{"id":4705,"date":"2024-06-21T14:21:34","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T13:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/?p=4705"},"modified":"2024-06-27T13:36:27","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T12:36:27","slug":"how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write a Short Story Using the ABDCE Structure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ABDCE structure is a great way to outline a short story. It stands for Action, Background, Development, Climax, and Ending. By following this simple formula, you can ensure that your story has a strong beginning, middle, and end that keeps your readers hooked from the first to the last page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ABDCE structure was first documented in Anne Lamott\u2019s Bird by Bird, in which she recounts a conversation with her friend, short story writer and novelist, Alice Adams. Adams developed this five-act structure to give her stories momentum and simplify the act of outlining, but it can be used at a chapter or scene-by-scene level as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The first step in using this formula is choosing an opening image or idea that will grab the reader\u2019s attention immediately. The inciting incident will set the stage for what comes next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You want readers to feel instantly invested in your story and be desperate to read more. Starting things off with an action beat sets your story up with a sense of movement. Action is what draws the reader in. In this formula, that action is something physical that involves a character doing something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This idea isn\u2019t unique to this structure; an inciting incident is a staple part of starting any narrative. You may even have heard the phrase <em>in medias res<\/em> (a Latin phrase that translates to \u201cin the middle of things\u201d), which starts the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/tag\/plotting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">plot<\/a> in the middle to create an action beat followed by flashbacks. The action of the ABDCE structure, however, can be chronological.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can choose any action point you want to kick off your story. The scene can be as short or as long as you need it to be to best serve your narrative. However, the main element of this formula is that the event sets your plot in motion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The background element of the ABDCE structure provides readers with essential context for your story. It provides vital information that will inform how readers will understand your characters\u2019 actions as they progress through the story and give a sense of time and place. It\u2019s where you can <a href=\"https:\/\/novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-to-craft-the-perfect-story-setting-with-downloadable-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">build out your setting<\/a> and get a feel for where the characters are (both physically and emotionally) before the story gains momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can think of this section as the \u201cbefore\u201d to the action\u2019s \u201cafter.\u201d It\u2019s the calm before the storm, so to speak \u2014 a brief respite after an <a href=\"https:\/\/novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/avoid-these-8-mistakes-for-a-perfect-ending-to-your-novel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">exciting beginning<\/a> to set up what comes next and contrast with the action that follows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A great way to introduce your story\u2019s background is through exposition. This can be done through a character\u2019s inner thoughts, a story told through an omniscient <a href=\"https:\/\/novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/6-techniques-to-help-you-find-your-writers-voice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">authorial voice<\/a>, or through <a href=\"https:\/\/novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/5-editing-tips-to-revise-and-strengthen-your-dialogue\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dialogue<\/a> between characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it\u2019s important not to get bogged down in too much detail here; you want to provide enough information to orient your reader without slowing down the story\u2019s momentum. There is nothing more essential to a short story than pacing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"635\" data-src=\"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/s-o-c-i-a-l-c-u-t-FluPNkHfCTs-unsplash-1024x635.jpg\" alt=\"We are all made of stories - the abdce structure - Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash\" class=\"wp-image-4708 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/s-o-c-i-a-l-c-u-t-FluPNkHfCTs-unsplash-1024x635.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/s-o-c-i-a-l-c-u-t-FluPNkHfCTs-unsplash-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/s-o-c-i-a-l-c-u-t-FluPNkHfCTs-unsplash-768x476.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/s-o-c-i-a-l-c-u-t-FluPNkHfCTs-unsplash-1536x953.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/s-o-c-i-a-l-c-u-t-FluPNkHfCTs-unsplash-800x496.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/s-o-c-i-a-l-c-u-t-FluPNkHfCTs-unsplash.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/635;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The development section is where your story really starts to take shape. Here, you begin to see the consequences of your opening action play out and how your characters react to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The majority of your story will be development. It\u2019s where you introduce stakes and <a href=\"https:\/\/novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/using-conflict-to-move-your-story-forward\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">conflict<\/a> and have your characters attempt to reach their goal. As you progress the plot, throw obstacles in the way of your characters achieving their goals, giving them a chance to overcome and lead seamlessly into the climax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anticipating your readers\u2019 expectations is key here; you want to give them what they want, but not in the way they expect. A short story is always most memorable if you play with reader expectations and twist your story in an unexpected way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Short stories are all about engagement and tension. You can\u2019t rely on deep <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/tag\/world-building\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">world-building<\/a> or