Short Story Ideas That Make Readers Happy
Where do good short story ideas really come from?
Cover of The Warrior
Since I upgraded to a high-speed Internet connection I’ve been watching videos of bands like crazy. Remember the band Scandal? Their big 80s hit was “The Warrior.” It was a monster hit and I never knew what their lead singer looked like until I viewed several videos of the band recently with my new high-speed connection. The singer was Patti Smyth. Man could she sing. And she was hot, a rock and roll babe. And back then she was so young. Back then we were all much younger. Patti is still alive. Wikipedia says she’s married to John McEnroe. Now tell me life isn’t stranger than fiction.
Scandal had several hits before the band finally broke up but none were as big as “The Warrior.” The song is such a good song. How are good songs created? Probably in the same way that good short stories are created. Good songs and good short stories start off with good foundations. If a short story writer truly understands the foundation of the short story, he or she will be on the path to writing lots of good short stories.
The foundation is so simple. There is the setup, the buildup and the payoff.
Don’t believe me? Pick up a volume of short stories by your favorite author. The author has to be a recognized professional writer because these are the people who set the pace for the rest of us. Pick any story of any length and read it. Don’t get caught up in the details of the story. You want to be able to see the entire forest and not be hypnotized by the beauty of each individual tree. The setup, buildup and the payoff will become clear.
So, when it comes to writing your own short stories don’t worry so much about how good your idea may be. Worry about how good your foundation is. Bang! Bang!
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March 14th, 2010 at 3:22 am
Welcome back my friend. You were out for quite a long while. Nice post for a comeback. Just the ideas I need to keep on track.
March 14th, 2010 at 4:20 am
Thank you for helping me in my quest to be able to write a good shrt story. I have all these fiction story ideas in my head, I just have a hard time writing them.
I’ve been telling my family of how I want to write a book. I think I’ll start writing my book today.
March 14th, 2010 at 5:43 am
Hi. we kave missed you. Thanks for this very clear article, with useful tips on short story writing.
March 14th, 2010 at 5:47 am
I am addicted to 80s and I adore that song. My favorite rock chick will always be Joan Jett, though;)
As for short stories, I have never written one. I know it might sound weird for a writer, but I am more into screenplays and I am not sure I can come up with a good short story. But then again, I never regularly tried. I’ll keep your post in mind.
March 14th, 2010 at 8:18 am
A very helpul article. I have ventured into short story writing but it doesn’t come easily. I think I will have to persevere.
Christine
March 14th, 2010 at 8:25 am
a shurt story depends of the interpretation of the readers
March 14th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Hey Guy, good to see you back. I’m about ready to do an interview with a favorite writer of some pretty good short sci-fi stories. And, they certainly follow your format of setup, buildup and the payoff.
March 14th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Hi, Guy, yes I have lots of un-published short stories, but your right the formular dosen,t change no matter what the subject is. Take care LB
March 14th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Great post
March 14th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Welcome back friend. Thanks for the ideas.
March 14th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
It’s nice to see you back. I’m just starting off with stories but somehow prefer to write something technical; a good idea to consider though.
March 14th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Welcome back.
March 15th, 2010 at 12:06 am
Good to see you back with a very, very motivating piece.
March 15th, 2010 at 4:22 am
Welcome back. I haven’t written a short story for about a year. The foundation you give makes it seem so easy.
March 15th, 2010 at 7:47 am
Sorry I am not familiar with this band, Good article and welcome back.
March 15th, 2010 at 9:08 am
a very good entry
March 15th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Thanks for the tips! I really appreciate it!
March 15th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Thanks for the info. I love short stories and long ones. Just give me a good book and I am happy. I like trying to write them too.
March 16th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
I remember Patty Smith! Nice to see you back here at Triond =)
March 17th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Welcome back Guy! I like to read stories with a good foundation, otherwise I feel I`m wasting my time.
March 17th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Good foundation is the pillar for a good story and an article,I agree.
It’s wonderful to read your articles Guy.(which are always with a good foundation)
March 20th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Excellent point. I wish more writers would pay closer attention to exactly what you said.
March 29th, 2010 at 8:42 am
nice!
March 30th, 2010 at 9:42 am
makes so much sense when you put it like that! good foundation, way to go
March 31st, 2010 at 11:13 am
Very good reading and sense
April 12th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Good Article Guy. Your usual sound and helpful advice.
Must admit I sometimes see and ending and then flesh it out.
April 14th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
good advice!
October 9th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Great post. Still a huge fan of 80s music and Scandal were one of my favorite bands.