How to Write Short Stories: Writing Lesson & Tips, George Wier

[nwlloyd13]

making a connection between the reader and my characters as quickly as possible, how do i get my readers to care about my characters?

[MrTvinci]

I like when people who got their shit together make videos. Thanks for this Psyc!

[Gravyballs2011]

Thank you George.

I'm checking our your instructional videos because for years now I've had people say to me that I should start writing some of my observations, ideas, and characters I've met in life down in some sort of short story format. You give some good tips. Many thanks.

[rtinny987]

Mine is getting the motivation to continue righting. and I am just not satisfied with it being the way it is, like it needs more

[DunkDaMan1]

How's this for short? For my folio writing piece there is a maximum word limit of 1300 words. I guess it's a fun way of making sure you are concise and testing your ability to connect to a reader. Good practise, I advise you do it if you are struggling to write other stories. There is always room for expansion.

[writetothepoint1960]

I think it is very important to keep the story simple, written on the spot (30 minutes), and to write with flow in mind (ie write beginning, middle or end: whatever works). Basically, I agree with all your tips and believe it is a worthwhile guideline to follow.

[NancyMay025]

In a short story, write only relevance and dialogue that drives the plot. There is no need for more than two or three characters. The characters should have a purpose and, not only a cameo appearance. If that is the case is there appearance essential? Good video. Short stories also improve the novel craft.

[thegoodlocust]

Oh, and how strongly would you recommend getting an agent? If so, are their any agents you'd recommended for sci-fi short stories?

[Peopleunit]

Sit on your hands when doing your next video. Nuff said.

[thegoodlocust]

Can you give some tips for publication please? Also, do you drink when you write? Or use any other drugs/stimulants?

[siafx]

My problem: I keep trying to write the next epic masterpiece and coming up short. Then I throw it away.

[Deizelcore]

Extremely helpful.

[Weedleweeb]

Why do I believe short stories have to be true to win competitions?

[hopsicle20]

Very helpful, thanks...

[ANTIGAcomment]

I think one of my problems was, when creating a story, I usually have hesitation on some of ideas that popped in my head like just thinking "sex sells" I kindof embarassed to create things like that that some people might mesjudge me

[babamalik100]

i enjoyed this , want ask about the surreal short story , the tecknig , the end , stuff like that

[whalelover1231]

I have to write a 1-2 page story for school...

I don't think can fit my idea into that short limit..T.T

[wawieism]

lmao

[rrw070193]

I have trouble with revising stories.

[imover18sostfu]

I usually struggle with expressing my ideas. It is whether the event order or self conflict. One more thing is time. Oh and patience. Like, I am always being super exuberant at the start then I gets torpid in the middle of writing. Sometimes I can brainstorm a lot of amazing notions, but they went by so fast. I just wished there had been some sort of machine which could interpret your thoughts and utter it into words. Distraction is something I have to deal with, too. Thanks for sharing the tips

[elkeeleven]

Thanks for this video.

The key point for me was to keep the "MAGIC of the moment".

[ani451]

Are you talking about thinking of the story and writing it all in one evening or just the writing? My biggest issue is getting caught up in one character and not givng supporting characters enough dimension. My other issue is coming up with new ideas (some of my stories are too much alike) and involving things from perspectives futher from my own. I'm ready to get out of my "comfort zone" but don't really know where to start.

[XxPainIsOnlyAWordxX]

to stop patch it up. (Sorry for the two comments). I kinda've find this helpful and I think I'll take this advice and see where it goes...

[XxPainIsOnlyAWordxX]

Hi, umm I came across this video and thought it might be interesting. I'm young, but I've always enjoyed writing little stories in school every now and then and then in my free-time. A few years back I got into roleplaying (lol yes I feel a little nerdy for it) but since then I've found that I speak and write with volcabulary really I hear nobody else use. But almost every story I do now I can get it started off good and feel great but kinda've lose it and need to make a large drama/action scene

[fitzerg]

The problem is to have a good reason to write at the first place: If you can make money with writing to feed your family.

