how I write my short stories ✻ world, character & theme

I always approach my stories on an axis of world, character and theme - this is how I apply that framework to short fiction specifically, but could be applicable to longer works too. hope it's helpful and feel free to share your own processes below!
timestamps:
0:00 intro
0:48 my journey with short fiction
1:46 world, setting and atmosphere
3:41 setting as character
6:54 be constantly curious
8:06 character movement vs character arc
10:04 internal and external conflict
12:48 tone and theme
14:44 every story has a theme, even unintentionally
15:43 theme as the narrative pillar of your story
19:11 conclusion
_____
/ about /
i'm kris (she/her), a speculative fiction writer documenting my writing process, ongoing projects and chatting about craft ☀️
/ where to find me /
blog: kmfajardo.wordpress.com/
twitter: / km_fajardo
instagram: / krismfajardo
goodreads: / krismfajardo
storygraph: app.thestorygraph.com/profile...
🎧 music:
SaDoH - Doux - thmatc.co/?l=53665A32
#authortube #writing

[@ananeu]

we love kris explaining the deep, philosophic message behind The Office.

[@KrisMF]

HAHAHA THANK YOU 😩💛

[@laurenct]

That bit about including external pressure at all times! I was in a bit of a writing rut in the current spec fic piece I’m writing :’) everything was frustratingly linear and I couldn’t feel any successful thematic punches to the readers’ gut till the third section - so I’m taking the time to reframe the storyline and my thematic pillars! For me, writing a story is hard to stay passionate about if there isn’t anything of substance to cling to (be it theme or character). Insightful video as always, Kris!

[@bttmofthebrrlstudios]

This is a good, thorough breakdown! And good catch about sometimes having to discover the theme or message through the writing process. That's definitely the case for a lot of the things I've written! I don't have a formal process for writing (at least not that I'm consciously adhering to) but I do think of it as like... Everything's a series of dominoes. Even when you're inspired and the characters are "writing themselves" it's still your subconscious setting up and knocking down a line of causes and consequences. That being said, on a line level, I often find that determining the various levels of _sincerity_ in dialogue and action makes discovering a story's message that much easier. For example, I once wrote a short piece where two characters were discussing someone who wasn't present, and Character A said they were a bad person, citing "takes one to know one." Character B then came back to this later, pointing out they didn't think Character A was such a bad person themselves, as they were looking out for their brother. It wasn't a very polished piece, or I'd have pushed the themes of judgement vs giving chances a little more, but it was a piece where I gave that first offhand remark sincerity beneath the bitterness and the sincerity was responded to.

[@KrisMF]

ooooh yes great point, fine-tuning a short story at a line-level is a whole other beast!

[@billyalarie929]

i just saved this video in 3 different spots i have for my youtube playlists the first is called "curing my depression" the second is called "goated shit" the third is called "writing advice" thank you for this, you seriously explained this in a way that i now understand this WAY better than i already thought i had!!!! thank you!!!

[@DarrianChamblee]

It’s like you knew I needed to write a short story this weekend (I joined an in person writing group and need one to submit for the 27th!!!). Love these tips!

[@sincerelyvee]

i reallyyyyy want to try writing a short story at some point in my life but i'm so scared for some reason LOL. this video was SO helpful though and filled with such great tips!! thanks for sharing it!!!🤍

[@KrisMF]

AW thanks for watching vee

[@kelleyiswriting]

Ahh I loved this video!! I loveeee short fiction so much. It's interesting to hear you say that world/setting/atmosphere is the driving factor for your short stories, but character is the driving factor for your novels! I think mine are about the same, but I definitely love a no plot just vibes for short fiction. The short story you're working on now sounds so exciting, I already know it's going to be amazing!! I need a collection of your cyberpunk stories. They make me feel ALIVE!!

[@KrisMF]

AHHH at this point I'm so tempted to publish a cyberpunk short story collection! :')

[@Lara_Ameen]

I love this video! I was just on a panel on Publishing Short Stories and talked about some of this stuff. Love hearing your process.

[@lynndjung]

loved this video so much kris!! I've been so hungry for more insights on short story writing-I really loved hearing your examples and I'm so excited to read sway with me

[@KrisMF]

of course!!!

[@micahlynx]

i’ve been trying to get back into writing after a veryy long break and was thinking of writing a short story so this video couldn’t have come at a better time :)

[@AdamFishkin]

9:40 "How does the character move?" This approach never occurred to me, but the next time I'm working, it'll be more than worth a try. (Edit: you went on to elaborate the things you meant by 'movement'. But I started thinking of the hypothetical character not just physically ... though physical moves were the main thing I jumped on ... but also their presence within any given scene. How they exercise a personal influence on their surroundings and on other characters is a thing that matters.)

[@chrisplatt6842]

Fascinating video. Great to hear your insights. I'm more of a short story writer so found this really informative. Just discovered your channel and subscribed 👍