How to Write a Short Story: A Simple Guide for Sharing Your History
Have a family story or a tale from the road you’d love to share? Writing a short story is easier than you think! At 450–600 words, a short story fits on about one page, single-spaced, in a standard font like Arial size 12—short enough to feel doable, but long enough to capture a special moment. This "How to Write a Short Story" guide will walk you through the steps to create your own story, whether it’s a memory of your grandparents’ early days or an adventure from your travels.
Step 1: Plan Your Story (50–100 words)
Start with a simple plan. Pick one meaningful event or situation—like the day your family settled in a new town or a funny encounter on a road trip. Jot down the key details: who was there, where it happened, and why it matters to you. A plan keeps you focused and makes writing easier. For example, if your story is about your great-uncle’s first harvest, note the season, the people involved, and the emotions you want to capture.
Step 2: Write Your Draft – Intro, Beginning, Conclusion (300–400 words)
- Intro (50–75 words): Set the scene and grab the reader’s attention. Describe the setting (e.g., “The dusty plains of 1920s Australia stretched endlessly before our family’s new farm”) and introduce the main person or event (e.g., “My great-uncle Tom, just 19, faced his first harvest alone”).
- Beginning (200–250 words): Dive into the event. Focus on one or two key moments—like Tom waking at dawn, the heat of the sun, and the moment the first crop was cut. Show what happened through actions and feelings (e.g., “Tom’s hands shook as he gripped the scythe, but pride swelled in his chest”). Add a small challenge or surprise to keep it engaging, like a sudden storm or a helpful neighbor’s arrival.
- Conclusion (50–75 words): Wrap up with the outcome and a reflection. Did Tom succeed? How did it shape the family? (e.g., “The harvest was small, but it gave us hope for the future. Tom’s courage became our family’s legacy.”) Leave the reader with a feeling, like hope or nostalgia.
Step 3: Edit and Polish (50–100 words)
Write a first draft with extra words—aim for 700–800 words to get all your ideas down. Then, take a break for a day or two. When you come back, read it aloud to spot awkward parts. Cut anything that doesn’t shine—remove extra details or repetitive words until you’re at 450–600 words. Keep the golden moments that make your story special, like a vivid description or a heartfelt emotion.
Share Your Story with Bleusone!
If you're an author wanting to promote your work or someone with something to say, we’d love to read your short story—whether it’s a true family memory or a fictional tale inspired by the road and our "How to Write a Short Story Guide". Send your 450–600-word story to clouddreamers | at | Bleusone | dot | com, and we’ll read it into a video to share your homegrown work with our community of Cloud Dreamers.
Let’s celebrate the magic of storytelling together!