[TheKnightmare5]

Hi George, great tips! If at all possible, could you cover how to "flesh out" a story idea into an actual plot? That seems to be one of my biggest issues; I come up with some great ideas, but I just have a difficult time starting the stories and doing the actual writing. Thanks!

[12quillemall5321]

My problem are the nay sayers who often discourage me. I become frustrated and depressed because I often hope the closet people to me would be supportive of me.

[severecracker]

Very interesting, My issue is making a non fiction , fiction . I can't write a story as nonfiction to protect , well hmmm MY WORLD. Also; creativity never stops ,by the time I have a chance to sit down a new subject arises. Maybe I should keep my own journals. My father RIP told me I should write a book.

[JessieJoystick]

My problem when writing is to finish the stories. I always think I have a good idea, I write half of the story and than I leave the project for some reason. And when I want to start writing again I don't continue working on any of my half-written stories, I start over, because I think I have a better idea :P

[gsogoz]

Great video as always. Thanks!

[bibbleblab11]

Hi George, great tips thank you. I'm presently working ona couple of short stories from ideas I came up with while on holiday in Italy. I found myself on the banks of Lake Trasimine, to my wife & everyone else a very lovely place. To me it was the location of one of the biggest battles fought by Hannibal after he invaded from the Alps. Needless to say it inspired me to write some stuff down. I now have enough material for a good short story based upon this location.

[BITARTEN]

Thanks

[Muzikmanflames]

This has been very helpful. I have a couple of ideas that I've been working on and just got stuck.. I'm going to try the method that you gave of going to the end and working your way back . Thanks again.

[seanwalsh1111]

No offense to this guy who's talking or the massage & yoga ladies, but what happened to the quality mind control & psychological warfare videos this channel used to upload regularly? I really hope you guys aren't turning a blind eye to the dark side cuz the world needs a reality check now more than ever, more than writing fiction stories, face massages & cheerleader routines. Mind control is a great topic to write about too, this channel used to inspire me to write about mind control!!

Peace.

[CathodeRay00]

Thank you for the advice. Writing in a short amount of time seems like a really good idea. My difficulty is that I don't seem to have the discipline to get started. I just stall when I'm thinking through an idea and it seems too complicated. So I end up thinking about my ideas for weeks, instead of writing anything down. Then they feel a bit stale and I don't want to write them.

[LupusLife]

Easy to have a story idea but really tough to get started

[Avatarclone]

Story blows up, all cant fit the story. Simply would need a 3D paper to get all in. Just becomes too complicated to fit on paper. :(

[maciexp]

what the fuck for i am supposed to write a short stroy ?

[Lioness9885]

I always start but can never finish ;/

[celtichost54]

Thank you and I have difficulty not with ideas but with description. I have a difficulty with describing the situations to make them interesting. For example I have a hard time making someone walking in a room interesting.

[FacingWorlds]

I hope to see more of these! :>

[hadiuk]

Psychetruth rocks.... 

[hadiuk]

that was a good good good video.... liked..... thank you

[BigBtop]

Is there any way we could contact you for questions?

[texaswier]

@BigBtop Please post them here. I'll be checking back from time to time and will try to answer some things here. However, I'd like to save some questions to address in a video. So, post here, and we could use youtube to converse. Thanks!

[BigBtop]

@texaswier Ok, I'm 16 and I'm writing a "Sci-Fi Thriller" manuscript. I was wondering can you read my first two or three pages and tell me if I'm on a good track.

[texaswier]

@BigBtop The question shouldn't necessarily be "am I on the right track?", it should be more like "how can I get to the point where I can make up my own mind whether or not I'm on the right track?", because ultimately it all comes down to you. What do you really think of your writing? And why? You, yourself, should compare yourself to others whom you consider great. For now, go ahead and email your chapters to psychetruth. I'll get them and will reply personally. Thanks!

[BigBtop]

@texaswier Ok, I just messaged you.

[jiml04030]

George,

Thank you for tips on writing. I would like to write but really didn't have any idea how to proceed in a productive way. I will check out your web site.

Thanks... James