#1 Short Story Draft Projects

Short Story - Draft #1

Using your journal or the exercises we wrote in class, compose a short story. Your short story can be any genre or length, deal with any issue you wish to write about. It is completely up to you.

Short Story – Draft #2

Write draft #2 of your current short story. Your second draft should expand your first draft by about 50%. Add details, scenes, dialogue, plot elements, description, literary devices, etc. where appropriate.

For your second draft, focus on character. Remove minor characters or characters who do not add to the story. Flesh out your protagonist (perhaps shift POV) so that he/she has a stake in the story, a goal to achieve. Rewrite and remove static or 2-dimensional (flat) or stereotypical characters. Use a foil to enhance your protagonist. Develop your characters through characterization.

Short Story – Draft #3

Write draft #3 of your current short story. Your third draft should cut and reduce non-essential material in your current draft. Remove tired language, clichés, scenes that are irrelevant or not significant to building characterization, plot, or theme. Correct grammar and awkward syntax. Try to reduce redundant or weak description. Try to reduce your 2nd draft by about 25%.