For the past month I’ve been working on a short story for this year’s Mysterious Murders Short Story Competition. With a limit of 3,000 words, it’s a challenge I’m enjoying. It’s definitely a smaller word count than the usual 6,000-7,000 words of my Bow Street Society Casebook stories! Every writer will tell you a short story is a different beast to tackle compared to a novel. In this month’s blog, I’m going to share the challenges I’ve faced and the lessons I’ve learnt after writing 30+ short stories.
1) Less is more
The biggest challenge I have when writing a short story, compared to a novel, is including a lot of information in a small number of words. Information can be conveyed through showing, e.g., description and plot points, as well as telling, e.g., dialogue and internal monologue. Scene structure, specifically characters’ actions and interactions, is key to getting this balance right. The context in which a character enters a situation, both literally and figuratively, can portray a lot of information without info-dumping. The most important thing to remember is to remove anything which serves no purpose in terms of plot or character development.
2) The Hook
Whenever I’m pondering ideas for short stories, I usually try and start with the “hook”, the eye-catching aspect of a crime/problem the Bow Street Society are commissioned to investigate. For example, a teacup at the centre of a blackmail case, or a lighthouse as the scene of a baffling disappearance. Identifying the hook usually gives me a solid foundation to build the rest of the story upon. It also ensures the end story is intriguing enough to not only draw the reader in but keep them there.
3) A short story is a rollercoaster
One aspect in which short stories and novels are similar is the need to have both peaks and troughs in the narrative. The thrilling climax is only possible due to the calm, yet steady, build beforehand. Equally, a character can only be relatable if aspects of their personality, etc, are portrayed within the narrative. Sometimes, a character reveals more about themselves in the quieter moments than in the louder ones.
4) Short stories must be as polished as your novel
It’s tempting to skip the planning and / or editorial stages of writing a short story because they seem less important compared to a novel. However, the story you ultimately end up with will still be a reflection of you as its writer, regardless of its length. Therefore, it’s important to plan (if that works for you) and edit the story to ensure it’s as polished as it can be.
I’m still learning my craft as much as the next writer. What I’ve shared above are observations from personal experience and might not work for everyone. I hope you found them useful, though. I appreciate your support as always!
~ T.G. Campbell, August 2026
Leave a Reply