How To Outline A Short Story – For Beginners

In this post, we share a template that will show you how to outline a short story, especially if you are a beginner.

If you’re looking for an outlining tool to help you write a short story, you will love this template.

1. National Short Story Day in the UK is on 21 December, the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere.
2. Short Story Day Africa is celebrated on 21 June, the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere.

If you want to learn how to write a short story, sign up for our online course.

Writing Short Stories

Writing short stories is a great way to learn the craft of writing and to discover your strengths and weaknesses. You need fewer words, and there is less pressure than writing a long novel.

There are many short story competitions to enter. These are great for setting deadlines and for giving you a potential platform for your work. These short-terms goals can be good motivators for you.

There are fewer rules in writing short stories. You can write about one of your character’s backstories, or follow the fate of a supporting character after they’ve left your novel.

If you want to learn how to outline a short story, use this template.

How To Outline A Short Story – For Beginners

Source for poster

Looking for resources on the craft?

1. If you want to learn how to write a short story, sign up for our online course.
2. The Short Story Checklist
3. How To Show And Not Tell In Short Stories

by Amanda Patterson

If you enjoyed this post, read:

1. 6 Sub-Plots Every Writer Should Know
2. How To Write Great Dialogue In Fiction
3. What Is An Unreliable Narrator? 9 Types Every Writer Should Know
4. How Writers Use The 4 Main Characters As Literary Devices
5. Mastering Point Of View In Writing
6. 7 Essential Elements Every Writer Must Master
7. 12 Setting Secrets Every Storyteller Needs To Know
8. 17 Ways To Think Like A Writer Every Day
9. Why The Silence Of The Lambs Is A Masterclass For Thriller Writers
10. Write A Page-Turning Book Blurb In Just 5 Steps

Top Tip: Sign up for our free daily writing links.