How To Write Short Stories
Written By Tutor Esther Chilton
How To Write Short Stories
Written and tutored by Esther Chilton
Suitable for all levels of writers including beginners
The short story is one of the most popular forms of creative writing. It’s also one of the oldest types of literature. Think of all those fables, legends, myths and folk and fairy tales that have been passed down over the years, the world over.
Today, you’ll find them in literary and mainstream magazines as well as numerous digital publications. There is also a large competition scene, so you won’t be short of a place to submit your stories to. But, even if you don’t want to send your work out, they’re fun to write for yourself and are a great way of building up your writing skills.
In this four-module, online course you cover the basics of short story writing, including where to submit your stories, the importance of creating compelling characters, how to structure your story and you’ll also be given lots of ideas to take away and use in your own work.
The Course
The first module looks at who publishes this form of writing and the importance of researching stories, not only in terms of knowing the market but also as a tool to build on your own skills.
Module two covers one of the most essential ingredients of a short story – the characters. A reader needs to connect with your characters to believe in them and to care what happens. This module shows you how to achieve this. It also includes elements about viewpoint, dialogue, ‘show, don’t tell’ and description.
The third module turns to how to structure a short story and how each part – the beginning, middle and end – need to work for your tale to succeed. If one part falls down, the story as a whole falls down. You’ll be given guidance on how to ensure your story satisfies from start to finish.
Finally, module four gives you plenty of inspiration for future ideas to work on, before ending with some final tips.
Exercises And Assignments
There are lots of examples and some writing exercises for you to work through. At the end of modules two, three and four, there is an assignment to complete which you submit for constructive feedback.
Course Outcomes
By the end of the course, you’ll have a good understanding of what makes a good short story, where to send them and you’ll have plenty of ideas for your own.
Included With Your Course
Your course also includes a free supplement where you learn how to lay out your typescript. Presenting your work professionally is essential should you wish to send it off for publication or for a competition.
For the duration of your course you will have access to The Writers Bureau's Writers' Community and free Zoom sessions where you can meet other writers and ask questions.
Trial Period And Time Limit
You have your course on seven-day trial and six months from the date you enrol to send in your assignments. Your course materials are available as soon as your payment has been successful.
Enrol Today
If you want to try your hand at writing short stories, this course is for you. Enrol today.
Today, you’ll find them in literary and mainstream magazines as well as numerous digital publications. There is also a large competition scene, so you won’t be short of a place to submit your stories to. But, even if you don’t want to send your work out, they’re fun to write for yourself and are a great way of building up your writing skills.
In this four-module, online course you cover the basics of short story writing, including where to submit your stories, the importance of creating compelling characters, how to structure your story and you’ll also be given lots of ideas to take away and use in your own work.
The Course
The first module looks at who publishes this form of writing and the importance of researching stories, not only in terms of knowing the market but also as a tool to build on your own skills.
Module two covers one of the most essential ingredients of a short story – the characters. A reader needs to connect with your characters to believe in them and to care what happens. This module shows you how to achieve this. It also includes elements about viewpoint, dialogue, ‘show, don’t tell’ and description.
The third module turns to how to structure a short story and how each part – the beginning, middle and end – need to work for your tale to succeed. If one part falls down, the story as a whole falls down. You’ll be given guidance on how to ensure your story satisfies from start to finish.
Finally, module four gives you plenty of inspiration for future ideas to work on, before ending with some final tips.
Exercises And Assignments
There are lots of examples and some writing exercises for you to work through. At the end of modules two, three and four, there is an assignment to complete which you submit for constructive feedback.
Course Outcomes
By the end of the course, you’ll have a good understanding of what makes a good short story, where to send them and you’ll have plenty of ideas for your own.
Included With Your Course
Your course also includes a free supplement where you learn how to lay out your typescript. Presenting your work professionally is essential should you wish to send it off for publication or for a competition.
For the duration of your course you will have access to The Writers Bureau's Writers' Community and free Zoom sessions where you can meet other writers and ask questions.
Trial Period And Time Limit
You have your course on seven-day trial and six months from the date you enrol to send in your assignments. Your course materials are available as soon as your payment has been successful.
Enrol Today
If you want to try your hand at writing short stories, this course is for you. Enrol today.
Course Tutor
Esther Chilton
Since joining The Writers Bureau as a student many years ago, Esther hasn’t looked back and now writes and tutors full-time. She regularly has articles and short stories published in a variety of newspapers and magazines in the UK and abroad, ranging from The Guardian, to The People’s Friend, to Writing Magazine. As well as winning writing competitions herself, Esther has judged many, including Writers’ Forum magazine’s monthly short story competition. She is currently working with a publisher on a range of non-fiction books on writing.
Course curriculum
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Welcome To Your Course
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WB's Writers' Community
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Totum Student Discount Card – UK Students Only
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Discounted Writing Magazine Subscription For WB Students
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Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
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How To Get The Most Out of Your Course - Study Tips
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How To Download Your Course Modules
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AI Policy
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Module One - Short Story Basics: who publishes short stories, researching the short story market, short story competitions, exercise one.
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Module Two - Characters: character sketches, show, don't tell with examples, exercise two, viewpoint options and examples, writing realistic dialogue with examples, exercise three, adding description, exercise four.
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Assignment One
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Module Three - Building A Short Story: ways of opening your story with a hook, exercise five, tips to develop the middle and hold the reader's interest, how to bring your story to a satisfying close, exercise six, titles, full story example.
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Assignment Two
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Module Four - Generating Ideas: using song or book titles, exercise seven, people watching, locations can inspire, exercise eight, opening lines, exercise nine, final tips.
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Assignment Three
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About this course
- £124.00
- 3 Tutor Marked Assignments
- 7-Day Trial
- Time Limit: 6 Months
Learn to write short stories
Enrol today
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
This course is run in partnership with 'Esther Chilton The Writers Bureau'.
1. 'The Writers Bureau' and 'Esther Chilton The Writers Bureau' Pledge: For the fees quoted 'The Writers Bureau' and 'Esther Chilton The Writers Bureau' will supply the full course and all the services described on our website.
2. Course Cancellation: If you wish to cancel your course you must let us know within 7-days of enrolling on your course for a full refund providing you have not submitted an assignment. Submission of an assignment commits you to the course. Course cancellations after the initial trial period are at the discretion of 'The Writers Bureau' and 'Esther Chilton The Writers Bureau' and will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
3. Time Limit: This agreement lasts for six months. If you wish to extend your studies beyond this time, an extra charge will be made for administration, assessment of assignments, access to the online course materials and community.
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