Q&A for How to Write a One Shot

You will need to brainstorm some ideas. Write 20 different nouns or adjectives on slips of paper, and put them into a box. Pick out 5 slips of paper, and read the words written on them. Write a story based on (or including) those 5 words.

A one shot can be written in any person: first, second, or third. Write whatever comes easiest for you.

Think of a funny event that happened to you or to someone else. Then draft an outline containing an introduction, a climax, and an end. While you write, be sure to elaborate on the details or even add fictional elements to the story. Refer to other published books and movies as reference or inspiration.

It can have whatever ending you want it to be - dark, happy, etc. It doesn't matter, It's your one shot anyway.

Plan it before writing. For instance, if you're writing about, say, a first kiss, just jot down roughly what happens before, after, and the basic details of the kiss. Don't bother on explaining too much, because most of the time that's the culprit of your story going out of topic. Stay to the topic.

It can be about one day, one minute, one year, one life, it's totally up to you.

It can have as many words as you like, but between 1500 and 3000 words is common.

Think of a very short plot, like one or two scenes at most. There shouldn't be any major conflict, just something small that can easily be overcome. Write a paragraph summarizing the plot so you know exactly what you're doing, then write the one-shot using the paragraph as your model.

The cover of the book can look however you want it to. For the description, just make sure it sums up the story without giving anything away.

Try listening to some music. Take a break for a few minutes and get some exercise. Take a jog around the house. Do anything to get your mind off of it, then revisit the work later.

Most one shots are around 25 pages long. One-shots typically tell a short story in 15-60 pages.