They say everyone has a story in them. The first-ever Nine to Noon Short Story Competition is a great opportunity to write and share yours.
The five winning stories will be produced for radio and broadcast on Nine to Noon in November.
Photo: Pexels
Tina Makereti Photo: Penguin NZ
Specific details and engaging characters are central to the art of writing a short story, Tina Makereti tells Kathryn Ryan.
"I love how a short story, by being very very specific and precise in terms of time, place and character, can open out the world in an expansive way,"
New writers often think they have to have a big idea or know what exactly they're doing before they start writing, but you can also write a story without knowing where it's going, as she does.
Good short stories capture a single moment or a handful of moments in time.
"Short stories leave us with a sense of unknown at the same time as they try to name what is known. I love that paradox."
Writing is a process of discovery so don't worry if your initial story is well over 2000 words. You can then edit it down into size.
If you're new to storytelling it's best to stick to familiar types of people and circumstances, she says.
"Write in the language of your world."
Harry Ricketts Photo: Victoria University
Setting the story in a world you know "at least fairly well" will give you writing confidence, says Harry Ricketts.
"Try and write quite close to the way you actually talk.
"I think it's important not to 'dress up' for the story. Don't pretend to talk in a way that's not natural to you… and trust your instincts. If as you're writing something seems right to you then go with it."
Good short stories include a shift that lands the reader in a slightly different place than where they were at the start of the story, Harry says.
"It might be a problem which somehow reveals character, it might be a chance in perception or realisation or understanding, some moment of enlightenment.
"A great short story gives us a glimpse into a life so immediate that we feel we know both that person and their world."
Many involve some aspect of failure, which is very often more interesting to read about than success, he says.
"You don't have to write a triumph or something which ends on a glow… lots of wonderful stories end on a downbeat."
Harry and Tina both love the writing process.
You might too if you're someone who "really enjoys mucking around with words", Harry says.
"There's nothing like being in the middle of a short story and the lights are coming on in your brain as you're working. That's fantastically exciting."
The Nine to Noon Short Story Competition is open to anyone over 16 years of age and stories should be as close to 2,000 words as possible. Your story must be with us by 1 October. Winners will be announced on 29 October.
Photo: RNZ
