Here we define the term 'short story' and the ideal word count for your story.

This video looks at some of the different short story genres. Also included is an exercise that will help you focus on the kind of story you'd like to write (you will need to download this as a PDF from the downloadable materials section on the dashboard).

This is Writing Exercise 1, which was included as a download in Lecture 4 - What Kind of Stories Do You Want to Write? I've included it as a separate lecture here so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

In this video you'll learn why it's so important to find a market before you start to write your story. You'll also discover the best ways to analyse a magazine's requirements and find writing markets for your work.

Also included is a downloadable list of some of the most popular short story markets in the USA, UK and other countries.

This is the list of Short Story Markets that was included as a download in the previous lecture - Find Your Market Before You Start to Write. I've included it as a separate lecture so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

This video lesson will help you to understand how to write a story that meets the editor's requirements.

If you've got an idea for a story that doesn't quite fit the magazine markets, you may want to consider other ways to get your story published, including competitions, online publication and self-publishing.

This lesson also includes a downloadable file with tips on how to increase your chances in writing competitions.

This is the Competition Tips handout which was included as a download in Lecture 9 - Other Ways To Get Your Stories Published. I've included it as a separate document lecture so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

Where do you get your ideas? This is the question that all writers get asked. In this lesson we'll look at some of the ways that writers can generate ideas and themes for their stories.

The lesson includes some downloadable writing exercises called Cook-Up-A-Story, which provide story prompts for anyone who is struggling to come up with ideas of their own.

This is the Cook-up-a-Story Exercise which was included as a download with Lecture 11 - Where Do You Get Your Ideas? I've included it as a separate document lecture here so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

Also included are downloadable PDFs that includes some bonus Cook-up-a-Story ideas and some extra Cook-up-a-Story ideas.

Successful short stories are those that have an opening that draws the reader (and magazine editor!) right into the story. A good opening makes people want to read on.

This video lesson looks at some of the best ways to create a good opening and get your story off to a flying start!

This video begins by considering the differences between plot and structure. It then takes a look at the traditional plot of a short story, before explaining some of the different ways writers can structure their story.

This lesson includes materials for you to download and keep, including a Plot Diagram, and a template to help you plan your story before you start to write.

This is the Plot Structure handout which was included as a download in Lecture 14 - Structure and Plot. 

This is the Story Plan Worksheet which was included as a download in Lecture 14 - Structure and Plot. I've included it as a separate document lecture so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

Flashback is an useful way to reveal important information about things that have happened before your story begins. It's also a great way to develop character motivation.

In this video you'll learn the best way to approach flashback when writing short stories. You can read flashback in action in a downloadable short story called 'Gently Does It'. You can also download a commented version of the story, which includes insights, notes and observations on how flashback has been used throughout the story.

This is the Story 'Gently Does It' which was included as a download with Lecture 17 - Using Flashback. I've included it as a separate document so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

This is the Story 'Gently Does It' download with my comments as the author and which was included as a download with Lecture 17 - Using Flashback. I've included it as a separate document so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

Before you start to write, you should ask yourself: 'Whose story is it?' Who is your main character? In this lesson you'll learn how to do this and discover how to write in both the first and third person viewpoints.

Traditionally, short stories are written in the past tense, but in recent years there has been a growing trend towards writing in the present tense. This video explains the differences between the two and explores some of the pros and cons of using the different tenses.

Conflict is the essential ingredient in any short story. It is the problem or barrier that is stopping your main character from achieving their goal. Does it have to be something dramatic or earth shattering? How else can you create conflict? Watch this video to find out.

In short fiction you don't have time to churn out long descriptive passages about your characters. This video talks about how to take a more subtle approach to characterisation to create fictional people your readers will empathise with.

There's also a downloadable PDF with this lesson on the best way to choose names for your characters.

This is the Naming Your Characters download included in the previous lecture. I've included it as a separate document lecture so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

In a short story, every word must count. Descriptions of your setting and your characters need to be an integral part of your story, rather than being written as heavy chunks of prose. This lesson looks at some of the ways you can describe the setting of your story and the people in it.

Making the five senses part of your descriptions is a great way to bring stories to life. This lecture includes a downloadable PDF handout that will show you how.

This is the Using The Five Senses handout which was included as a download with Lecture 25 - Settings and Description. I've included it as a separate document lecture here so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

This video looks at the three functions of dialogue in fiction and explores how to make the dialogue in your stories sound realistic. It also explains the best approach to introducing dialect or accents in your fiction.

Your resolution will depend on the kind of story you've written. This lesson considers some of the important factors to think about when bringing the strands of your story together at the end.

Included is another downloadable story which demonstrate how 'theme' can be woven into the structure of a story, particularly at the end.

This is the story 'The Big Freeze' which was included as a download with the last lecture. I've included it as a separate document lecture here so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

In this short lesson, I explain how The Big Freeze fits in with the plot diagram provided in Lecture 15.

Editing is a vital part of the writing process and can often take longer than writing the first draft. This lecture takes a look at some of the things you'll need to consider as you edit your work.

Also included is a short editing before-and-after exercise.

This is Editing Exercise Part A, which was included as a download with Lecture 30 - Kill Your Darlings. I've included it as a separate document here so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

This is Editing Exercise Part B, which was included as a download with Lecture 30 - Kill Your Darlings. I've included it as a separate document here so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

Here's another editing exercise to complete.

This exercise is written in the first person, present tense. As you edit this short piece, consider whether changing either of those aspects could improve the overall effect.

It's important that you proofread your work before sending it out to an editor. This video and the accompanying PDF download provide some useful tips on the best way to check your work.

This is the Proofreading Tips handout which was included as a download with Lecture 33. I've included it as a separate document here so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

Once you've written your first story and you've edited and proofread it thoroughly, you can submit it to the editor of your target magazine.

This video includes information about how to format your manuscript, the submission process, and what to expect once you've sent the story off.

Included are downloadable examples of manuscript layouts, cover sheets and a covering letter.

This is the Example Cover Sheet handout which was included as a download with Lecture 35. It's included here as a separate document so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

The title of the story will obviously have to be changed to your own title, and your own name will need to be included as the author. If you want to write under a pen name, see the next DOWNLOAD example for further details.

This is the Example Cover Sheet handout for anyone wanting to write under a pen name. The handout was included as a download with Lecture 35. It's included here as a separate document so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

You will obviously need to change the title to the title of your own story and add in your pen name and real name in the places indicated.

This is the Manuscript Example handout which was included as a download with Lecture 35. It's included here as a separate document so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

Obviously you will need to insert your own story title and name and then add in your story in the format show (listen to Lecture 35 for more details).

Here's an example of the first four pages of the manuscript submission for the short story The Big Freeze. This example shows how dialogue should be laid out within the document.

This is the Example Cover Letter to accompany your story. This handout was included as a download with Lecture 35. It's included here as a separate document so that it can be easily viewed by students who are accessing the course using a mobile app.

A covering letter isn't essential, but I personally think it's a good idea and will help you make contact with magazine editors. Listen to Lecture 35 for further information.

As a writer, you'll have to get used to rejection. Not all the stories you send off will be accepted, but you can often learn a lot from those that don't make it. This video will prepare you for the prospect of having your work rejected and encourage you to keep trying until you succeed.

This video looks at some of the best ways to overcome writer's block and get your writing moving again.

This final wrap-up video emphasises the importance of writing regularly.