The content doesn't define it the word count is all that matters.Īnd here's a fun fact: a 50 word story is called a dribble.

This is usually biographical and entertaining.įor example, if someone is talking about cars, and you say 'When I was growing up, my uncle owned a car dealership named Krazy Kars and never sold a single one,' that would be considered an anecdote. It's very possible that you've even written one before.Īn anecdote is a short story that shares relevant information. You've definitely told an anecdote before. Like any other form of writing, there are different types of short stories and different genre categories for each. Types of Short Storiesīelieve it or not, short stories are defined by more than their length. So, how long should a short story be? As long as it takes to tell the story properly. Some say short stories can be up to 5,000 words, while others still say 10,000.Īll literary magazines have different submission requirements, so if you're looking to get published, it's important to check those out. Traditional short stories (excluding micro- and flash-fiction) are usually between 1,500 to 7,500 words, but not even that is set in stone. With such a short window to work within, short story writers must pare down their ideas to only the most important aspects.Īs Edgar Allen Poe had once said, “A short story must have a single mood, and every sentence must build towards it.” Let this advice be the guiding force for you as you embark on your own short story-writing journey. They can be of any genre, so long as they stay within the length range.

Short stories are always fiction, and depict a snippet of a larger world.

What is a Short Story?Ī short story is a nebulous, misunderstood thing.

Writing a short story takes discipline, inventiveness, and plenty of planning, so let’s begin while we’re ahead. Today we discuss the ins and outs of writing a short story, which can be a lot more complicated than you’d think (no, really).Ī short story is not just a stepping stone to writing a novel it is an art form entirely unto itself, filled with twists, turns, and language as sharp as knives.

Fun types of short stories to write