Guest post by award-winning Australian novelist and short story writer Wendy Laharnar
What is a short story compared to a Novella or Novel?
A short story has between 1,000 and 10,000 words. The amount depends on the publisher’s requirements. It concerns one episode, only, revealed in a series of events with a climax and, preferably, no more than three main characters. It covers a short time span and has a single purpose.
The novella and novel, on the other hand, have multiple characters and episodes and cover whatever time it takes to tell the story in as many words as necessary. Therefore, I think the short story is closer to the poem where every word must count to create atmosphere, evoke a specific emotion and drive the message home with limited words, unless you are Virgil or Dante, of course, with their epic, novel length poetry.
The Short Story Framework
*The short story has three types of Framework.
The five-tier plot:
1. A recognizable type of Character is driven by
2. A specific Motive or Desire leading to
3. A Central Situation which gives rise to
4. Unexpected Complications {including the dark moment) - demanding in turn
5. A rational yet surprising solution or outcome.
This framework fits all genres of strongly plotted short stories and suits traditional magazine stories.
The three-tier plot:
1.Situation which brings out the winning streak in
2.A specific Character type who seeks about devising
3.A Solution
Revolves around the character and his problem rather than a series of surprises. This can be a character driven plot or one which takes an ordinary event and uses it to create an extraordinary story.
The two-tier plot:
1.A certain type
2. Explores a Situation.
The most difficult to write. It's a literary or plotless story of the type written by Chekhov. Through it, the talented author enriches the reader’s mind with a virtuoso display of narrative and dialogue. A less talented author might wallow in self pity and introspection.
So, with all this in mind, you can sit in front of a blank screen, like I did when writing Of Actors and Action, begin with stream of consciousness and keep typing until a brilliant idea takes over, and you are able to frame your story. In this case I chose the five-tier framework
Or develop an idea that fascinates you. With my sci-fi Happiness Guaranteed, I’d read about the discovery of an ancestral memory gene and combined this idea with my passion for Formula 1. The story tried to take over, but I contained it to one episode in Bianca’s ideal life, again using the five-tier frame. .
Or, begin with your episode clearly in mind, and choose the type of characters and their motivation best suited to deliver your purpose. I used this method in Billy the Bonsai Bull, using the three-tiered framework.
The Three Tier Framework
Let's take a closer look at the three-tier framework:
For Billy’s story of 6,500 words, I chose a troublesome episode from real life: raising an orphaned calf that had lost the will to survive. It spanned twelve months in Billy’s life.
My purpose: to prevent bullying - loneliness and false friends can stunt our emotional and physical growth, whereas true friends help us thrive, therefore children should not tolerate a bully nor be tempted to bully others.
Situation: A calf wants to lie down and die and the farmer’s wife is determined to save him. This brings out a winning streak in both
Character types: a stubborn orphaned calf and a compassionate but frustrated farmer’s wife. By presenting the story from Billy’s pov, children might glimpse some aspect of their own experience and empathize with Billy. Although it is the farmer’s wife who seeks to devise the solution, Billy had to respond to it.
Solution: Acceptance. Billy learns to accept genuine friends and stick with them even if they are not popular with others.
Now, if you need to kick start your short story, below you’ll find all you need for
- The specific Character type
· Archetypes - a mind boggling number to choose from are here
*2. Motives
To Win: love, respect, an object, freedom shelter etc.
To Escape: oppression, danger, family, influence etc.
To Retrieve: self respect, respect from others, a skill, position, property etc
To Compete against: superior forces, a rival, a cheat, the law etc
To Conceal: a crime, object, witness, scheme, emotion etc
To Save: a life, reputation, possession.
To Uncover: a conspiracy, lie, crime, injustice, secret.
To Protect someone: weaker, unjustly accused etc
3. Situations
According to George Polti, the 19th century French writer, there are only
*4. Complications
Misunderstandings
Change of routine
Unforseen obstacle
Entering wrong door
Confusion
Making wrong choice
Taking wrong turning
Unexpected arrival,
Misjudging
Underestimating
etc
5. Solutions i.e. Resolution of Conflict
Here are three ways to go. Win. Lose. Surrender.
using
Physical or Moral Strength – courage, willpower or visible means.
Moral Strength or ability – invisible means nobility, ingenuity, wisdom.
Resignation. –acceptance, conscience or the getting of wisdom
*tip: Regardless of the situation your character is in, it’s his character type and motive which determines the type of conflict at the heart of the story. ie. man against man, man against Nature, man against self. So when deciding which solution to use, concentrate on the character type and his motive only, and this should make it easier.
Hello muse, happy writing.
Thanks so much Wendy for such a useful and informative article and for being so generous with all your additional links.
Please post all your comments and questions for Wendy in the comments box below. And do buy one or more of her great books to see how it's done...
Annie :-)
