If Writing a Short Story in a Day is Too Much, What if We Try 1 PER WEEK?
As per Ray Bradbury’s advice to new writers.
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Writing a short story in a week is definitely achievable with some focused effort and planning. Here’s a guide I sometimes use to accomplish this.
Most of the time the stories are still trash, but not as bad as the 1-day stories, and occasionally some almost show some promise.
How to Write a Short Story in Just One Day
If you want to knock one out on your day off…
Choose your idea. Start by finding thoughts for your short story from wherever you keep them, Google Docs, composition book, etc. Consider which ones interest you most that day.
Outline the basic plot of your story. This should include the introduction of characters, the conflict or problem they face, and how it’s resolved.
Create your characters, giving them any backgrounds, motivations, and personalities that will move the story forward. Even for a short story, well-developed characters can make the narrative more interesting.
Set aside times, specific blocks of time each day, to work on your story. Whether it’s early in the morning, during lunch break, or in the evening, consistency is always the key to making progress.
Write freely, and quickly during your dedicated writing sessions. Don’t worry too much about perfecting each sentence or paragraph. Allow yourself to write fast without self-editing too much. You can always revise and polish later.
Minimize your distractions during your writing times. Turn off social media notifications, find a quiet area to work, and stay focused on your story.
Break down your writing process into smaller, manageable pieces for each day. Try to write a certain number of words or complete a specific scene by the end of each session.
After completing your first draft, set aside some time to revise and edit your story. Pay attention to the big picture — overall structure, clarity, and continuity of the story, as well as the close-ups, such as grammar and punctuation.
Once you’ve finished your story to the best of your ability, consider sharing it with a trusted friend, family member, or writing group for feedback. Constructive criticism can sometimes help you identify areas for improvement.
Make any final tweaks or adjustments based on feedback and, of course, your own judgment. Pay attention to details like individual words, sentences, and overall readability.
Remember, writing a short story in a week requires commitment and discipline, but it’s also a creative and rewarding process. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you hit challenges along the way. The most important thing is to keep on writing and refining your writing.
Here’s a sample schedule to write a short story in a week.
Day 1, Planning and Outlining.
Morning, spend time on ideas for your short story.
Afternoon, outline the basic plot structure of your story
Evening, finalize your outline and make any adjustments.
Day 2–5, Writing.
Each day, set aside 1–2 hour blocks of time for writing.
Start by writing the opening scene or introduction of your story.
Progress through the plot, focusing on one section or scene at a time.
Don’t worry too much about perfection at this stage. Just focus on getting your ideas down on paper.
Day 6, Revision and Editing.
Morning, review your first draft.
Afternoon, edit for grammar, punctuation, and readability.
Evening, read your story aloud to catch any awkward phrasing.
Day 7, Final Touches.
Morning, incorporate any feedback or suggestions.
Afternoon, make final tweaks and adjustments based on feedback and your own judgment.
Evening, Proofread your story one last time for any errors or typos.
By following a schedule like this, you’ll have a completed short story by the end of the week. Remember to stay flexible and adapt your schedule to fit your own writing process and daily routine.
Who said 52 stories will give you a good one?
The idea that “writing 52 stories will give you a good one” is often attributed to the American writer, Ray Bradbury. He was known for advocating prolific writing habits and believed in the importance of continuous practice in your writing. This concept suggests that by consistently writing a large volume of stories, even if many of them are not particularly successful, a writer will eventually produce at least one high-quality piece. This philosophy underscores the value of persistence, experimentation, and learning through experience in the creative process.
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