How to write a short story.
How I did it: I actually didn't act on this goal right away, then finally an idea came to mind and I went with it. I like horror, and the macabre, so I started there. I am fond of role playing so I decided to come up with a character much like I would for gaming, and then think on his personality and write from his point of view. It was challenging to think up a situation, that could be partially described, but not given away, as to lead to the reader to become curious about what was going on. (but not in such a way that the situation was too confusing).
Warning, minor adult content and language to follow:
Like a Fish...
Some time, into my work, I noticed Danielle's change in behavior. She
had grown completely silent, in diametric opposition to the habitual
tittering I had grown accustomed.
I shot a quick glance over my
shoulder. The expression on her face completely severed my
concentration. She reminded me of a dying fish... skin like scales,
pale and glistening in sweat, glimmering under the swaying lights. Her
mouth had become agape, rhythmically closing and reopening futilely.
The woman was out of her element and knew it. It was too late to do
anything about it now. Her eyes, glassy and dead, looked through the
grisly scene, fixed on an invisible point beyond. I fully expected her
to collapse at any moment, in a comically deranged display of frantic
fish flip-flopping.
For a moment I found the thought amusing.
The black humor of it excited the dark recesses of my brain. This was
immediately replaced with aggravation, as I wondered why I bothered to
take her along. I instinctively knew she didn't have the brass for the
job. She swore otherwise and flaunted her womanly wiles. I'm a sucker
for big breasts and a tight ass. I should have ignored my dick and gone
with my gut. Perhaps, subconsciously, I wanted a reason to get rid of
her. She's a liability, and I've never been much of a conversationalist.
It
was more then that, I knew. I had developed genuine feelings for the
girl. I loved her... when she kept her mouth shut. Unfortunately, these
moments were few and far between. It is somewhat ironic, that she
should be so quiet, now that I've decided to dispose of her.
I'll
make it quick, before she regains her composure. Wouldn't want to ruin
the moment... wouldn't want to say goodbye on unpleasant terms.
Resources: I spent some time reading about the creative writing process.
