WELCOME TO
SHORT FICTION!
Created by Danielle Urban
About the Course
 This course is designed to teach you all that you need to know about writing short
fiction.
 You will explore different genres in short fiction that are best sellers.
 What is the difference between a short fiction and a novel?
 Learn how to write a beginning, middle, and ending.
 Learn how to develop your plot and your characters.
 How to be descriptive when writing?
 Practice makes perfect!
 Outlining, revising, editing your manuscripts.
 Where to publish and how?
Course Layout:
Step 1 Basics
Explore
genres
Step 2 Beginning
Write the
Beginning
Step 3 Middle
Write the
Middle
Step 4 End
Write the
Ending
Brainstorming
ideas
Scenes &
Sequels
Scenes &
Sequels
Scenes &
Sequels
Character
Sketches
Descriptive
Writing
Conflicts
How to end
your Fiction?
Outlining
Revising
Revising
Revising &
Publishing
What is the difference between Short Fiction & a Novel?
The difference between the two is the
length. Look at the list below.
- Micro-Fiction: Under 100 words
- Flash Fiction: 100-1,000 words
- Short Story: 1,000-7,500 words
- Novelette: 7,500 - 20,000 words
- Novella: 20,000 - 50,000 words
- Novel: 50,000-100,000 words
- Epic: 110,000+ words
LET’S EXPLORE GENRES!
Step 1
Romance - Short
Fiction
Exploring Genres
Must Love Pets: A Romance Box Set
Book Summary
Romance
NY Times, USA Today, Amazon and B&N bestselling authors! Love dogs, love cats, love romance!
Seven tales of love .Girl with the Cat Tattoo - Theresa Weir, NY Times bestselling author & Rita award
winner For cat lovers everywhere, this sweet, quirky, and delightful romance is about a young woman
and her matchmaking cat. When Sam the cat takes it upon himself to find his young mistress a new
mate, he accidentally stirs up memories better left forgotten. A little bit of mystery, a whole lot of
whimsy. Groomed for Murder - Zoe Dawson Brooke Palmer's exclusive doggie spa, Pawlish, is sued
when a client's pampered champion gets a bad poodle cut. The client's lawyer is drop-dead gorgeous
Drew Hudson, but Brooke won't be wooed by a corporate shark in a sharp suit. This frivolous lawsuit is
Drew's chance to advance to partner, but things get complicated when he finds that the side he's
rooting for isn't the side he's fighting for. I t's a Dog's Life - Dale Mayer Ninna's new job in the local
animal shelter includes a yummy vet...and a dog who talks to her. Not just any dog...a fat, old, smartalecky Basset Hound who says his name is Mosey. With all this going on, she doesn't have time to
worry about the rash of break-ins and the sense of being watched. She's too busy worrying that she's
nuts. Christmas at Angel Lake - Edie Ramer In a heartwarming tale of love, producer Logan MacLeesh,
dumped by the woman he loves, lets squatter Maddie Barrymore, her young son and cat stay in his
grandmother's house... as long as she tells him a story every night. Far away, in another state, a
homeless dog begins an impossible journey to find the man who's meant for him…
Continued…
 The Mutt and the Matchmaker - JB Lynn Private investigator Tom Hanlon is
investigating a string of home burglaries when a pushy matchmaker sets him up with
his main suspect - quirky dog walker Jane Bly - and her foster mutt, Calamity. Tom's
trying to catch a thief, but it may be his heart that's stolen. The Man, The Dog, His
Owner & Her Lover - Candace Carrabus When Stephanie O'Hanlon, 40-something
workaholic, gets laid off and rescues a dog inhabited by her lover from a former life,
she discovers the meaning of crazy. Handyman Gabe Fagen is crazy-in-love with
Steph, but will she notice he's alive with a mysterious giant dog acting as her
guardian angel? Walk in Beauty - Barbara Samuel, seven-time Rita award winner A
highly emotional tale of lost love and second chances. Long ago, Luke Bernali's
proud Navajo blood and strong carpenter's hands made genteel Jessie Callahan fall
heedlessly in love, but Luke let her down. Now, eight years later, Jessie is back and
Luke is determined to recapture the heart of the woman he's never stopped missing.
Can a fierce, desperate long-ago love soar anew?
Critical Thinking
 After reading this collection of short romance fiction, can you identify the plot? The
conflicts?
 Write the answers down on a piece of paper. Answers will be released to you at the
end.
 Are each of the individual stories in this short fiction collection believable? Are they
realistic? Can readers connect with the characters in these stories? Why or why
not?
Mystery Short Fiction by Agatha Christie
 After Mr. St. Vincent's death, his family is plunged into poverty. Living in reduced
circumstances, they are surprised to find an elegant townhouse—with staff—for a
suspiciously cheap rent. Why would Lord Listerdale lend them his home for such a low
price, and why are the servants so accommodating?
Critical Thinking
 What is the story’s conflict?
 What catches your attention after
reading the brief summary of what the
book is about?
 Now on your own, write a brief summary
like the one you just read for a mystery
book.
 Is your brief summary lead readers’
interest about it? Why or why not?