SHORT STORY short piece of fiction aiming at

SHORT STORY § short piece of fiction aiming at unity of characterization, theme and effect

SHORT STORY § an invented prose narrative shorter than a novel usually dealing with a few characters and aiming at unity of effect and often concentrating on the creation of mood rather than plot

ELEMENTS OF A SHORT STORY: 1. Plot 2. Characters 3. Setting 4. Theme 5. Point of view 6. Style

PLOT Ø Sequence of events; framework of the story Ø nucleus of the story Ø Consists of: - Conflict - Climax - Denoument - Ending the

CHARACTERS Ø person, or sometimes even an animal, who takes part in the action of a short story. Ø Short stories use few characters. Ø One character is clearly central to the story with all major events having some importance to this character.

SETTING Ø The setting of a short story is the time and place in which it happens. Authors often use descriptions of landscape, scenery, buildings, seasons or weather to provide a strong sense of setting.

THEME Øthe central idea or belief in a short story. It is the author's underlying meaning or main idea that he is trying to convey. The theme may be the author's thoughts about a topic or view of human nature.

POINT OF VIEW Ø The perspective from which a story is told Ø A story is narrated from a single, consistent point of view. Ø Most short stories are told from one of the three basic points of view: *first person *omniscient point of view *limited omniscient point of view

STYLE Ø Way how the author presents an event in a particular story Ø How can an author express himself in a literary work? * Diction * Syntax * Imagery * Symbolism

STEPS: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Write a catchy first paragraph Develop the characters Choose a point of view Write a meaningful dialogue Use setting and context Set up the plot Create conflict and tension Build to crisis or climax Find a resolution

Write a catchy first paragraph I heard my neighbor through the wall. The neighbor behind us practiced scream therapy in his shower almost every day. STEP 1 of 9

Develop the characters Four important areas: q Appearance q. Action q. Speech q. Thought STEP 2 of 9

Reveal a character through PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Other guys walking through the hallway were taller and even more handsome, but there was something about Billy Belaire. His arms swung loose at his side and his dark hair was long and pulled back behind his head, held by a rubber band. The dark jacket he wore was straight out of the local thrift shop, she could tell, but the way he wore it suggested a sense of pride, or at least a lack of caring what others thought about him.

Reveal a character through ACTIONS As Kevin moved down the street his feet made a steady echo sound against the pavement. He whistled despite the loud rumble of the traffic and the car horns. When someone yelled out the window of his or her car to watch where he was going, he just waved back like he was watching a best friend heading home. He passed by the garbage on the sidewalk and the old woman pushing the shopping cart filled with newspaper, and continued to smile as he headed toward Cindy’s house. Nothing could erase that smile from his face, not even the coldness of the streets he called home.

Reveal a character through DIALOGUE “I ain’t gonna leave you here, Ma’am. . . not with you needin’ help and all, ” Jimmy said as he walked back to his truck to get the jack. “I’d help anybody who needed it; my momma taught me better’en to just leave people. The good Lord’ll make it up to me. ” “I don’t know. . . , ” Linda stuttered. She had barely rolled down her window to hear Jimmy when he had left his pick-up truck and offered help. “You know what they say about your kind. . . ”

Reveal a character through THOUGHTS He began to remember when he was a freshman in high school. The seniors really thought they were something back then, always trying to play their little pranks on the ninth graders. He knew at that moment he couldn’t be one of those kinds of people. He walked over to Jeff and Larry to tell them it was time to stop.

Choose a point of view • First Person • Second Person • Third Person STEP 3 of 9

POINT OF VIEW First Person I saw a tear roll down his cheek. I had never seen my father cry before. I looked away while he brushed the offending cheek with his hand. Second Person You laughed loudly at the antics of the clown. You clapped your hands with joy. Third Person He ran to the big yellow loader sitting on the other side of the gravel pit shack.

