Writing Short Stories: 8 Great Suggestions for Freelancers
If you’ve ever considered freelance writing, chances are you have come across plenty of people with plenty of advice on what to write and how to write it. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who actually knows what they’re talking about and who’s just making things up. Thankfully, this list of eight great tips for writing short stories has been tested and approved by actual freelancers, and it works. This is what you need to know:
- Think outside the box. Freelancing is about being unique and coming up with ideas that stand out from the crowd. Don’t settle for the everyday, overused short story about the zombie and his vampire bride. Go for something a little different; with a lot more shock value. Try putting a new twist on an old story. That’s one surefire way to gain a lot of readers with minimal effort.
- Pack a punch. Make sure your story isn’t just a story. Try to add some flavor or punch, especially towards the end. If no one is expecting it, that’s even better. Stray from the cliché stories with predictable endings and try something with a bit of a kick to it. If your work is different and unexpected, people will naturally gravitate towards it.
- Spice it up. Use a variety of vocabulary words and sentence structures. Try not to be monotone in your writing. The more exciting you are, the more excited your readers will be, too. If you can add intense imagery as well, that’s always a plus. When your reader feels present in the story, it really comes to life.
- Leave loose ends. Don’t give your readers all the answers. People love a good mystery. Leave a few loose ends hanging if you really want people to come back for more. You can even create a miniseries of short stories, each one leading into the other.
- Be direct. Short stories pack a lot of information into a very small space. Jam pack your writings with facts, and be direct in what you are trying to get across. If you want the reader to garnish some kind of life lesson from your work, make it obvious or they might not get it at all.
- Use humor. There’s nothing quite like a hilarious bit of good reading material. People soak that stuff up like a sponge. Be funny, and don’t be afraid to let a little bit of your personality shine through.
- Make it relevant. Some of the best short stories are ones that relate to current events and daily occurrences. Keep your work relevant and up to date for the best results.
- Try again. Just because someone doesn’t like your writing the first time doesn’t mean you’re not good. Never give up on yourself and never be too scared to try again.