Short Stories

To write compelling short stories for young adults and children, focus on an immediate, age-appropriate perspective, engaging characters who drive the action, and a concise plot with a strong beginning, middle, and end. Ensure your story has an underlying sense of hope and avoids being preachy.

Core Principles for All Young Readers

• Read Widely: The best way to learn is by reading current and classic books in your target age category (picture book, middle grade, or YA) to understand the style, structure, and themes that resonate with readers.
• Keep it Concise: Short stories have limited space. Avoid unnecessary descriptions or subplots. Every scene and sentence should either advance the plot or reveal character.
• Show, Don’t Tell: Use action, dialogue, and sensory details to convey emotions and information rather than explicitly stating them. This creates a more immersive experience.
• Give the Protagonist Agency: The child or young adult main character should be the one to solve their own problems and drive the narrative, with adults remaining in the background.
• Avoid Preachiness: Focus on raising questions and exploring situations rather than teaching explicit lessons. Readers are quick to spot inauthentic or condescending prose.
• Revise and Edit: The first draft is just the beginning. Take time to step away from your work, then return to edit for clarity, impact, and flow. Reading the story aloud can help catch awkward phrasing.

Tips for Writing for Children (Middle Grade & Younger)

• Relatable, Age-Appropriate Characters: Protagonists should typically be the age of the target audience or slightly older. For middle grade, characters are usually 10-13 years old.
• Simple Language & Structure: Opt for clear, straightforward sentences and an easy-to-follow structure. While “reach” words can be used occasionally, avoid overly complex vocabulary that might disrupt the reading experience.
• Clear Conflict & Resolution: Introduce a central problem early in the story. While dark themes can be explored, the story should maintain a sense of hope and usually offers a satisfying resolution.
• Incorporate Visuals (for Picture Books): If writing for younger children, write with illustrations in mind, letting the pictures do some of the storytelling. Storyboard templates can help plan the flow.
• Use Humor and Repetition: Humor, wordplay, and rhythmic or repetitive phrases can make stories engaging and fun for young children to read or listen to repeatedly.

Tips for Writing for Young Adults (YA)

• Immediate Perspective: Write in an immediate voice, often first-person present tense, reflecting the character’s real-time experience without adult hindsight or reflection.
• Explore Complex Themes: YA fiction can address nearly any “touchy” or serious subject, from social issues to sexuality, but the focus should remain on the character’s experience and growth.
• High Stakes & Quick Pace: Hook the reader immediately and keep the story moving. Use short chapters and cliffhangers to maintain engagement.
• Hopeful Endings: Even with grim subjects, YA novels typically offer a glimmer of hope or a sense of possibility, allowing the reader to believe in the character’s potential for a better future.
• Authentic Voice: Avoid using outdated slang, which can quickly date a book. Instead, focus on an authentic voice that captures the emotional landscape and thought patterns of contemporary teenagers.