John Hewitt’s Writing Tips: Lean stories get published
December 1, 2005 by John Hewitt
Remember that space and story length are key issues when submitting work for publication — both in print and online. For print publications the issue is simple. The longer one story is, the less space they will have for other stories. While you might think that length is less of an issue for online publications because they don’t have to pay for paper and ink, the problem is that people don’t like to read long stories on their computer. Reading for long periods of time on a computer is inconvenient and it makes the eyes hurt.
This is not meant to discourage you from writing longer stories. A story should be as long as it needs to be. What you should keep in mind, however, is that a story should not be one word longer than it needs to be — especially if you want to get published. Be brutal when you edit your work. Ask yourself what can be cut and what absolutely needs to stay. A lean, tightly-edited story has an advantage over a longer, more rambling story.
While you never want to cut so much from your story that it no longer makes sense or says what you want to say, you need to look carefully for padding and unnecessary exposition. Most inexperienced writers don’t fail with their initial stories; they fail when editing and rewriting.
Related links
- Fifteen Writing Exercises (0.500)
- How to Create Fictional Characters Using Adversity (0.500)
- 12 Exercises for Improving Dialog (0.500)
- How to Create Fictional Characters (0.500)
- Writing Productivity -- Using an Idea Log (0.500)
Contact John Hewitt
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Email: hewitt@poewar.comPhone: (520) 261-6104
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I like this advice about writing lean. I think of writings such as Raymond Chandler, Annie Ernaux and James M. Cain where the writing is very precise. Now,what I’d like to know is where do you go about trying to get published your lean fiction?
I am 64 years old, a nurse, MS Senior Alabama 1st Alternate, my true survival story and my life story in general is totally unbelievable. I need a co author to help with this phonomonial story. Oprah would snatch this true story book up in a flash. All is true and documented. I worked in Hospice and Psych, trust me I know an this is beyond anything you have ever read. Do you know of someone interested? Have them email me with a phone number. It happened to me yet I could read this book and not want to put it down. It definately needs to be put on paper.
Hi Jewel,
Thank you for writing in. If you want someone to help you write a story about your life, your best bet is to find a ghostwriter. Ghostwriters write stories for other people in exchange for a set or hourly fee. The best way to hire one of these people would be to use a site such as elance.com. Advertise what you want and allow the writers to bid on the job. Please note, you will have to PAY them. Writers almost never write someone else’s story based on potential sales or royalties. They will want to be paid directly for their efforts. Getting the book published and marketed are separate tasks that you will have to take on when the time comes.
Best of luck!
I have written children stories,poetry,and adult books.Do you know anyone who would be interested in hiring me to come up with story ideas?
Hi Sierra,
Story ideas are generally not in demand. Most writers have plenty of ideas of their own and most publishers are looking for people who will work through the whole process.
Good luck,
John
Great advice. Short stories are not easy to write / or get published. Even If you master “lean” (ie. >1500 wds) and “dialogue” the competition for print magazines’ attention is fierce! Keep writing. Keep submitting. Paper your walls with rejections. Promote yourself – start local, think global. Join like minded writers and network.
Is it possible to be employed simply to read books and give an opinion on them?
Hi Nicole,
There are opportunities. They are few and far between. They pay next to nothing, and everybody wants to do it. I wish you luck, but I don’t want to get your hopes up.