Writing Short Stories- March 5th

I.  Theory (Idea) on Short Story Form

Length- usually over three pages

Development- primary character and up to two secondary characters

Literary Elements:  Narration and Description

                Setting

                Plot

                Point of View

                Character

                Conflict

                Theme  

 Strategy?

A.  Scene Creation

1.  The Idea, comes in a flash- what makes the experience significant to you.

2.  Decide on an angle-  what is the importance of the experience.

3.  Outline your scenes- map and plan scenes: what happens and why?

4.  Write the first scene.

 B.  Character Generation

1. Character(s)

2. Setting

3. Main Problem

4. Begin the story with dialogue or action.

 

II. Activity

Take each of the strategies of character generation and scene creation to create two different stories.  For character, create the personality and focus on that, as it will be the driving force behind the story.  For scene, focus on the idea and how it plays itself out through the action of the scenes. 

A. Scene Construction

1. Theme or idea and its importance-

2. Outline of Scenes

3. First Scene

B. Character Construction

1.  Main character’s personality etc- Create them as fully as possible.

Physical qualities-

Name-

Occupation-

Likes and Dislikes-

Background-

2. Put the character in a time and place.  You may just create a mood with setting.  Be as descriptive as possible.

3. What is the main conflict?  Explain.

4.  Write the first paragraph, beginning with action and/or dialogue.

III. Complete A, B or Both in a word file and send this work to my e mail.