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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11454-The-Benefits-of-Writing-Short-Stories.html
Short Stories: July 13, 2022 Issue [#11454]




 This week: The Benefits of Writing Short Stories
  Edited by: Lilli 🧿 ☕ Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

“Write a short story every week. It's not possible to write 52 bad short stories in a row.”
~ Ray Bradbury


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

So, why should you be bothered to write short stories?

*Reading* 1. For practice, exercise, and to find your voice

When you write short stories on a regular basis, you will become better at writing. It’s an ideal way to hone your craft, practice, and exercise.

While you are in your creative playground writing a short story, you’re better able to find your writing voice and style.

You can play around with characters and train yourself to create well-rounded personalities. Besides that, you learn to create a good plot, suspense, structure, and dialogue.

The main difference between a short story and a novel is the length. The shorter length forces you to put all elements of a good story in fewer words. With the benefit of not having to plan at length and not having to complicate things.

Writing short stories may even help you become better at editing yourself.


*Reading* 2. To find your genres and themes

With every short story, you can try new genres and themes. You can experiment with fables, romance, regular drama, etc. Try writing something you may not be familiar with to challenge yourself and grow.

This way, you’ll find what you like to write about and in which genre. What works for you? How can you best convey your message and your ideas?

Short stories are great to convey your thoughts on societal issues. Additionally, you get to further your understanding of different topics and themes. This will make you help make you a better writer.


*Reading* 3. To try out new ideas in a short story.

“I like to write short stories more because I never met a writer who wasn't lazy. And a short story is, by its very definition, short. It is something that generally you can turn out in a week to two weeks depending on how well it goes for you. But, at the same time, it gives the same satisfaction of creating a complete world.” ~ Stephen King

With a novel, you work with one main idea. One main story and one set of characters.

With short story writing, you get to explore different universes, themes, stories, and characters every time. This is great to train your idea muscle!

Keep a notebook/app for your ideas. These could be fragments, character sketches, quotes, or anything, which you can use for a short story. I like to keep a list of topics that fascinate me and that I want to explore. Then, when I start writing I try them out.

Short stories can keep your creative spark burning.


*Reading* 4. To see if a potential novel idea works

Pay attention to the feedback, suggestions, and questions you receive about your short stories.

Why? Because your short stories could turn into something more. Hugh Howey, the author of the Wool series, first published a novella. His fans were so adamant for him to turn it into a novel and he listened. It’s one of those self-publishing success stories.

So use your shorts as a pool of inspiration. They could be origin stories to a novel. You could develop a new kind of world in which you’d like to play out different stories. Maybe you fall in love with a character whom you think should deserve a novel.


*Reading* Conclusion

I'm sure these points only scratch the surface and you could probably come up with even more yourself.

I hope you’ll continue to experiment with short story writing!

“A short story is a different thing altogether – a short story is like a quick kiss in the dark from a stranger.”
~ Stephen King


Editor's Picks

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Beyond the Threshold Open in new Window. (18+)
A book collector searches for a priceless diary that once belonged to an infamous witch.
#2276248 by Dalimer Corwyn Author IconMail Icon


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This item number is not valid.
#2276216 by Not Available.


 
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Sid & Mabel's Diamond Wedding Open in new Window. (18+)
Sid is determined Mabel will enjoy her best wedding anniversary ever - British Spellings!
#2276073 by Christopher Roy Denton Author IconMail Icon


 
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Jezebel's Diary Open in new Window. (13+)
Morgan buys a witch's diary.
#2276034 by Beholden Author IconMail Icon


 
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Three Wishes Open in new Window. (13+)
Three wishes from a Genie. What could go wrong? 1400 words
#2275920 by s Author IconMail Icon


 
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No one is coming to save you Open in new Window. (E)
a story about heroes
#2275760 by mylifelittlesecrets Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

brom21 Author Icon wrote:
"Thank you for summarizing and explicating the components of drama. It was interesting how you differentiated between comedy and tragedy comedy. It's kind of like Guardians of the Galaxy, albeit it leans more on the serious side. Thanks for the NL!"

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