I've spent the weekend reading hundreds of #shortstories. This a quick thread on what I spotted and what *I* think stories that go through to the next round do well. Hugely subjective, of course but...
1. Know their purpose
Stories with a clear purpose from the outset really shine through from those which are well-written (around 99%). These pieces are stories, rather than extracts, outlines, descriptions or something else.
So first ask yourself is this a story?
Stories with a clear purpose from the outset really shine through from those which are well-written (around 99%). These pieces are stories, rather than extracts, outlines, descriptions or something else.
So first ask yourself is this a story?
2. Consistency in tone, voice, perspective and tense
This helps to keep the reader immersed in the world. Countless times, I noticed stories shifted in tone or tense which pulled me out of the world. Sometimes it was the use of a certain word/archaic language that didn't fit.
This helps to keep the reader immersed in the world. Countless times, I noticed stories shifted in tone or tense which pulled me out of the world. Sometimes it was the use of a certain word/archaic language that didn't fit.
3. Contained/ In the moment
This is a biggie and one to watch. Many stories begin with a moment and then launch into back story which weighs the story down. Write it out and then ask yourself what purpose is it serving. Cut most of it if you can.
This is a biggie and one to watch. Many stories begin with a moment and then launch into back story which weighs the story down. Write it out and then ask yourself what purpose is it serving. Cut most of it if you can.
4. Start at the right point
This doesn't have to be the beginning but your story must start at a critical moment. Many of them started too early so think about cutting that first para where you've written yourself into the story.
This doesn't have to be the beginning but your story must start at a critical moment. Many of them started too early so think about cutting that first para where you've written yourself into the story.
5. Leave plenty of clues
Readers don't know the world you've created like you do so you need to leave plenty of clues so they understand. There were some where I had no idea what was going on and felt (sadly) a bit lost.
Readers don't know the world you've created like you do so you need to leave plenty of clues so they understand. There were some where I had no idea what was going on and felt (sadly) a bit lost.
6. Considered shape and style
Another biggie. I love an experimental, playful story but if it lacks substance or is not really swrving a higher purpose than for me, it feels flat. The shape and style must work for the piece not purely to be different.
Another biggie. I love an experimental, playful story but if it lacks substance or is not really swrving a higher purpose than for me, it feels flat. The shape and style must work for the piece not purely to be different.
7. Precision
There's just not enough words in a short story to waffle on. The best among the pile used language carefully, with each word driving some aspect of the story forward. Technically a difficult thing to do!
There's just not enough words in a short story to waffle on. The best among the pile used language carefully, with each word driving some aspect of the story forward. Technically a difficult thing to do!
8. Understood subtext
Getting dialogue right is tough but the stories that shone were where writers really understood how dialogue works, when to use it and why, and captured the natural rhythm of speech. Tip: we often say a lot using few words.
Getting dialogue right is tough but the stories that shone were where writers really understood how dialogue works, when to use it and why, and captured the natural rhythm of speech. Tip: we often say a lot using few words.
9. Polished
Eek. Obviously another biggie but this year I was particularly ruthless with missing words, spelling anf grammatical errors, odd typos, formatting issues. For a comp, check your work twice over and then check it again.
Eek. Obviously another biggie but this year I was particularly ruthless with missing words, spelling anf grammatical errors, odd typos, formatting issues. For a comp, check your work twice over and then check it again.
10. Originality with subject and title
I love a great title but more so, I love a story that is completely different to what I've just read. Hard to know what others are sending in but avoid the obvious. This year there was plenty on lockdown, betrayal, loss and ageing.
I love a great title but more so, I love a story that is completely different to what I've just read. Hard to know what others are sending in but avoid the obvious. This year there was plenty on lockdown, betrayal, loss and ageing.
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