Short Stories

Short Stories

Reading is subjective, and so are the tastes/genres of the same. A certain group of people prefer reading something that is simple, neat and short and that is when “Short Stories” come into the picture. Short stories are basically 1,000 – 2,000 words article, which keeps the reader engaged. Short Stories can be of various genres such as Horror, Fantasy, Crime, Humor etc. The art of “Short Story” writing is a gift but one can always build it. Some of the well known “Short Story” writers are:

• JD Salinger
• Stephen King
• Henry
• John Updike
• Edgar Allen Poe
• Shashi Deshpande
• Ismat Chugtai
• Mulk Raj Anand
• Ruskin Bond
• Amrita Pritam
• Rajinder Singh Bedi.
• Mridula Koshy

The most essential things in a short story are the following and these must be taken at most care of.

• Story’s Focus
• Narrative Style
• Time Line
• Point of View
• Punch
• Dialogues
• Place/s
• People

Key Elements of a short story

• Setting: Tells the reader where the story takes place.
• Characterization:  Creating Imaginary people perhaps inspired by real life observations which are then believable characters that become REAL to the reader.
• The writer must therefore create, color and bring to life this/her characters by giving relevant information through the story. Characters drive the short story.
• Plot : A series of events through which the writer reveals what is happening to whom and why.
• Conflict :Is a problem in the story  that must be resolved
• Climax: When the action comes to its highest point of conflict
• Resolution: The story’s action after the climax until the end of the story. The ‘conclusion’ of the story.
• Theme: The story’s main ideas. The message the writer intends to communicate by telling the story.
• Point of view: The position of the narrator of the story and what the reader sees from that vantage point.

Narrative- The art of story telling

• There are two types of narrative – fiction and non fiction
• A narrative is a story with characters and there is a definite plot line. A narrative normally has a beginning, middle and an end.

Focus of the Story

• Where is it from? Does it have a history?
• Describe it visually
• See and observe the Location
• The Actual
• The View
• The Feeling
• The Suppositions
• Seeing the CHARACTERS: Breathing Life into them

Bringing life into the characters is the most important thing. As they say, “The Devil lies in the Details”, so it does. A detailed description of the characters of the story helps the readers to have a deeper understanding of the plot and keeps them interested.

Punch line of the story

—  Actions & Reactions

—  Twists & Turns in the story

—  Emotional Tension between characters

Narrative Style

—  First Person Narrative:

—  Writer narrates the story through the main character. ‘I will never forget that cold winter morning as I walked into Harrods…’

—  Second Person Narrative: Tough style – more for NF

—  Writer narrates the story in present tense as own. ‘You find it hard to forget that cold winter morning as you walk into Harrods.’

—  Third Person Narrative:

—  Writer narrates the story as a storyteller. ‘It was a cold winter morning when the Iyers walked into Harrods. They would never forget it.’

Descriptive

An effective written description is one that presents a clear picture to your reader.

• A successful description uses vivid vocabulary, including colorful adjectives and figurative language.
• An interesting description attracts the reader’s attention.
• Imagery helps you picture how something:

* looks

* sounds

* smells

* tastes

* feels

Exposition

• Exposition is writing that informs or explains( How to essay)

1. How to do something (“how to fly a kite”)
2. How to make something (“how to make a kite”)
3. How to improve a skill (“How to steer a kite”)
4. How to achieve a desired effect (“How to do a desired trick with a kite”)

• Consider your audience

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