Shelley Weiner, acclaimed novelist, writer, journalist and tutor on Faber Academy’s Five Day Short Story course among others, shares some advice for crafting a great short story.

What makes a perfect short story? How can one produce a piece of short fiction with precision and control – and a compelling narrative at its heart?

Here are five essential tips:

• Know every character in your story, everything about them. What does each one of them want? What will they do in order to get it?

• Be ruthless. Make something happen to your main character that will put him or her to the test. This will help your reader to care about the outcome, which is vital, even in the quietest and most reflective tale.

• Make your opening as close as possible to the ending. Constricting the time frame can strengthen your story.

• If you’re feeling inhibited (and we all know about the critical inner voice that undermines our creativity) perhaps try writing your story as though it’s addressed to a friend who shares your sensibilities – and your sense of humour. It’s a trick to set you free and might help with the flow.

• Remember that in a short story every word counts; every sentence should advance the narrative. Don’t waste a single comma or distract your reader’s attention with an ill-conceived metaphor or an irrelevant piece of purple prose.

Master the art of the short story in one intense week with The Five Day Short Story. This creative and inspiring examination of the art of the short story examines the form from a writer’s perspective. It is also a hands-on experience, turning theory into practical effect as each participant is nurtured and guided towards the completion of a story from beginning to end. Come away with new insights into the genre – and inclusion in our post-course anthology as a tangible record of your immersion.

If you’re looking for an immersive, intensive introduction to the craft of short-story writing, this one’s perfect for you. You’ll spend five days at Faber’s London offices with a group of fellow short-story writers, writing a new story from start to finish under the guidance of one of our most experienced tutors, Shelley Weiner.

Find our more about The Five Day Short Story here, and about all of our short story courses here.