The Stages of Writing a Short Story

(A Totally Serious, Extremely Scientific Breakdown)

I’ve been working on several short stories that are in various stages of revision. Perhaps it’s my love of short-story writing, regardless of the narrow market to publish them, or it’s my procrastination from work on my next novel. Whatever the reason, I’ve discovered that there are several stages (ten to be exact!) that I must go through to reach the stage when I feel the story is finally finished.

1. The Spark of Genius

A tiny idea pops into your head, possibly in the shower or while avoiding cleaning the oven, and you’re instantly convinced it’s the greatest concept ever conceived by humankind.

2. The “This Will Be So Easy” Phase

It’s a short story. How hard could it be? You imagine yourself finishing it in an hour, maybe two, and then spending the rest of the day basking in your own brilliance.

3. The Blank Page Standoff

You sit down to write. The cursor blinks. You blink back. A tense silence fills the room. One of you will break first, and it’s usually you.

4. The Overwriting Spiral

You write a paragraph. It’s beautiful. It’s poetic. It’s 300 words describing a tree. You remind yourself this is supposed to be short, but your muse is on a roll and refuses to be concise.

5. The Sudden Plot Crisis

Halfway through, you realize you have no idea what happens next. Your characters are glaring at you like, “Well? You brought us here. Figure it out.”

6. The “Cut 90% of This” Revelation

You reread your draft and discover that your “short” story is now 4,000 words too long and contains three unnecessary subplots, two monologues, and a metaphor you don’t even understand anymore.

7. The Editing Frenzy

You slash sentences, rearrange paragraphs, and delete entire scenes with the cold efficiency of a medieval executioner. You briefly consider cutting the whole story and starting a new life on another planet.

8. The “It’s Done… I Think?” Moment

You reach a point where you can’t tell if the story is brilliant or absolute nonsense. You decide it’s finished because you simply can’t look at it anymore.

9. The Sharing Panic

You send it to a friend, critique partner, or writing group. Then you immediately regret it. What have I done? becomes your new mantra.

10. The Inevitable New Idea

You swear you’re taking a break from writing for a year or two. A week later, a new idea taps you on the shoulder like, “Hey. What if this happened?” And the cycle begins again.

Deb Cushman's Chronicles of Nadavir
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