Elliot M.
Short fiction editor
Elliot M. edits short fiction and reads a stack of first drafts every week, most of them stuck in the same three places.
These articles are about structure: where a story should open, where it turns and what a second chapter owes the reader.
Articles by Elliot
What adult fiction asks of a writer, beyond the heat
An adult fiction writing guide from an editor: stakes, interiority, consent as character, a steady tone and revision, with before and after fixes for each.
5 min read
How to structure a short story of 1,500 to 5,000 words
How to structure a short story of 1,500 to 5,000 words: four shapes that work, where to start, where the turn goes, how to end, and a worked scene outline.
6 min read
Story prompts for couples who want to write, or read, side by side
Thirty story prompts for couples to write or read together, grouped by mood, with five ways to take turns and the ground rules that keep it fun for both.
5 min read
Writing a second chapter: why it sags and how to fix yours
Writing a second chapter that keeps the pull of the first: why chapter two sags, what it must do, which threads to pick up, and a checklist for revision.
5 min read
AI story generators for adults: seven tools, checked against their own pages
AI story generators for adults compared: NovelAI, Sudowrite, NovelCrafter, AI Dungeon, Perchance, KoboldCpp and Venice, with prices and content rules as listed.
7 min read