Brainerd Writers Alliance met Saturday morning at the Brainerd Library. Every month a different member is asked to present a short educational program. It was my turn and I shared my notes from a fall workshop given by Brian Malloy at the Pine City Writing Conference.
Mr. Malloy’s theory of the five steps of a short story:
1. normal situation of the character
2. complication to routine–rising action
3. Crisis turning point
4. Falling action–new normal in aftermath of crisis
5. resolution–change occurs
My current writing project is a series of linked short stories about a mythical Minnesota township in the mid 1940s. It was helpful to dig out the notes from the Malloy workshop and review the process again. Wish me luck! I still need another five or six short stories to complete the project.
7 Responses
Saved, I really like your site! 🙂
thanks for the comment. check in often. I’ll be posting frequently. thanks!
These steps are the same as classic 4-Act story structure for novel or screen writing. I feel such joy at finally “getting it.”
There’s so much to learn! thanks for taking the time to comment. Check back again.
hi nice blog^^
It has been a pleasure for me to read this post. Good Stuff!
Candace
I worked with Kieth at Brainerd.
I have written a book of short stories about everything I remember 1940’s to now. I am lost on the path to publishing???? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Daryl
Daryl Bahma
1215 SE 11th Street
Brainerd, Mn 56401
218-454-3000
weconstitutionalpatriots@brainerd.net