Trim the excess. First drafts often have a lot of unnecessary words or descriptions. If a paragraph can be summed up in a few sentences without losing the essence, do it. This makes the story more concise and engaging.
First, check if the plot has a clear beginning, middle, and end. If it seems muddled, try to identify the main events and reorder them. For instance, if the climax occurs too early, it might be better to build up more tension before it.
In first draft short stories, a frequent error is inconsistent tone. For instance, starting as a light - hearted story and then suddenly becoming too serious without a proper transition. Another mistake is over - explaining things. Writers may not trust the reader enough to understand what's going on, so they end up spelling out every little detail. Poorly defined settings can also be an issue. If the reader can't picture the location clearly, it detracts from the overall story experience.
Read it aloud. This helps you catch awkward phrasings and areas where the flow is off. For example, if you stumble while reading a sentence, it might need to be rephrased. Another way is to get feedback from others. They can point out things you might have missed, like plot holes or uninteresting parts.
Start with an idea or a theme. Outline the main plot points and characters. Just let your imagination flow freely and don't worry too much about getting it perfect at first.
When writing a first draft short story, the most important thing is to start writing. Just let your ideas flow. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. A simple but effective element is dialogue. It can bring your characters to life. For instance, if two characters are arguing, the way they talk can show their personalities. Also, think about the conflict in the story. It could be internal, like a character's struggle with their own fears, or external, like a battle against a villain. This conflict drives the story forward.
Just start writing! Don't worry about being perfect. Let your ideas flow freely and get them down on paper. That's the key to getting that first draft.