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Fifty words are only a start

They are only a smaller part of the whole.

David Gane
David Gane

Fifty words are a paragraph, maybe 5-7 sentences.

It is a bit of description, a thought, or a beat of action or dialogue.

But they add up. String a few of those together, and they form something more significant—a scene or maybe the first primary story beat of a short story.

String those together, and they become the first act or the whole story.

A story works as a fractal, and the micro reflects the macro.

But if you are looking for a place to start, begin with fifty words and then build it out from there.

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David Gane

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Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

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