Short Story Writing: Create Fiction from Personal Experience

Begin by getting to know Shaun. Hear about his adventures as a traveler and as a writer, and see how living in different cultures has shaped his work. He shares some of the short stories that have inspired him and discusses their unique styles.

Shaun takes you through his creative process by brainstorming themes to write about. Using two main routes to composing short stories, he guides you through his process for finding compelling subject matter. Then, watch the story evolve as it takes on a life of its own.

Next, Shaun explores the inevitable hurdles of the writer's life: distractions. Discover how getting distracted can enhance your fiction, and lead to unexpected storylines. Learn how to establish the thread holding your story together, and find inspiration in art, your own memories, and the world around you.

The next unit focuses on personal experience that incorporate elements of fiction. Revisit the brainstorming process to expand the scope of your story. Shaun shares his creative process for digging deeper into your writing to draw your readers in. Learn how to write a strong ending to your story, and then make it even stronger. Then, review and edit your text to fill in the gaps, and make sure your story flows. Last but not least, discover how to choose the perfect title for your short story.

Wrap up the course by exploring the possibility of putting together a collection of short stories, expanding your story into a novel, or writing a memoir. Shaun highlights the importance of unfinished projects and how they can prepare you for deeper and more accomplished work in the future.