Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Tips on Writing and Selling Short Fiction by Jacqueline Seewald


I’ve written well over a hundred short stories, most of which have sold to paying markets and some of which have also been published as reprints.

My latest short story is a dark fiction piece featured in the current issue of HYPNOS MAGAZINE, (Volume 5, Issue 1), a print anthology.

http://radiumtownpress.com/store.html

I’ve learned some things that I believe help sell fiction and which I’ll share with you.

Tip One:

There are two ways to go about this. You can write for a specific market following their guidelines and requirements or you can write the story you want to write and then look for a market that is appropriate. I suggest the latter choice--unless you are specifically invited to submit your work by an editor for a themed anthology or magazine issue.

Tip Two:

You are unlikely to sell short stories unless you’ve read a great many of them. This will give you an instinctive grasp of the genre. If you don’t enjoy reading short stories, you shouldn’t bother writing them. It will show.

Tip Three:

 Don’t assume that because short stories are brief in length that they are easy to write. In reality, it takes discipline to write a good short story and sheer brilliance to write a great one. Short stories are focused works of fiction, just as Poe explained.

Tip Four:

You need to decide the type of short fiction you intend to write. Do you love literary short stories? Try then to write one of your own. Are you into speculative fiction? Do you enjoy science fiction, horror, or fantasy? Are you a mystery writer? Read some of the best both past and present before you attempt your own.  However, be aware that each genre has its own type of content and style. Mashups are acceptable, but first know the rules of each genre before you attempt to mix them. Do the research before you start to write.

Tip Five:

Whether writing short fiction or a novel, you need to consider the basics: plot, setting, characters, and theme. Analyze how they fit together in your story. One hint: limit the number of characters to just a few so you can develop each properly.

Tip Six:

Also consider point of view. For instance, who is telling the story? Will this story work best in first or third person? Why? Is the narrator sophisticated, jaded, innocent, naïve? The style and choice of language need to reflect these considerations.

Tip Seven:

When you finish writing your story, put it away for a while and go on to another project. Wait at least one month, then reread and revise as needed. You are now the editor. You will see the need for changes and improvements.

Tip Eight:

When you are ready to submit your story for publication, carefully read the submission guidelines. You have to follow them exactly. Each market has its own unique requirements.

Tip Nine:

Avoid writing only for “exposure” if possible. There are paying markets that encourage beginners who are without publishing credits.

Tip Ten:

Don’t be afraid to try writing in more than one genre or style. The great thing about short story writing is that you can be experimental. It’s not as constrained as novel writing.

On my next blog, I’ll list detailed up-to-date information on where to find markets for short fiction.

Your thoughts and comments welcome here!


24 comments:

  1. Excellent advice, Jacqueline! I agree with all your tips, and I try to DO all of them except #7. Once I finish a story, I can't seem to let it cool off for a month before revisiting it, or submitting it. One of my many shortcomings. Great post!!!

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    1. Thank you, John. I should point out to our readers, John is a highly successful fiction writer. Follow his work to learn how to write quality short stories that sell to the important paying markets.

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  2. All good advice, Jacqui. A good reminder lesson for us all.

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    1. Thank you, John. I know writers like you who are pros don't really need these tips but hopefully they are useful to those who are beginning in fiction.

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  3. Thanks, Jacqueline. I think Tip 3 is particularly true.

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  4. Novels often move in more than one direction. It's a luxury short story writers don't have. They need to learn how to focus and often that means painful edits.

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  5. I enjoyed your post, Jacquie. We all need to be reminded of these principles and keep them in mind when we write.

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    1. Thank you, Bonnnie. I always enjoy reading your short stories.

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  6. Thanks, Jacqueline. I think your tips are right on point. As a writer who does both short stories and novels I appreciate the shorter format for experimentation. Often I've found while working on a short story that I've latter gone back and picked up elements of it for longer works. Either way, I agree with you about writing what you feel passionately about verses trying to fit your work to a specific pub.

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    1. Hi, Nancy,

      Thanks for mentioning that short stories often lead us to elements in longer work. Before I started the Kim Reynolds mystery series I created a young librarian who solves murders in a story called "Death Hereafter." She eventually evolved into Kim. So short stories can serve as inspiration for future novels.

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  7. Good tips, all of them. I might add in addition to few characters you may do well to limit the settings, often to one, and have a short time span

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    1. Thanks, Warren, for developing this further. As you say, it's best to limit setting and time span in short fiction.

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  8. A good list of pointers, Jacquie. I try to follow all of them. I especially like No. 1. I've never been any good at writing to a particular prompt or to fill a slot, so I write what comes to me.

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    1. Hi Susan,

      I do the same. But prompts are good for writers who need motivation.

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  9. Nice tips! I agree on tip #10: short stories are a great place to experiment.

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    1. Hi, Alan,

      I love to try different techniques and points of view with short stories. They really help us improve our writing skills.

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  10. GREAT tips!

    Thanks for sharing
    Good luck and God's blessings
    PamT

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  11. Thanks, Pam. Hope this proves useful to you.

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  12. Great advice, Jacqueline! I'm looking forward to your next post on markets. -Sati

    https://atozwriting.blogspot.com/

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  13. Thank you, Sati. I'll check out your blog as well.

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  14. Great stuff, Jacqueline. Even those of us who have been writing short stories for a while need these reminders once in a while to keep on point.

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  15. Hi Earl,

    I'm certain with you I'm preaching to the choir. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.

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