This post has been prompted by questions from friends and colleagues who have often asked, ‘How did many of your short stories find place in the top 10 for the Times of India Write India Contests?’
And they have balked at my responses which have flitted between a modest ‘Oh, I got lucky I guess,’ to an evasive but truthful ‘I really don’t know’.
So, I did some soul searching and here are my assimilated learnings from the contest and my submissions. No pious platitudes, just my beliefs with a disclaimer to all readers- “Accept and adapt at your own risk!”
Also, this is freewheeling, and enumeration is only to segregate every idea or building block. Each is equally important and complements the other like the pieces of an orchestra to create a cohesive philharmonic.
First, the characters in your story. Often, more important than the plot. Have only as many as you can properly flesh out. Your central character at least, (and I eschew the use of protagonist for s/he could be the antagonist too) must have a conflict, preferably internal or external or both. The more complex and/or nuanced your central character, the better. Very often the internal conflict drives the plot.
Second, the setting for your story must be credible to draw in the reader. The more unfamiliar your setting, the more you need to research to make it believable. The reader must feel that s/he is there. If readers don’t trust your honesty with your craft, there is little chance of them immersing themselves into and buying your story! A word of caution here. No matter how much you have studied the premise and enthusiastic to bleed your knowledge on paper, don’t take too long to move from premise to plot. This is a temptation I have often agonised over before letting go. Get to the story quickly. Remember, you have a maximum word count!
Third. Sure, have a plan of the story for you will need to fit in all the elements (and more) of what we are discussing here within the confines so many words, but don’t fret if you find the plot leading you on, rather than your plan.
Fourth, if you can manage a new or unique style, layout, or structure in which you deliver the story, great. When you move out of your comfort zone, the possibilities are endless, and you may discover your mojo. To be honest, this is an area for my personal improvement.
Fifth, never doubt the reader’s intelligence. Keep the mystical element at the back of your mind. Let the reader’s imagination and thought process guess what will happen next, rather than your spelling it out all. Less is more. This will help in the word count too!
Sixth, the end must surprise. The unexpected twist in the tale makes the story memorable. Your writing style, language, plot, character, setting, structure are all important, but this is key.
Seventh, edit, edit, edit. Revisit for inconsistencies and infractions. If you keep coming back because you are unhappy with one or more elements of the story, it’s a good sign.
Eighth, if your story has a prompt (as the Write India stories did along with other author specific rules) ensure that the use of the prompt is germane to the main plot and not a sub-plot.
Ninth, give your story a title that grabs the reader. It is your first hook.
A story within a predetermined number of words lays bare the writer’s virtuosity or otherwise. I believe that it was Sarah Dunant, the famous British novelist who said, “There’s no place for the writer to hide in a short story, no room for failure, for sloppy writing or muddled thought.”
Finally, we always remain an apprentice in this school of writing. There will always be a better story than the one we spin. And even for the one spun, which we believe to be the finest example of our craft, an improved version.
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