Trying to write a short story

 
​I have a lot of difficulty writing short stories. 

Have I written a short story?

I have started a few, but stopped after 10,000 words. I wrote a Rapunzel retelling, a story about a young girl who is cursed, and a romance story set in a small town. These stories were written when I was in high school. I attempted more short stories back then. That way, I could finish with one idea and move on to the next. I plan on going back to finish them. 

Why is it so difficult?

There is always more to add onto the plot. I also love to come up with subplots. I have this desire to create a whole backstory for my characters that tie into the plot. Next thing I know, there are way too many characters, and a lack of consistency. Honestly, I have too much to say and my imagination is expansive.

I also drag it out. It shouldn't take ten chapters for the reader to understand what the objective is. When I write, I don't want to stop. Spending time with my characters and their story is special to me. Finishing a story means I can't create anymore, so I drag it out. It's not the same during editing. However, this past summer I came up with an idea for a short story and I think I can keep it short.

​Here's a working summary:

Two sets of siblings play hide and seek in their neighborhood woods as they usually do. One day they find a secret. The lost ruins of Zakia. They begin to dig deeper into the mystery and disappearance of this ancient kingdom, which no one in their town seems to know about. The young teens and preteens spend their summer days in the library reading maps, old journals, and searching for the entrance to Zakia. They try to find any descendants left. That's when they discover, someone in their group is a Zakian. That person holds the key to uncovering the spell hiding the kingdom, and undoing all the wrong that was done to the people. That person will unlock Zakia and set her free.

I don't dive into fantasy, just isn't my thing. However, this idea came to me while I was at work. I started writing it on sticky notes and decided to turn it into a short story. A challenge. I can't wait.

*Picture by Reuben Juarez on Unsplash.com