Fantasy is a difficult genre as it asks the writer to leave behind reason and enter a world of the writer’s own creation. This world has its own particular rules of existence. Nevertheless the usual rules of short story writing apply; a story being rated on style, composition and the overall level of satisfaction is delivers to the reader.
Stories need to be told with a feeling of conviction so that the reader becomes engrossed in this fantasy world or the fantasy characters’ emotions and problems.
Writing as ‘show and don’t tell’, which requires the writer to ‘paint’ in the background or atmosphere, giving the reader the chance to ‘live’ in the story is to be encouraged.
The title is important. It needs to have movement or suggest something of the story but not all of it. An ideal title contains five words or less.
Short stories should start with a character, preferably with a passionate personal problem or dilemma, then go in as straight a line as possible, while the minimum of characters and it should take place within 24 hours or a set time frame.
There is a pattern to a short story, with the ending somehow tying up with the beginning. The story should be told in one emotional tone, with the ideal coming as a surprise, but manipulation characters should be avoided.
Well done to those who entered the competition. Please keep up your enthusiasm for writing and enter future competitions. Writing is one of the best friends a person can have and personable characters are a writer’s best friends. Congratulations to the winners!
