This handbook demystifies the craft of writing. In a succinct 60 pages, Jennifer Gessner offers clear, practical strategies that will help aspiring and seasoned writers to unlock their creative potential, turning imaginings into masterpieces . Gessner’s vast experience as both a college writing teacher and a top editor at a major publisher qualifies her to help translate an author’s vision into a finished, audience-worthy product. The Elements of Short Fiction really works! Don’t let its compact size and no-nonsense approach deceive you — every page is packed with ideas and exercises guaranteed to get you writing! "An invaluable guide to creating vivid places, compelling characters, and absorbing stories with style. Gessner distills the components of fiction into ten digestible elements, teaching each aspect of story-writing with useful exercises and advice on craft." ~ Rick Van Noy, author of Borne by the River: Canoeing the Delaware from Headwaters to Home, among others; professor of English, Radford University "It is no surprise that after decades of teaching creative writing, Gessner has pulled off a triumphant feat by condensing the elements of short fiction into a highly readable, fun ride that will give you the skills and confidence to write your story." ~ Amy Baldwin, author, professor, and researcher at UCA "You know how most how-to books could be condensed to a third of their length? In The Elements of Short Fiction: A Practical Guide for Writers , Jennifer Gessner has done just that. In engaging, pragmatic language, Gessner reassures readers—and teachers—that anyone can learn the craft of writing . 'If your muse is not waiting for you, craft will always be there.' Peppered with personal anecdotes and annotated examples, this gem of a writer's guide earns its place on the bookshelf next to Bird by Bird and The Elements of Style ." ~ Daphne Uviller, author of This Was Not the Plan and Super in the City "I've been using the 'Gessner Method' in my classes for the past 14 years, and I can confidently say—it works. For writers just starting out, these ten elements offer both guidance and a gentle push to focus on language and craft. At the same time, they serve as a valuable reminder for more experienced writers to return to the core principles of strong storytelling. If you are a writer or a teacher of writing, you will find these elements useful." ~ Jeffrey Becker, author and professor of Creative Writing For many years, I both taught Creative Writing at a local college and was a Development Editor for a major publisher. It was a perfect marriage as each job helped to inform and improve my work at the other.  Whenever I received the inevitable, "What do you do for work?" question, it seemed to depend on my mood whether I said "Teacher of English" or "Book Editor." While my response was arbitrary, it yielded 12 years of anecdotal research that indicates something quite pointed. Whenever I said "teacher," about seven out of 10 folks would say something like, "Oh, I was never that good at writing." And if I said that I'm a book editor, about 9.5 out of 10 people would say, "I have this idea for a book!" This informal but poignant tally confirms what I've always known. That we all have a story to tell and many of us (most even!) yearn to write it down.  After many blissful years working both jobs simultaneously, I was promoted at my publisher and had to resign from teaching. It was a bittersweet day. To mitigate the loss, my Department Chair asked if I would allow some faculty to shadow me and if I would share my lecture notes so "the Gessner method" wouldn't leave with me. "The Gessner method?" I asked. What's that?"  "Oh, that's what we call the way you teach," he explained.  What a compliment!  Instead of handing over my notes, I thought I'd write this book so the 95% of you who wish to get your story down can learn how to do so in a simplified, practical way. This handbook demystifies the craft of writing. In a succinct 60 pages, Jennifer Gessner offers clear, practical strategies that will help aspiring and seasoned writers to unlock their creative potential, turning imaginings into masterpieces . Gessner's vast experience as both a college writing teacher and a top editor at a major publisher qualifies her to help translate an author's vision into a finished, audience-worthy product. The Elements of Short Fiction really works! Don't let its compact size and no-nonsense approach deceive you — every page is packed with ideas and exercises guaranteed to get you writing! Jenny has decades of experience as a writing professor and a development editor for a major publisher. She believes everyone has a story (or many!) to tell and she specializes in helping people learn to write their stories and shape them into their own masterpieces. Jenny believes writing is a skill that can be learned through practice - just like playing an instrument or a sport. She also acknowledges t