Some writers like to plan and there's an element of planning in every short story. A rapidly produced free flowing first draft will have planning imposed on it when it's structured in redrafting. Some people like to create that planned structure in advance, and I've tried that approach too. This article explains what I do when I decide to plan a story in advance. It's less spontaneous so sometimes it's less fun than seeing what your characters decide to do for themselves, but sometimes imposing those constraints gets them to act and react in a more convincing way giving a richer story.
On occasions I have written down a set of fairly structured notes from which I'll produce a first draft. The notes will contain a very short summary of the plot, perhaps ten or twenty lines. Then I'll have a list of characters complete with notes about their back story, important points about their personality, age, status, work, and other details I might use. Then a list of places or scenes or both. Sometimes I keep all the notes on paper, sometimes I use software though that can encourage constant tinkering.
I sometimes also decide how much text goes with each scene within a word limit. It the story is destined for entry to a competition, there will be word limits constraining what can be done. So limiting scenes is essential and it's sometimes easier to work within a word count from the outset. At least I know I'll produce something I can submit.
I then produce something similar to a story board with the scenes listed along with a brief description of what happens, picking out where the dialogue would help.
Of course, this is all very technical and sounds as dry as dust. Where is the inspiration, the surprise, the creativity? Where's the fun if you know all about your characters before you start writing? The truth is that you don't lose any of that with this approach. What in fact happens is that your writing is highly focussed to get the most out of your characters and their conflicts. By thinking about the characters and plot, you are already making decisions about the ordering, the timing, the reactions of your characters, and you are getting to know the story. You just don't yet have a first draft in front of you. When that draft comes, you'll still rewrite and restructure because that's what will be needed in any case.
Some writers feel that planning reduces some of the work of rewriting. I find it's just a different way of working and that the first draft still has unexpected reactions, incongruities, and things that need correcting. The draft produced is subtly different, but it can be just as satisfying as the mad dash approach. I've used both approaches and a mixture and both can be very enjoyable so you need to experiment. Neither guarantees success, but both teach you about the business of writing. Whichever route you take, it still seems to cover the same distance.
