I have a problem with writing short stories?

Question

I have tried before... but the stories end up being like 30+ pages instead of 2 or 5 pages. I just seem to go into too much detail. And it kills me not to go in deep. So what do I do?

Are there any tips to help with this? writing exercises maybe?

I want to be able to write shorter stories. Thank you!

btw, i know i should have posted this in the books and authors section, but some of the ppl in there... are just straight out d*cks. Sorry, but they are. Ppl in here seem to be of more help.

Answer 1

My short story was just that; a short story. To the point with no need to explain great detail or everything the character went through or did to get to the ending. I described 1 seance in the whole story, 'n I did it by describing certain parts of the room my character was in, only as they came up.

I understand that you feel the need to go into excessive detail, but there's really no need to. I know where this is coming from, so just to give a little suggestion, there's no need to do it in first-person. Honestly with a story like that it may be best to play the bad guy. (If you know what I'm talking about.) For short sorties I've always found it best to start off writing in second-person or whatever, rather than first.

Plus, using big words can often to longer sentences, as well as taking more time to get to your point. Short stories are basically you telling a clip-note's version of something happened, whether it be fact or fiction.

As for 'writing exercises'... Well, I think I found it a bit easy to go from poetry to short stories due to the poetry I wrote. (And write.) There were mostly short stories in poem form. It's kind of hard to describe or explain... Sorry.

But I hope this helps...

Answer 2

There are a few ideas you might try ...
First, let me say, however, that depth is good. Too often writers want to be too superficial with their characters and the conflict, so depth is good.
Now, for the story, a couple ideas:
Limit the number of characters you have. If you have a conflict between people, three characters would be the maximum. Look at some of Poe's or Steinbeck's short stories, always one, two or three characters, never more.
Next, limit the locations where the story takes place, usually a short story should only take place in one location, or two at the very most. Again, read some of the authors I've mentioned and see how they address the issue.
Finally, have only one conflict between the characters. this doesn't mean the characters can't have personality or be round characters, it means the issue is one thing, and one thing only. Do not develop multiple levels of conflict. Have the one, and that's it. For every conflict you want to add, remove one character.
Try these and see if it works, it should ...
and let us know how it turns out ...

Answer 3

Try novellas or novelets--they are longer but not novel length.
On the other hand, you could cut down description. In a short story the plot carries the story, and character is secondary. You don't need to make a character so deep, or go into the setting to any great extent.
For an exercise you could try writing stories that are just two or three paragraphs.

Answer 4

Give yourself a limited amount of time and try that out, like 15 minutes or something and see what you come up with. Or try to do one scene, picture a room that already exists, write all about what that room looks like, then when you write your story you know what the room looks like so you don't need to describe it, you can do that with characters (maybe people you know, so you don't have to describe them), because in a short story plot is usually the driving force. and descriptions don't matter as much.
I hope I was helpful at all. Good luck!

Answer 5

I am sure you will get better responses than this but I think one thing that helps with both prose and poetry is to put it aside for a while (hours, days, weeks), then come back to it. When I do that I often find plenty of things to re-word, enhance, or delete.
(just a suggestion)
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Answer 6

You alread got a lot of good answers, but also read other collections of short stories. You can learn a lot from that. Good luck!

Answer 7

jaja,

I always start with the ending. Then I just fill in the particulars around it. I find if I do it this way, it's easier for me to put in twists and shorten it up.

Steve

Answer 8

Understood, after reading your story ,try reversing the proses of celebrating . that's what editing is all about,we all need to condense our writings.