First, have a clear idea or theme in mind. Build your story around it, make the plot engaging and keep the language simple yet evocative. Also, pay attention to the ending - it should be memorable.
I'd recommend 'The Writer's Guide to Crafting Stories for Children' by Nancy Lamb and 'Writing Short Stories: The Complete Guide' by John Hough. They provide useful strategies and examples for crafting compelling short stories.
One of the top choices could be 'On Writing Short Stories' by Tom Bailey. It offers clear and practical advice for beginners and experienced writers alike.
I'd recommend 'On Writing Short Stories' by Tom Bailey. It covers all the essential elements like plot, characters, and dialogue in a clear and practical way.
To write the best short story, start with a compelling idea. Make your characters relatable and give them clear goals. Keep the plot simple but engaging, and have a strong ending.
I'd recommend 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant and 'Hills Like White Elephants' by Ernest Hemingway. They offer lessons in character development and concise yet impactful prose.
You might want to check out 'Writing Short Stories: A Writers' and Artists' Companion' by Courttia Newland and Tania Hershman. It provides insights from different authors and includes helpful examples and prompts.
One of the highly recommended books is 'On Writing Short Stories' by various authors. It offers practical tips and diverse examples to help you master the art.
To write the best open - ended short short stories, start with a strong concept. It could be a moral dilemma or a strange event. For instance, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the couple's selfless love leading to a seemingly ironic situation. Then, use dialogue effectively. In 'Hills Like White Elephants', the dialogue between the couple is crucial in creating the open - ended feel. Don't be afraid to leave things ambiguous. Let the readers draw their own conclusions. And build tension throughout the story. In 'The Lottery', the build - up of the lottery process creates a sense of unease and the open - ended ending makes the reader think about the implications of the village's tradition.
First, have a clear idea or concept. It could be a single event, a character's unique experience or a simple emotion. Then, create interesting characters. Even in a short story, characters need to be vivid, with their own personalities, goals and flaws. Next, focus on the plot. Keep it simple and concise, usually with a beginning, middle and end. For example, start with an interesting situation to hook the reader, build tension in the middle, and resolve it at the end.
Start with an interesting idea. Build characters that readers can relate to. Plan the plot carefully and make it engaging. Keep the language simple and clear.