the “transitional” ones very tight.
The market, Right now I only write erotic romance, so I really know about it more than others. I know Publishers like Samhain (and I think Cobblestone Press) are very interested in Novellas in ALL subgenres. Not just erotic romance or romance. With print it’s not as prevalent, but they are out there. As a reader I’ve read a couple of paranormal anthologies, and Kensington recently released a thriller anthology with Lisa Jackson, Wendy Corsi Staub and Beverly Barton. (Most Likely To Die). So while the print market for novellas, outside of romance, might not be very strong, it can happen. Go for it!
If you want to write novellas in a different genre, do not let the market dictate what you do. Maybe it’s not a trend or a big thing because no one’s done it yet.
The Key To Writing Short — summed up.
Many authors find writing short harder than long. While I am just the opposite, I think that the key to writing a good story, no matter what length, is to JUST WRITE IT. Then, after the core story is written, you trim the extras, and delete the excess. For me, after the core story is written, I go through it and find areas that need to be fleshed out. I have test readers who I send my novels to and say “Okay, anything that feels like it’s missing? Or where you feel I need to explain or describe more?” Because to me, writing short is easier than long.
It’s all about what works for you. As long as you don’t let yourself stress about it, and remember that you can always re-write and edit, then you’ll find what works for you.
Writing Short Workshop as done at Romance Diva’s.com.