1. Log in to post.
2. Click on the Submit button on the top right.
3. Complete the form.
- It is very important that you add your name to the title bar. This way your name will be included in the URL.
- Choose only 1 category and only the one for that month’s specific prompt.
4. An image is optional.
5. Copy/paste your story or poem in the block.
7. (To insert a link: please insert the link in your original Word Doc.)
6. Submit the story or poem.
8. The story or poem needs to be approved by an admin.
9. Comment on FOUR other stories or poems. Type your comment in the block below.
10. Remember some competitions do not accept stories or poems that have been published in any form. Double-check before you post it on 12 Short Stories.
11. The copyright remains with you and you post here at your own risk.
12. You may publish your story or poem elsewhere after you have posted it here.
13. If you wish to use a comment made by a member of this group, be sure to ask for permission from whoever who made the comment. Even if it is about your own story or poem.
14. No Hate speak. You will be banned.
15. This is not a competition (that comes later), but an opportunity to learn and challenge yourself. I want you to have fun with your writing. I want you to take risks and I want you to write stuff you never thought you would. I want you to learn and grow. I want you to write 12 short stories in 12 months or 12 poems in 12 months! #12/12
16. Try to get your word count to be as exact as possible. It is part of the discipline and will force you to re-evaluate every word. I promise this will make you a better writer. WordPress and other software packages ‘count’ the words differently. Choose a program and use that as your final count. I am not going to police it, but I will not approve posts that are way over or way under. This is not applicable to poems. Please follow the instructions on the poetry prompt.
17. New stories and poems only.
18. Please consider the following when you evaluate a short story:
Break your story into three parts:
- Beginning: Shows the Intent – How does the story start? What is the central event?
- Middle: Growth/Conflict – What is the subtext? What events happened in the past/backstory? Does it influence the central event?
- End: Resolution/Surprise – What kind of ending does the story have?
Identify the following five elements in your story:
- Plot: Describe the plot in a few lines.
- Character: Identify the main characters.
- Goal and Conflict: What is the main character’s goal and what is the conflict that hinders that goal?
- Theme: Write down the theme. This should be a full sentence. What is the big idea or message? This could be a revelation or an opinion.
- Setting: Where and when does, the story take place? Does it influence the story?
Give your opinion:
- Author’s style.
- Tone of the story.
- Use of the senses.
- Do you like the story?
- Is it coherent?
Please remember to be kind and constructive. Tone is important. Make sure to limit your comments to the writing only. Do not attack an author personally.