5 Swift Tips for Writing Short Fiction

Gain confidence by seeing projects through to completion

If you are looking to write short stories, here are some pointers to help you release them into the world as fully-formed complete beings. In seven years of writing professionally, I’ve written over 250 pieces of short fiction, around half of which have been published. These are three key learnings which have helped me continue to produce and finish stories. They may not be ground-breaking, but it’s advice I find myself going back to again and again.

Marathon, not a sprint

While some writers like Stephen King may have an inherent understanding of story, I believe no writers are born great. Writing effectively is not about happening upon a great idea for a story, or capitalising on a current trend. It is about honing your skills as best you can, to deliver stories that only you can tell. ‘Talent’ takes a great deal of practice to develop.

Fiction writing (especially short fiction) is more of a ‘philosophy’ than a hobby. Before long, writing will become not just something you do, but how you do everything. Observation and creating narrative is the way we process the world around us, and by ordering your experiences as fiction, you might find yourself seeing the planet differently.

Tip: Judge the quality and output of your writing against your previous work, not against major literary players.

Live your life

Ideas cannot be generated without experience. Even authors writing about far-off galaxies or mythical beasts are documenting their unique experiences in some way. Make sure that you visit places that interest you, meet up with people new and familiar and ground yourself by connecting with the physical spaces around you.

However you choose to note down what you experience (on a phone, or in a notebook), make sure to observe. Writing, more than anything, is the successful reframing of observation. Interrogate every detail with a question, and never take things for granted.

Tip: Remember that unique experiences contribute to your writing, but our lives must come before our stories.

Nourish your own stories by reading

Split your time between reading and writing. Even superstar authors read a great deal. If you don’t have time to read, you will never produce the writing that you really want.

My advice is to read everything. Read stories that you love and the genres that don’t appeal to you. Think about why they don’t appeal to you. Read the classics and the bargain holiday trash. Read the ‘How To’ books and marvel at how conflicting their advice is. Read authors who have similar beliefs and backgrounds to yours, and read ones who are completely different to you. Alternate between great sagas, non-fiction articles and funny tweets.

Through varying your literary diet, you will develop the ability to identify what makes for good prose, and solid narrative.

Tip: Read what you love, what you’re trying to produce, and books on craft. Read them in that order.

Get motivated by others

When you are starting out, courses and communities can be of great help. Many of them are designed to give learners a foundation of good reading habits and basic writing practices to help set them off on the right path. Of course, each individual will bring their unique style and voice, but it’s worth learning the rules before breaking them.

Local writing groups can also work well. Not only are they a good way to meet fellow scribes, but sessions can give you the confidence to share your work and eliminate errors and bad habits. If nothing else, groups serve as a timely reminder to get on and write!

Critiquing is another useful tool to employ. If you are not willing to give and receive constructive criticism, it is unlikely that you will reach your potential. Doing this anonymously online is a good way to seek feedback on your work in progress.

Tip: Build a support system to keep you motivated to write, learn and grow.

Set attainable goals

To avoid getting depressed about not instantly selling your manuscript for six figures, try to celebrate the small successes you’ve had, and set realistic short, medium and long-term targets.

A short-term target might be something as simple as finishing a story or attending an event. Medium-term goals could see you entering competitions or maintaining your writing despite changes in your work or home life.

A long-term goal is likely to be publication. Jumping straight in and then losing momentum when you can’t see yourself sitting next to J.K. Rowling on the shelf is not uncommon. Set up and check off smaller goals to keep yourself motivated.

Tip: Submit some work to places with higher acceptance rates (e.g. fiction publications on Medium). This will give you a much-needed win and will drive you to keep finishing and submitting.

Thanks for reading my tips. If you’re an aspiring short-fiction writer, remember this sequence: Dream, write, edit, submit, repeat. Good luck!

Philip Charter is a writing coach from the UK who works with multilingual professionals. He is also the author of three books of short fiction. Feel free to connect on LinkedIn.