Write A Short Story For Me Novels & Stories

It’s funny you should ask about contests; I’ve been poking around at them for a couple years now, mostly for fun. Honestly, the obvious place to start is just by looking at the big magazines that run regular competitions—'Clarkesworld', 'The Paris Review', sometimes 'Glimmer Train' though I think they’re on hiatus again? Those are the heavy hitters, and winning one of those can be a real career bump. But the submission fees add up, which always gives me pause. I’ve had better luck, emotionally at least, with smaller, themed contests run by indie presses or even literary festivals. They often have more specific prompts, which can actually kickstart a story you wouldn’t have written otherwise.

Lately, I’ve been leaning toward genre-specific outlets. If you’re into speculative fiction, the 'Writer’s Digest' annual competition is a classic, but also check out 'Lightspeed’s' flash fiction contests or 'Analog’s' yearly student one. The entry requirements are usually super clear on their websites—just make sure you follow their formatting to the letter. I got disqualified once for using the wrong font, which felt incredibly petty at the time, but hey, rules are rules. A good trick is to set up a simple spreadsheet: contest name, deadline, fee, word count, theme. It keeps the chaos somewhat manageable.

Don’t sleep on university literary journals either, even if you’re not a student; many have open contests with pretty decent judges. The prize money might be smaller, but the prestige in certain circles is real. The real struggle for me is timing—I’ll see a contest, get excited, then realize the deadline is next week and my draft is nowhere near ready. So my unsolicited advice is to find a few with deadlines a few months out and actually work backward from there. It’s less about the single big win and more about building a rhythm of finishing and submitting pieces, which in itself is a kind of victory.

Writing a short story feels like planting a tiny garden—you want every word to bloom. I start by picking a single moment that thrums with emotion, something small but vivid. Maybe it's a child finding a stray dog or an old letter tumbling out of a book. Then, I sprint through the first draft without editing, letting the characters lead. Dialogue is my compass; how people talk reveals their secrets faster than descriptions.

Editing is where the magic happens, though. I cut everything that doesn’t serve the heartbeat of the story. If a sentence doesn’t make my palms sweat or my throat tighten, it gets axed. Reading aloud helps—awkward phrasing stumbles on your tongue. And endings? I cheat by stealing tricks from songs or poems. A lingering image or a half-answered question often sticks better than neat resolution.

Crafting an engaging short story is all about playing with ideas and tapping into emotions. For me, starting with a vivid image or a quirky character can ignite the whole narrative. Imagine a setting that drips with atmosphere. Maybe a sleepy little town where the fog rolls in like whispers of forgotten secrets or a bustling city that never sleeps, filled with dreams and aspirations. Creating that backdrop pulls readers in right away, making them feel at home—or thoroughly intrigued—in a world that feels alive.

Next, consider the characters. They should feel real, like someone you'd want to chat with over coffee, or perhaps someone you'd avoid in real life! Give them quirks and flaws—it’s those imperfections that we resonate with. For instance, an overly enthusiastic baker who burns cakes or a cynical detective who can't let go of past mistakes. As the plot unfolds, let these traits challenge them or spur their growth. Maybe the baker has to confront a rival or the detective faces a personal crisis. By layering character development with plot, you create a dynamic story that keeps readers invested.

Finally, climax and resolution are crucial. The climax should hit like a firecracker, filled with tension and emotion. Your readers should feel like they’re right there, heart-thumping at every twist. Once you reach that peak, give them a resolution that feels satisfying, even if it’s bittersweet. A well-concluded story lingers, sparking thought long after the last sentence. Ultimately, infusing your unique voice and experiences into the story will make it resonate more deeply with others, leaving them wanting more!