8 Tips on How to Break a Story from Pitch
I'm on deadline for a short story for an anthology: "Double Trouble." My pitch has been accepted. I only have a few days to draft it. How do I break it into an actual story?
The calculus of most days is simple. The working writer’s life = deadlines. Every day, I have to evaluate what project needs work to meet my upcoming deadlines.
It’s like always having homework.
This week, I have a short story due on Saturday for an anthology—Double Trouble: An Anthology of Two-Fisted Team-Ups. Stellar author lineup. The anthology is already kickstarted and funded. Jonathan Maberry and Keith R. A. DeCandido are the editors. It includes stories from Nancy Holder, Delilah S. Dawson, Scott Siglar, and more.
I pitched my idea—it’s been accepted. The Kickstarter surpassed our original goal. Now how do I break my concept/pitch into a story? Why am I confident that I can nail this story in 2-3 days? Being able to pitch and break stories—and deliver on the promise—is one of the most important skill sets any author can cultivate.
I’ll give you some insight into how I approach this process. Side note, it’s also super fun for me. I love breaking and drafting new ideas. Keep reading for more!
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