On Writing Short Stories

"On Writing Short Stories, Second Edition, explores the art and craft of writing short fiction by bringing together nine original essays by professional writers and thirty-three examples of short fiction. The first section features original essays by well-known authors--including Francine Prose, Joyce Carol Oates, and Andre Dubus--that guide students through the process of writing. Focusing on the characteristics and craft of the short story and its writer, these essays take students from the workshopping process all the way through to the experience of working with agents and publishers. The second part of the text is an anthology of stories--many referred to in the essays--that give students dynamic examples of technique brought to life."

- Amazon Books

Tom Bailey gives a visual aid to show how story climax occurs at the cross-section of opposing motivations.

On Writing Short Stories is often used as a textbook for MFA programs, and it's easy to see why. Tom Bailey is joined by various accomplished authors to provide an all-encompassing guide to short story writing. This book will define a short story and its essential elements, teach you how to read one through the lens of a writer, and provide insight on writing habits, motivations, and business relations.

What's nearly as valuable as the teaching advice in the first part of the book is the carefully curated selection of short stories in the second part. While thirty-three short stories may seem like a daunting amount, each is gripping in its own right and every reader is bound to find a handful that resonates with them in terms of technique, delivery, and writing style. Reading this anthology with a critical eye will help you to grow in your own writing, and eventually you'll be writing short stories that will impress your readers in the same way.