Zen…

Stories are the doors to human hearts. Whether it’s in business or anything else, storytelling is a basic skill everyone needs to be able to communicate effectively. It’s a good marketing tool. A good story teller is one who is able to influence his audience to actions through emotions.

Short stories: they’re works of prose fiction which is written to impart a moral, capture a moment or evoke a certain mood. A good one has all or either of these; plot, character, pacing, story structure etc

Short stories ranges from 5 words to 30k words (could be micro/ flash fiction, normal short stories or novellas which can be up to 40 – 50k words)

Types of short stories

1. Anecdote: a brief account of something used to support a point. More like parables, remember parable of the 10 virgins in the Bible and many others?

2. Drabble: short story of 100 words. Usually to test an authors skill in being able to write a meaningful story in a few lines.

3. Feghoot: a fun short story which ends in a pun. Eg During church recession last Sunday we were supposed to be have our head to the hymns and our hearts to the rhythms but Jane let out a big fart and distorted the entire dedication.

4. Fable: the use of animals to tell a story. They’re almost the same with parables except it’s mainly animal characters eg the tortoise and the fox

5. Flash fiction: very short but impactful eg for sale, baby shoes never worn by Ernest Hemingway. A story of grief, child loss.

6. Sketch: doesn’t contain a plot, most times it aims at illuminating a character, a setting or location.

7. Vignette: short scene which could be part of a long body work eg an excerpt or a scene used to capture a single moment or a story element like an idea or object.

A good story needs;

1. a clearly defined mood or feelings: a genre – humor/ romance/ mystery/ horror. An idea – adultery/ childbirth/ life lessons. Emotions – loss/ grief/ joy. It could be a combination of everything but must be clear and properly understood.

2. Clearly descriptive language: if you’re using pigeon language, Uk or USA English, stick to it. Don’t try to mix it unless it’s intentional ( to portray a character or something)

3. Small cast of character: your main character and a supporting character is enough.

4. Solid point of view (POV): know from the beginning how you want to communicate your story to your readers. Whether it’s in first, second or third person, pick the right one for the right story and make sure it properly pictures your story.

How do you start a story?

1. Read plenty of short stories: this opens your mind, expands your creativity.

2. Write the basic idea in one sitting or by outlining (whichever that works for you) identify your protagonist and his mission in your story.

3. Remember, your first line must be compelling enough to keep your readers hooked. Understanding your idea, your character, his mission and obstacles… should set the story up.

4. Begin with conflicts: a problem to be solved, a missing item to be found or whatsoever way you can get your readers interested in taking a journey with you.

5. Research, expand the story by story boarding your idea.

6. Tighten your story: no loose ends please. Keep it straight forward but finely detailed, simple and easy to sift through, fun, intriguing and creative while giving us a lesson to take away.

7. Edit after writing: Always polish your drafts.

Courtesy of master class by Dan Brown and Neil Gaiman.