Write a meaningful dialogue “Where are you going? ” John cracked his knuckles while he looked at the floor. “To the race track. ” Mary edged toward the door, keeping her eyes on John’s bent head. “Not again, ” John stood up, flexing his fingers. “We are already maxed out on our credit cards. ” STEP 4 of 9

Write a meaningful dialogue “Where are you going? ” John asked nervously. “To the racetrack, ” Mary said, trying to figure out whether John was too upset to let her get away with it this time. “Not again, ” said John, wondering how they would make that month’s rent. “We are already maxed out on our credit cards. ” STEP 4 of 9

Write a meaningful dialogue John sat up and took a deep breath, knowing that his confrontation with Mary had to come now, or it would never come at all. “Wh– where are you going? ” he stammered nervously, staring at his Keds. STEP 4 of 9

Write a meaningful dialogue John sat up. “Wh– where are you going? ” “Where are you going? ” John stammered, staring at his Keds. Deep breath. Now or never. “Where are you going? ” STEP 4 of 9

Use Setting and Context üOur sojourn in the desert was an educational contrast with its parched heat, dust storms, and cloudless blue sky filled with the blinding hot sun. The rare thunderstorm was a cause for celebration as the dry cement tunnels of the aqueducts filled rapidly with rushing water. Great rivers of sand flowed around and through the metropolitan inroads of man’s progress in the greater Phoenix area, forcefully moved aside for concrete and steel structures. Palm trees hovered over our heads and saguaro cactuses saluted us with their thorny arms. STEP 5 of 9

Set up the Plot A plot is a series of events deliberately arranged so as to reveal their dramatic, thematic, and emotional significance. –Jane Burroway STEP 5 of 9

Set up the Plot § § § § § Explosion or Hook Conflict Exposition Complication Transition Flashback Climax Falling Action Resolution STEP 5 of 9

Build to a Crisis or Climax This is the turning point of the story- the most exciting or dramatic moment. The crisis may be a recognition, a decision or a resolution. The character understands what hasn’t been seen before, or realizes what must be done, or finally decides to do it. STEP 5 of 9

Find a resolution a. Open Brendan’s eyes looked away from the priest and up to the mountains. b. Resolved While John watched in despair, Helen loaded up the car with her belongings and drove away. c. Parallel to the beginning They were driving their 1964 Chevrolet Impala down the high way while the wind blew through their hair. Her father drove up in a new 1964 Chevrolet Impala, a replacement for the one that burned up. STEP 5 of 9

Find a resolution d. Monologue I wish Tom could have known Sister Dalbec’s prickly guidance before the dust devils of sin city battered his soul. e. Dialogue f. Literal Image The aqueducts were empty now and the sun was shining once more. g. Symbolic Image Looking up at the sky, I saw a cloud cross the shimmering blue sky above us as we stood in the morning heat of Sin City. STEP 5 of 9

About Style • • Show 'em, don't tell 'em. Be selective. Watch your step with point of view. Write strong. Keep writing strong. End the story gloriously. Caution: don't overwrite.

About Structure • Tell a story. • Don't be overly predictable. • Conflict is an absolute necessity of fiction short or long. Otherwise, what's the difference? • Built into that last statement is the concept of consequence.

About Truth • • • Be significant. Lighten up. Respect your reader's intelligence. Avoid gimmicks. Write with authority; that's why you're called an author.

About Truth • • • Use your imagination, and lie. Don't be afraid of the dark. Respect your characters. Read your words aloud. All writers rewrite.

Tips in Writing Short Story Enjoy the process of writing Never give up. Don't panic- Sarah Waters Start small and go for detail. Maintain a healthy imagination Healthy body + healthy mind = better writing and story telling • Read everything- Michael Moorcock • Protect the time and space in which you write. Zadie Smith • • •

• Don't plan the ending. - Rose Tremain • Always carry a notebook- Will Self • Work on a computer that is disconnected from the internet- Zadie Smith • Listen to the criticisms and preferences of your trusted readers- Rose Tremain • Be your own editor/critic. - Joyce Carol Oates.