Short

Story

Creative Writing

The Lion
and the
Short story

Once when a Lion was asleep, a little

Mouse began running up and down
upon him. This soon wakened the
Lion, who placed his huge paw upon
him and opened his big jaws to
swallow him.

"Pardon, O King!" cried

the little Mouse,
"Forgive me this time. I
shall never repeat it
and I shall never forget
your kindness. And who
knows, but I may be
able to do you a good
turn one of these days?

The Lion was so tickled at

the idea of the Mouse
being able to help him,
that he lifted up his paw
and let him go.
Sometime later a few
hunters captured the King
and tied him to a tree
while they went in search
of a wagon to carry him
on.

Just then the little Mouse happened to pass

by, and seeing the sad plight in which the
Lion was, ran up to him and soon gnawed
away the ropes that bound the King of the
Beasts. "Was I not right?" said the little
Mouse, very happy to help the Lion.

MORAL LESSON
Little friends may prove great friends.

Short story
Conveyed on one or a few significant episodes or
scenes.
Economy of setting, concise narrative, and the
omission of a complex plot.

Origin
Began before
humans could write
Relied on stock
phrases, fixed
rhythms, and rhyme

Types of a Short Story

THE EPICAL STORY

Brevity is commonly 'wired-in' through the
withholding of a part of the narrative - a hidden,
suspended element, whose absence is
ultimately unsustainable (it's only a matter of
time before it drops into view).

THE LYRICAL STORY

Relies for the most part on the open
ending.
Distinguished by its emphasis on a central
recurring image or symbol, around which
the narrative revolves, and from which it
acquires an open and flexible meaning.

THE ARTIFICE STORY

Deriving its 'surprise' not from the arrival of any
revelation, or the escalation of any image, but
from the intertwining of two seemingly
incompatable ingredients: be these two
incompatible story-lines, perspectives or indeed
realities.

Elements of a Short Story

Character
A character is a
person, or
sometimes even
an animal, who
takes part in the
action of a short
story or other
literary work.

Setting
Time and place in which it happens.
Descriptions of landscape, scenery,
buildings, seasons or weather to provide a
strong sense of setting.

Plot
Series of events and character actions
that relate to the central conflict.

Conflict
The conflict is a
struggle between
two people or
things in a short
story.
The main character
is usually on one
side of the central
conflict.

Conflict
On the other side, the main character may
struggle against another important
character, against the forces of nature,
against society, or even against something
inside himself or herself (feelings,
emotions, illness).

Theme
The theme is the central idea or belief in a
short story.

Techniques in Writing a
Short Story

Opposites Attract
Work against your characters central desire will
keep the reader intrigued and prevent your story
from getting stuck.
Dialogue, setting, and characterization are all
areas that will benefit from an unexpected twist.

Craft A Strong Title

How do you find inspiration for a great title? Have
friends read your story and note which words or
phrases strike them or stand out.
These excerpts from your text just might hold the
perfect title.

Shorter Is Sweeter
With a shorter short story, you will have
more markets available to you and thus a
better chance of getting published.

References
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/18/shortstory-tips-_n_3947152.html
http://www.britannica.com/art/short-story
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/cliffsnotes/subjects/litera
ture/what-is-a-definition-of-short-story