Why Should a Writer Try Short Stories?

The benefits are many.

Don Martin, Real-Life Writer, is an email newsletter & blog exploring down-to-earth writing. Most installments are free, some for paid subscribers only.

Writing short stories offers benefits for us writers, regardless of our level of experience or writing genre. Here are a couple of reasons to consider starting to write short stories.

Write short stories.

1. Short stories allow us to practice and refine essential writing skills such as character development, plot continuity, and dialogue. Because they’re shorter in length, we can experiment with different techniques and styles without committing to the extensive time and effort required for longer works.

2. Short stories provide a platform for exploring a wide range of ideas, themes, and genres in a condensed format. You can delve into topics that interest you or experiment with new concepts without the need for a long-term commitment. This flexibility allows for greater creative exploration and innovation.

3. Completing a short story can be just as significant a confidence booster as the completion of any other, longer writing project especially for writers who are just starting. Seeing a project through from beginning to end, regardless of its length, can instill a sense of accomplishment and motivate us to do even more ambitious writing projects in the future.

4. Writing short stories allows us to develop our voice as a writer. Experimentation and practice can help us discover what resonates with us and our readers, helping to establish our identity as a writer.

5. Short stories are often easier to get published than longer works like novels. Numerous literary magazines, anthologies, and online platforms accept submissions of short fiction, thus providing more opportunities for emerging writers to showcase their work and build readership.

6. Unlike novels, which may require months or even years to complete, short stories can be written, and polished in a relatively short amount of time. This allows us to maintain momentum in our writing practice and see tangible results more quickly.

Last thoughts

Overall, writing short stories can be a rewarding creative endeavor that offers opportunities for growth, experimentation, and expression. Whether we are experienced writers or just starting, incorporating short fiction into our writing repertoire can help us better our skills, discover new ideas, and connect with readers in meaningful ways.

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Hello! My name is Don. I’ll be your writer today. Would you like to start out with something light?medium.com

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