Summary:
Writing short stories for competition can be a lot of fun, and very rewarding as well. This article provides some tips authors can use to create a compelling and award winning short story.

Details or Sample:
It seems as if the number of short story contests is on the rise, and there is a contest for every writer. Whether you are an old hand at the writing game or a newcomer just getting started, there are some great short story competitions out there. From the local library to the World Wide Web, there are many places to seek out the perfect contest.

Some of these contests offer a vast array of great prizes, while others provide bragging rights authors can use to impress their fellow writers. Other writing contests offer the winners the chance to find a publisher for their work, helping those authors advance their writing careers.

No matter what the level of competition, however, there are some tips writers can use to make their work stand head and shoulders above the rest. The judges of short story contests often look at literally hundreds of entries, and in order to make their work stand out writers will need to pull out all the stops. Some of the best tips for capturing, and keeping, the attention and affection of the judges include:

 Start at the beginning with a compelling first line. The first line must capture the attention of the reader and set the stage for the rest of the story.
 Continue the story with a great first paragraph. Like the first line, the opening paragraph sets the tone for the action to come. A compelling opening paragraph will make the judges eager to read more, while a dull opening may cause the reader to set the story aside.
 Introduce your main character early in the action. The short story is a challenging format, and it is important to let the reader know who the main players are.
 Determine who will be telling the story. Will the story be told in the first person or the third person? Choose your viewpoint early and stay with it till the end.
 Understand your characters and give them realistic things to say and do. It is important to get a feel for the characters as the action is being laid out, and to understand why motivates each player in the story.
 Avoid long detailed setups or descriptions. Provide quick views of the action instead. In the short story format a lot can be said in only a few words. Some of the best short stories ever written manage to say a great deal in only a couple of pages.
 Provide quick descriptions of each character in lieu of long and detailed ones. Allow the words you use to trigger the imagination of the reader. Let the reader create his or her own view of the major and minor players.
 Try to give your short story an emotional edge. Connecting with the reader on an emotional level is a great way to tell a memorable story.
 Make every word count. With only a short number of words available, it is essential that each one count. Short stories can be quite memorable, but only if the writer is as skillful a wordsmith as a storyteller.

Purchase this content for your website...

Pricing:
Usage:	$10	[Add to Cart]
Unique:	$15	[Add to Cart]
Full Rights:	$20	[Add to Cart]

Downloads: 0
Written by: beconrad
Available File Types:Text
Words: 534