The short story is a narrative prose that must be concise, to-the-point, lucid (void of ambiguities), and highly organized. It is centred on one event with limited setting.
Much work is done in a short story. It is a sharpened, focused organised idea or thought developed by employing some elements or tools of the form of the written expression.
Elements of the short story:
- theme
- characterisation
- setting
- plot
- point of view
All the above we have looked at previously while treating the elements of literature. However, because the short story is supposed to be read at a sitting, the narrative must be organised after the invention (offloading of author’s inspiration on paper, laptop, etc.). The organization will take on the pre-writing which would include:
- analysing your topic: thinking/examining/scrutinizing critically your idea,
- rereading your put down thoughts, you will definitely see flaws that you would want to rework,
- New avenues of development shall definitely appear,
- The need to research more into your idea would emerge,
- The need to create new aspects of your ideas in the course of your diligent and applied thought would also manifest,
- The details of your work must be correct and the conclusion you draw at the end of your work must be convincing and remarkable.
Writing a short story is not as simple as it looks. It is not about being inspired and offloading the idea or story that came into your head.
Although, it is good to offload, or get the story that dropped into your mind down on your laptop, system, paper, or handheld device. The actual work starts after you are done offloading the story. You will be your first editor.
Leave the story for a while, and then revisit it. Leave the story again for a while, and revisit it again. A lot of reworking is done in writing. Some of your thought processing would be discarded in the course. You will erase some things, rearrange, change, cross out, etc., some original ideas or thought patterns.
Although diction or style does not make the major elements of a short story, diction (the choice of words) cannot be ignored. It is a great idea to put down sudden inspirations and ideas, but go back and look at your first sentences very critically.
Weak opening sentences have the power to chase away a reader! So, writers must shoot for perfection in this area. Opening sentences or intro must be built with strong concrete words. Words carry the meaning of ideas or themes.
Because of this, writers must work hard to create a blend between ideas and words – this is perfection in writing. Therefore, if you are interested in writing, engage yourself often in analyzing other people’s literary works.
Note that the central idea of a short story must be as close to the beginning of the story as possible.
Plot in a short story embodies structure which carries the exposition, rising action, conflict or crisis, climax, then the falling element and finally the resolution.
It is very important for the writer to have a work plan. Be your own critic. Look for these elements in your story. Appraise yourself. Don’t be too quick to rush to the publishers. Take your time and give another person or persons (preferably people who engage in literary activities), to read your work, and to appraise it too.
Note also that the setting must be close to the beginning of the story. Conflict must be lucid. Characterization must be understood to have something to do with character development. What impact does characterization have on plot development?
Of course point of view is important because the narrator’s background, education, state of mind, etc., can affect the outcome of the story.
The short story is made up of three parts. These are: the introduction, the body and the conclusion.
The introduction or the beginning of the short story must have a kind of a summary of what the story is all about. The central idea is introduced here. Readers have no patience to follow a writer on the rigmarole of long tale before getting to the point.
The middle or the body of the story is where the central idea is developed with actions or activities performed by the main character and an antagonist(s). This is where the plot structure is worked.
Finally, the resolution or conclusion is where thoughts are gathered together, the conflict (s) is resolved.
The nature of the short story does not make room for superfluous materials.
- Pay attention to patterns and motifs in a short story. Pay attention to words and images that are related.
- Plot is usually a single plot.
- A single setting covers a short period.
- Your main character must be identified early in the story. Limited numbers of characters are used in short stories.
- Point of view: the narrative voice must be identifiable from the onset.
As in fiction writing generally, words are the tools for the construction of literary work. A good command of the language you are writing in is a great boost to your story.
Happy practising!
