You are a budding,talented writer, and you've finally achieved your dream goal-you've just completed a short story.And because it seems so good,you're confident of having it published.

However,to your utter dismay,you find your work is rejected!You are incredulous and start wondering what went wrong.Perhaps you feel dejected and start cursing the editor for spoiling your 'good work'.But hang on!

Your work may have been good, but was it good *enough*? Because,even if you have a ripping good plot,you've got to make sure your writing comes alive and hooks the reader's attention right from the beginning!Here are a few tips that would hopefully help you do just that:

Your very first sentence must be dramatic,abrupt,exciting or unexpected,so it immediately grabs the attention of the reader. For example,in a story by Jacqueline Rowling,the reader's curiosity is piqued in the first line itself:

"Marigold started going wierd again on her birthday."

It's abrupt,simple and dramatic,and makes the reader go lame trying to get to the bottom of it. Use this same technique when ending a chapter.It'll help keep up the tension and compel the reader to turn the pages,eager to know more.

Eg.In Franklin W.Dixon's 'Hostages of Hate',(in the popular Hardy Boys series)the author ends Chapter 9,with the line:

'There was no time for thought as the truck jarred to a stop- and the roof of the tunnel thundered down on Frank!'

This powerful ending does indeed prompt the reader to turn to the next Chapter,eager to know what happens to Frank.

Write a ripping good dialogue!

Try to avoid meaningless or routine exchanges each time two characters meet.How exciting is it to read,"Hi Pete,how are you?" "Oh,I'm OK Gary.How are you?" Not only is this monotonous, it's also *boring*!Intersperse descriptive narration with your dialogue,to add more punch to your writing.

Eg. "Yeah,you're right,"agreed Saman,pausing to take some change out of his pocket.

Don't overuse direct address.A character needn't use the name of the other person each time he talks to him.It becomes totally annoying.

Eg."Hey Gary,how was your football match?" "We won Pete!" "Did you score any goals Gary?" "Just one,Pete."

See what I mean?!

Invent memorable characters

A book possesssing solid and memorable characters is often an integral part of its success.If your readers can relate to the characters you've created,either in their imaginations,or in their real life,then well done!Otherwise,you might find the following tips useful:

Take time to develop and spice up your characters.In other words,get under their skin! Do pay special attention to this part of your writing process,and try not to leave it until you're *absolutely* sure you've created great and memorable characters.However,don't waste time dawdling,(remember time is precious!)or you can tend to neglect other important aspects of your writing. Think about your character's behavior and mannerisms.Give them a sense of style;find a unique manner of speaking.Use emotion and body language to effectively convey what a character feels at particular times.

Show,don't tell

This is one area where most writers tend to go wrong.(It's happened to me too!)Editors often tend to judge a good story on the author's ability to weave his/her story by showing,rather than simply narrating everything that takes place,or putting everything in black and white.You see,readers are bound to enjoy your writing more if they can ponder and figure out for themselves,what you,the author,are trying to convey.

For instance,let's say that you wish to portray Jack Morton in your story,as a mean and nasty person.Instead of writing 'Jack Morton was a nasty old guy who was always snapping at every single person he met',you could try describing him in the following manner:

"Little Rosemary's ball bounced over the short boundary wall and into her neighbor's garden.Running over to the wall,she leaped up on a box and leaned over.Old Mr.Jack Morton was tending his garden."Please Mr.Morton,can I have my ball?" Her neighbor looked up,his wrinkled face wearing an ugly scowl."No you may not!"he roared."Clear off and leave me alone!" The little girl ran back,tears streaming down her face.

See what I mean? Not only does this make the story more enjoyable,it also allows the reader to form his/her own opinion about Jack Morton.

So the next time you're writing that short story,do keep these invaluable tips in mind!

Sarah Sheriff is a freelance writer from Colombo,Sri Lanka,and regularly contributes articles both fiction and non-fiction,to local and international magazines.She can be contacted at mailto:freelancepro@fadmail.com