strong <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/tag\/writing-characters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">character development<\/a> due to the length. This is why playing with form, function, and defining a solid throughline is an essential part of any short story writer\u2019s arsenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Climax<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The climax is the apex of your story. It\u2019s where your rising action peaks and where the critical narrative twist of your story occurs. After this moment, something will be different for your characters and either something physical or how they view themselves or the world around them will change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the moment where everything your readers have been waiting for comes to fruition. It\u2019s the payoff for all the tension and engagement you\u2019ve been building up to this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The climax should be a turning point for your story and your readers. It should be the moment that changes everything and throws the story&#8217;s events into a new light. Keep in mind, however, not to make the climax too convoluted; in the context of a short story, brevity is everything. Keep your writing sharp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ending<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is your chance to leave an impression. The story is winding up, and your characters will have learned something or be changed because of what they\u2019ve endured over the course of the narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The key to a great short story ending is not overstaying your welcome. Once you have reached your story&#8217;s climax, you want to wrap things up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve left a lingering question by the end of the climax, the ending is where you tie the narrative together and provide clarity. If you\u2019ve made a structural choice in your story, like a flashback or a leap of time, the ending is where all that confusion gets cleared up, and the narrative linearity is returned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You want your readers to feel at the end of your story. They either need to feel a sense of clarity or have an emotional response to how things end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-src=\"http:\/\/wp.novlr.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ABDCE-Forumula-1-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"ABDCE story structure\" class=\"wp-image-6901 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ABDCE-Forumula-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ABDCE-Forumula-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ABDCE-Forumula-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ABDCE-Forumula-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ABDCE-Forumula-1-440x440.png 440w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ABDCE-Forumula-1-21x21.png 21w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ABDCE-Forumula-1-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ABDCE-Forumula-1-48x48.png 48w, https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/ABDCE-Forumula-1.png 1080w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/1024;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ABDCE structure is a great way to organize your thoughts and create a framework for your story. It\u2019s a simple, straightforward way to ensure that your story has a clear arc and that all the elements are in place. But, while it is an excellent guide, you must remember there is no one way to write a short story. The most important thing is to find what works for you and what helps you tell the story you want to tell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The ABDCE structure is a great way to outline a short story. It stands for Action, Background, Development, Climax, and Ending. By following this simple formula, you can ensure that your story has a strong beginning, middle, and end that keeps your readers hooked from the first to the last page. The ABDCE structure was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":6900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1280","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[58,28],"class_list":["post-4705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-writing-tips","tag-plotting","tag-writing-tips","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Write a Short Story Using the ABDCE Structure | The Novlr Reading Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The ABDCE structure is a great way to outline a short story. 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It stands for Action, Background, Development, Climax, and Ending.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Novlr Reading Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/novlr\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-06-21T13:21:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-06-27T12:36:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.novlr.org\/the-reading-room\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Frame-125.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1260\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Pamela Koehne-Drube\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@novlrtweets\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@novlrtweets\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Pamela Koehne-Drube\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Pamela Koehne-Drube\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/726ed0ac79316fa69373ac67027dd121\"},\"headline\":\"How to Write a Short Story Using the ABDCE Structure\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-21T13:21:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-06-27T12:36:27+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1063,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Frame-125.png\",\"keywords\":[\"plotting\",\"writing tips\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Writing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\\\/\",\"name\":\"How to Write a Short Story Using the ABDCE Structure | The Novlr Reading Room\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/how-to-write-a-short-story-using-the-abdce-structure\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.novlr.org\\\/the-reading-room\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/11\\\/Frame-125.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-21T13:21:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-06-27T12:36:27+00:00\",\"description\":\"The ABDCE structure is a great way to outline a short story. 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