How to Write a Short Story You Can Submit And Get Published!

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By Kevin Quinlan
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While not anyone can do it, everyone can try. Writing is a craft that takes years to perfect and even longer to get published. Here is how you can get started on writing your own short story!

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Pen and Paper or Computer
An Imagination

Step 1

Think of an idea for your short story that will cover a short period of time and limited number of characters.
Step 2

Write down the sequenece of events to help outline and structure your short story before you actually start writing. For example, Nancy runs home and finds her husband missing. Police are involved to help with the search, etc
Step 3

Fill in each section with the details of the short story making sure to add believable dialogue, interesting characters and a well planned plot.
Step 4

Once done reread your short story out loud to yourself and make edits as needed.
Step 5

Put the short story away and revisit it again in a few days. Reread at that time and make any changes needed.
Step 6

This is more of an optional step, but if you feel confident with your story, check for places that you can submit your short story to and get published!

Tips & Warnings

Short stories should only have a few characters that have one main action in a short period of time
Do not try to do to much in such a small writing form
Flash Fiction is generally considered less than 1000 words and short stories can go from 1000 to 5000 words

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