Short Story Writing

The following, I thought, is pertinent as well, for us to remember as we prepare our stories for the Anthology. Gloria

This is from: http://freelance-writing.lovetoknow.com/Selling_Short_Stories

Write Something Worth Selling

OK, so this might seem obvious, or like the kind of comment that doesn't really help much, but you need to understand at the outset that people are only going to pay money for stories that are well-written and intriguing on some level. Here are some things to keep in mind when you try to size up your work:

• Have a Definite Climax or Resolution – A short story needs to do what it is going to do quicker than a novel, so you need to get to the payoff soon. When you get there, it needs to be clear what is happening and why it is happening. Bounce your ideas off some good friends to see what their reaction is to your storyline, and revise accordingly.

• Characters – Your characters must evoke strong reactions, meaning they must be likable or unlikable. Most of all, they must be believable. Even if they are fantastical or mythical, they need to have motivations that readers can relate to. Otherwise, no one will care about what happens to them.

• Write With Your Senses – One of the best ways readers are drawn into stories is by feeling the writer's words. What does the scene smell like? What sounds are playing in the background? What does the material of the girl's dress feel like? Make sure your stories are full of vivid sensory details.

• Revise, Revise, Revise – Don't stop until you get it right. Some famous writers revise thirty or forty drafts before they submit the story for publication. Great writing takes a lot of work, so don't be afraid to keep working on a story to get it perfect.