Begin with a dialogue that is full of tension. Let the characters' words convey a sense of urgency or conflict right from the start. Say two characters are arguing about a secret that could change their lives, and the reader is instantly engaged in this high - stakes exchange, which throws them right into the action of the short story.
You can also use a very descriptive and immersive first paragraph that focuses on the action. Describe the movement, the sounds, and the chaos of a situation. Like if you're writing about a battle, detail the clashing of swords, the shouts of the soldiers, and the dust in the air. This makes the reader feel as if they are right there in the middle of the action.
Throwing the reader into the action can also set the tone for the whole story. If the start is action - packed, the reader expects the rest of the story to be full of excitement and adventure. It can also help to establish the main conflict early on. For example, starting with a fight scene can introduce the characters' differences and the reasons for their conflict right from the start.
Short stories could be published on major literature websites or literature platforms such as Qidian, Creation, Xiaoxiang, Yunqi, etc. These platforms all had a short story section where one could submit their works and wait for review. At the same time, they could also submit their works to other types of literary magazines or publishing houses, such as readers, Germinal, science fiction world, etc. However, it was important to note that different platforms and publishing houses had different requirements for the number of words and style of short stories.
Another one is 'The Red - Headed League'. It has a lot of action as Sherlock Holmes tries to solve a mysterious case. There are elements of intrigue, quick thinking, and a race against time which makes it action - packed. The twists and turns in the story are really exciting.
Start with a captivating opening scene. Build tension throughout and have clear goals for your characters. Also, make the action sequences vivid and easy to follow.
The climax is the most intense part and the rising action builds up to it. In a short story, a well - crafted climax and rising action can grip the reader's attention immediately. For example, in a mystery short story, the rising action can be the discovery of small clues one by one, creating suspense. The climax could be the moment when the detective finally reveals the killer. This makes the story effective as it keeps the reader engaged throughout.
Look for events that make the situation more complicated. If the story has a conflict, the rising action will be the events that heighten that conflict. For example, if the conflict is between two characters over a treasure, the rising action might be when they start to play tricks on each other to get closer to the treasure.
One key to writing an effective action short story is to focus on the sequence of events. You need to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. In the beginning, introduce the main character and the problem they face, like a hero who discovers a conspiracy against the city. In the middle, there should be a series of challenges and actions, such as the hero fighting off the conspirators' minions. At the end, resolve the conflict in a satisfying way, perhaps with the hero saving the city. Also, use powerful verbs to describe the action, like 'leap', 'dash', 'thrust' etc. It makes the story more engaging.
Use vivid descriptions of the events and characters' emotions. For example, if there's a conflict, describe how the characters feel angry or frustrated. This makes the rising action more engaging.
First, create a dynamic protagonist. For example, a fearless detective or a bold adventurer. Then, introduce a high - stakes conflict like a race against time to stop a bomb or a battle against a powerful enemy. Use vivid descriptions of the action, such as 'He ran, his feet pounding on the cobblestones as the bullets whizzed past his ears.' Keep the plot moving quickly and don't get bogged down in too much backstory.
Look for the part where the main conflict starts to get resolved. It usually comes right after the climax.