Hatrack River Writers Workshop: what IS a Short Story

This is topic what IS a Short Story in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by avarose (Member # 1513) on :

I've been told a short story is less than 10,000 words (< 50 pages)? < 22 pages are preferred.

I've been told that multiple scenes can disqualify a story as a short story (even when it is less than 22 pages?).

Is there is a limit to the number of "scenes" a short story can have?

If so what is the limit?

Is this true all the time? Even if the story you are telling, demands this progression of locales?

Is there a limit to characters in a short story? Or just well developed characters in a story?

If so what is the limit? 1? 2? <5?

Can you have more than one POV in a story?

If so what is the limit?

When we are talking about Science Fiction/Fantasy sometimes the goal is implausible in the real world, even our conflict is implausible. Is this really a problem?

How specific do you need to be when you are writing? Extremely? And if you are specific, then what’s the point of telling a story? Writing a paragraph? Writing a sentence?

Thanks… I could really use some concrete answers…

All the best,
Ann

Posted by Rahl22 (Member # 1411) on :

I believe the only qualification is <7,500 words. That's it.

Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :

Rahl22 is correct.

Everything else you asked about, Ann, comes under the heading of suggested or preferred things for short stories--they change from one story to the next.

If you want to read a good (and short as well as inexpensive) book about short story writing, I'd strongly recommend WRITING IN GENERAL AND THE SHORT STORY IN PARTICULAR by Rust Hills.

I think it will answer a lot of your questions about short stories.