Stay in The Word Count What Does It Mean When You Approach Writing Short Stories and the Short Story Numbers

The word count for a short story is a rather simple piece of information. Almost. For the most part look to a magazine or an anthology to get an idea of the word counts. A general rule is if it's over 10,000 written words, it isn't a short story.

However, there are some complications to this "general" rule, some magazines will specify a word count such as 1,000 to 5,000 for a short story. Or other will set a limit of 2,500 words. Still other set a range that this higher, and yet don't specify a lower end.

So, how does a writer figure out what is considered a short story? The answer to this one is mercifully simple: Look in Writers Market, go to the magazines websites, they will all give a specific range that they all want. They are different.

The word count is so important, so vital that to mistake it for a minor thing is something that beginning writers don't understand. For example: a chapter in a novel that is a work in progress can be made into a short story.

Plan for a short story to have only one or two characters, and as detailed as possible without too many words. A reader still wants to see in a published short story some form of detail, but in this case precise detail. No purple prose.

Simple idea now?

So how to get a short story that will be published and make you some money, all staying with in the word count. The important thing to note is publishing your short story.

Take about 3 or 4 pieces of paper and write with a pen an outline for the short story. Beginning, Middle, End. Write the story on another three sheets of paper and transfer this to the computer. This usually makes the writing tighter and stronger. A writer can at least see where the mistakes are.

Redo the draft on the computer and read it out loud. Slowly and carefully. I like to put a twenty dollar bill in front of me, and then if my writing isn't worth that much, it helps me to edit.

Many short story markets will pay between 5 and twenty dollars for short stories. Now this isn't a lot of money, but if you were to write and sell 5 short stories a month at twenty dollars, you'd make $100 a month.

When you think about it this way, you will want to write quickly and powerfully and to the point. You need to make it a goal of on draft per day on a short story to get the word count correctly, but aim for about 7,000 words.

Then let the cutting (editing) begin!

You might be asking what sort of writing or written words should I cut to make it a better novel? Better still what makes me a better author?

Cut. adverbs, adjectives, slow parts, and minor characters (a waiter, a bellhop) anything that doesn't belong in the story. next see what the word count is. For beginning writers new to short stories aim for no more than 3,000 words. I personally enjoy

Beginner writers are not established and this usually keeps the story in the range that is "acceptable" to most magazines. the more established the writer the closer to the top of the high end the magazine or anthology will allow.

Again Word Count is king. Use it.

Content is also co-king, but when dealing with how to write a short story, work with plot and word count. Not all short story writers are created equal and some will become novelists, but by this time the benefits are that they have an understanding out outlining and the value of word counts and action.

Publishing short stories can be more fun than novels, but if the word count isn't obeyed there will be more rejections. Beware of the word count limits and respect them, and write. the edit.

Publishing is a good goal, and even if you self-publish word count and editing must be on your mind. If you focus only on writing you will find more errors. The point is that following a word count does increase the chances that you will be published traditionally, or sell better if you self-publish.

Just remember that focus is a must when writing short stories, or writing anything for that matter. You have to think of your word count within the idea of money, if you have to pay $100 dollars per word of extra words, then I am sure you will keep within the specified word count. As for short stories when in doubt, 10,000 words or less or cut it out.

It takes time and effort but you will see results, and you need to remember you are one step closer to your dream of becoming a published author. This is a writing business and that writing business will help you, when you plan it our of course.

Keep writing, to your success.