How to Write a Short Story

[JustASceneToHate]

I love this. So true about the muse, if you aren't at the desk, it doesn't happen. That's been my problem for a long time. I keep thinking my muse will motivate me to write my story, but it doesn't work that way. I have to sit down and make myself write, and then the inspiration flows.

[lauraleelenhoff]

i love that quote "the muse comes to the desk"

[parakidd]

This is one if not the best video on writing tips I have seen. Well, at least for my problems, thoughts and ideas and lack of experience as an aspiring writer.

[RichardFeynmanRules]

I love his cat traipsing through just as he talks about something unexpected happening!

[MissVHaven]

Yes! Yes! Yes! I feel validated, especially about where the muse lives and the nobility of moving through the sadness, but not denying it or ignoring it. Give it its proper place and distinction.

[j.tucker]

I've found that solutions to my stories, new ideas often come when I'm not writing. I might be working out, eating lunch, browsing at Barnes & Noble... even at my day job, ideas shoot all round: titles, character names, and scenes. I've found the little Note app on my phone is a handy way to catch those splices of ideas and thoughts. Many times they don't end up in stories or become anything; other times they turn into full scenes. Guess the point is to keep wondering, thinking about your work.

[Lisarata]

I couldn't write until I faced the reality that even great things end in sadness. I couldn't accept that when I was younger, especially coming out of the Mormon Church, where you can seemingly make something beautiful last forever. But the gift of the hard truths that I faced was, now I love the story of it all.

[TheGrumps]

I love John Dufresne's writing den. It's an environment I can relate to. Now to follow his advice and get some writing done.

[scottlawder]

Well said-the nobility is that we face it and go on, we love again.

[guillermoalonso]

The muse can also come while you're falling asleep by 3 in the morning and have to wake up early...
Very good!

[kingfisher]

He right about the muse. It's like they see you are a writer and come over and whisper suggestions over your shoulder and before long they sort of press themselves into you and start writing some of the story themselves. But there is something else, somebody else, too. There is another "character" who may not be "the muse" and is more like a good photojournalist who suddenly sees a picture that is a story. Photographers call taking a picture at the right time "the capture." Some people are able to "see" the right time in an instant. Often they say "the camera loved" a certain person or setting. I'm a retired journalist/photojournalist and this happens to me with both writing fiction and taking photos. I'll hear a phrase, read a bit of history, or see a boy ride by my house on his bicycle with a fishing pole and the "camera" in my mind goes "there it is! There is a story in that!" The camera loved it.

[PrateekT]

Spotted at 0:46: Screenplay, The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field (in the foreground; a gavel-like object on top of it revealing the cover just barely).

[adelsayadkooh]

It is inspiring and finally i found a talk that is reasonable as well! particularly about romantic muse of writing...

[mariemmattoussi]

what he said in under 3 minutes was brilliant but.... why did I volunteer to do a short story for the french teacher damn it! (╥﹏╥) I need to be slapped

[aol]

So many great points. Thank you Professor John Dufresne. [This has me wondering who was the first person to write that cliché 'happy ever after'?!]

[doriswhite]

Very helpful, thank you.  Love the room; all those books.

[adqueen]

1:35 I've never related to someone that hard as I did in that moment.

[FlaviaFrossard]

There are two things that help me to write my short stories:
1. Limit of Characters – There is a limited set of characters, one single action and a simple plot (often: exposition, complication, crisis, and contains a sad or happy ending).

2.Place and Time – A short story restricts to only one sitting (fixed place and time, and social surroundings).

If you want to read many nice short stories, please look for my name on Widbook.

[writewithme]

damn this is top notch advice, no advice at all except give it a go

[carolynscott]

At 2:20, what is that? Story on the right and what's on the left? Ideas? Notes? Editing? Excellent video, BTW.