Writing Short Stories?

[nickimacrae]

(sorry, with the internet issues I am having ATM, I can see that Damsels is going to become my Google! :doh:)

Just an idle wondering really, but when you write a short story is there a conventional length that a short story is supposed to be? You know, are they 'supposed' to be a certain length? Or are they as long as they turn out? :puzzled:

I have set myself a little challenge today and don't know where the challenge ends! :lol: :loco:

[Skibunny]

I think it's just a how long is a piece of string question really. You could google some publishers and see what limits they set if you're looking for a specific deadline.

Skibunny
xx

[scrobble]

What's your challenge? I love writing short stories and think my mojo is back so should get started on them again...

Mine vary loads in length - they finish when I decide they finish - they usually seem to come to a 'natural' end one way or another.

[nickimacrae]

What's your challenge? I love writing short stories and think my mojo is back so should get started on them again...



Just to see if I can wrote a short story!! :lol: :loco: I have no idea why I have a bee in my bonnet about 'writing stuff' ATM, I guess I just want to challenge myself? :puzzled:

OK, so I guess there's no rules then :teehee: I'm sorry to ask such a daft question, I have absolutely *no* idea about this stuff! :doh: :oops:

Scobble, what sort of stuff do you write about then, out of pure nosiness?

SB I would google, but I'm having terrible internet issues ATM, and can basically only just here and Facebook ATM. PITA :sigh:

[klosie]

It depends if you are trying to sell it. If so, then again it depends on your market; are you a famous author writing for an anthology, or (more likely! :lol: ) writing for a magazine, and if so, how many pages does that magazine dedicate to the short story blah blah blah.

But I think the most important part is that you have written everything you need to write.

Many contests are for shorter stories rather than novel or novella-length works. The term “Flash Fiction” applies generally to stories of around 1000 words, but is often applied to anything between 200 and 2000 words. Lately in many cases, the term Flash Fiction has incorporated the “Short-short story” (500-2000 words) guideline and this term may begin to fall away.

A “Short Story” is usually considered to be between 1000 and 7500 words. In years past “Novellette” took the 7500 to 15000 word slot and a “Novella” was between 15000 and 40000 words. However, many publications will specify guidelines for “short stories up to 15000”, and the term “novelette” may be falling away also.

http://www.hearwritenow.com/articles/writing/length.htm

['Line]

If you get hold of a copy of the Writer's and Artist's yearbook it gives you all the details of every publication/publisher etc and what they want or don't want.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CLShWZk4L._SL160_AA115_.jpg (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Writers-Artists-Yearbook-Black-Publishers/dp/1408111276/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255972893&sr=1-1)
Amazon have it but most bookshops do it too. I used to get it when I was in my 'writing phase' but I must admit I haven't tried anything for ages - I need inspiration!!!

HTH xx

[nickimacrae]

Klosie, thanks for that, that makes sense! And :lol: about selling it, I don't think I'd be capable of writing anything that good :teehee:

Line I've had that book mentioned on a previous thread :nod: As I say I'm not sure I could write well enough to have something published, I'm just keen to challenge myself to try something. I guess I was just wondering if under X words is to short to be a 'short story' and where a short story stops being a short story and starts being a novel! :lol: But I think I get it now :nod:

I've most of the way through "what I want to say" but finding it tough now! :faint: But I ahve got to finish it now havn't I? Even if it ends up being a bit of a rubbish ending? Just to say I did it and didn't quit? :thumb:

And :oops: :oops: :oops:

I've realised I have NO IDEA about structure when people are talking - I don't know when to start splitting it into separate lines. I can't decide if I didn't *listen* at school, or if we simply weren't taught that? :puzzled: :shrug:

Thanks for the help ladies! :flowers:

[klosie]

I definitely don't think you need to finish a short story in one sitting. Writing is exhausting. Jot down bullet points of the rest of what you say and pick it up tomorrow, the day after, next week.

The great thing about a short story is that often it can simply be a snapshot of something larger. Of course, often that is not always the case. But why can't you just finish it where you want to now? I wouldn't want to force a rubbish ending.

Good luck!

Oh and on that last point, do you mean dialogue?

[nickimacrae]

I definitely don't think you need to finish a short story in one sitting. Writing is exhausting. Jot down bullet points of the rest of what you say and pick it up tomorrow, the day after, next week.

The great thing about a short story is that often it can simply be a snapshot of something larger. Of course, often that is not always the case. But why can't you just finish it where you want to now? I wouldn't want to force a rubbish ending.

Good luck!

Oh and on that last point, do you mean dialogue?

Thanks Klosie :flowers:

Actually I have just finished it. I think I maybe need to read again tomorrow and see what I can improve, but the bones are there.

Its ended up at about 3500 words, so not very long really.

And yes, dialogue, couldn't think of the terminology! :doh: (doesn't bode well, does it? :teehee:)

[scrobble]

I just realised I didn't answer your question, sorry! I tend to write whatever I fancy, although it tends to be horror stories or stories with a twist/quirk/black humour.

[nickimacrae]

That sounds really interesting :grin: and very technical. Like you have to really know where you are going and then fill the flesh with as many words as it takes? :grin: