Tips & Tricks

Show, Don't Tell

The principle of "show, don't tell" is so important to effective storytelling in short story competitions. This technique involves illustrating scenes and emotions with vivid descriptions and actions rather than simply telling them to the reader. Practicing this skill will elevate your short story and engage your reader on a deeper level.

 

Avoid Common Clichés

While clichés can occasionally work if used in a creative manner they should be avoided in writing short stories, especially in the context of a competition. Overused plots like "it was all a dream" will make your story feel unoriginal.

 

Respect Your Reader

Don't underestimate your audience or over-explain details due to fear of misunderstanding. This approach cause flat stories that tell too much and show too little, which will hurt your chances in a writing competition. Trust your readers to make their own connections and draw their conclusions. It'll do well to help you develop an engaging story and stay within the word limit.

 

Add a Twist

Short stories often benefit from ending with a twist. Crafting such endings requires a certain creativity; they should be unique and unexpected. A powerful twist will make your story quite memorable.