How to Write the Perfect Short Story

By Patrick Quinlan

What do I mean by "the perfect short story?"

To me, the perfect short story is a story that you write, that editors want to publish, and that readers will enjoy. If you’re lucky, it might even make you some money.

Over time, if you write a bunch of perfect short stories, readers might start to remember your name. These are beautiful things.

Sound good to you? Download this ebook and discover a reliable way to write the perfect short story, and do it consistently.

• Language: English
• Publisher: StrawberryBooks
• Release date: Nov 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463084991

Patrick Quinlan

Patrick Quinlan is the author of at least 30 books and ebooks, written under his own name, and three pen names. One of his pen names is the author of more than a dozen popular military/political thrillers, including a USA Today Bestseller.Books written under Patrick's own name include the crime novels Smoked, The Takedown (renamed The Falling Man for ebook publication), The Drop Off, and The Hit. Smoked made numerous bestseller lists in various parts of the world and was translated into four languages.His thrillers also include the two books of the Demons Among Us horror series, The Girl Inside the Wall and The Demon. He is also the author the cyberpunk sci-fi novel Sexbot.Patrick is the co-author, with legendary film actor Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner, Nighthawks, The Hitcher), of Rutger's memoir, All Those Moments. Available in English and Dutch, All Those Moments was a Los Angeles Times bestseller. Patrick is also the co-author, with Elena Nikitina, of Elena's memoir of the First Russian-Chechen War, Girl Taken.Patrick has been featured or reviewed in major media throughout the world, including the Boston Globe, the New York Times, the London Times, the Daily Mail, Entertainment Weekly, Maine Public Radio, BBC Radio News, and many others.He divides his time between Maine and Florida.

Book preview

How to Write the Perfect Short Story

Patrick Quinlan

Copyright © 2018 by Patrick Quinlan

All rights reserved.

www.howtowriteathriller.com

Praise for Patrick Quinlan’s novels:

Tarantino-esque first novel about the past catching up with an ex-criminal turned children’s toymaker, and by extension with his young girlfriend Lola. Lots of villains and violent deaths plus likeable characters and some quirky humour. The first chapter – in which Lola busts her way out of a thoroughly nasty rape scenario with karate-kicking panache – would hook anyone.

-- The Bookseller (UK)

Graphic action and exhilarating chases ensue as Quinlan's characters play cat-and-mouse through Portland,...makes one hope that Smoke hasn't quit the life entirely. Lola is a fierce delight. -- Publishers Weekly

A fast and furious debut thriller notable for a vintage collection of really rotten bad guys. Characters to care about, even the no-goods. Readers may be bearing early witness to the arrival of a major talent. -- Kirkus Reviews

SMOKED should absorb any fan of Bruckheimer blockbusters and everything else that goes boom. -- Entertainment Weekly

A fast-paced thriller...the story moves at warp speed, capped by a cinematic chase...before ending in spectacular fashion. -- Los Angeles Times

Watch out for [SMOKED]. A superb debut. A great crime novel. Brilliant is the word.

-- The Independent on Sunday (UK)

This first novel is wonderful! What makes [SMOKED] so wonderful is an author who can write great prose, great set-ups, great dialogue, and create characters that jump off the page. Can’t recommend this enough for those of you who like your thrillers on the very dark side.

-- Bookaholic

[A] breathless sequence of abduction, car chases and con jobs. Just what the doctor ordered for a Hollywood flick. -- The Calcutta Telegraph (India)

[A] strong cross between Elmore Leonard and Quentin Tarantino doing Elmore Leonard. The result is tightly plotted, confidently written and very hip. -- The Sunday Observer (UK)

Quinlan's prose is as smooth as his character's dialogue and when the action hots up, its hard not to find yourself grinning with pure joy. Quinlan… does it with an infectious enthusiasm and a confidence that makes SMOKED a pleasure to read. -- Crime Scene Scotland

"One hell of an exhilarating ride. Certainly one of the better thrillers I’ve read this year." -- Shotsmag (UK)

Cue kidnappings, explosions, beatings, murders and car chases aplenty. Pacey, punchy and raw, this is one self-assured debut. - In the Air – inflight magazine of Qantas Airlines (Australia)

[A] thrilling ride that will keep you hanging on the edge of your seat. It will make you curse the fact that you need sleep. -- Bullz-Eye.com

The story combines vicious villainy with threadbare morality to produce a bang that movie producers and script-writers would be sorry to miss. Once you've picked it up, it's hard to put it down. -- Channel NewsAsia (Singapore)

THIS is the stuff – violent, pacy, stylish and funny.

-- The Daily Mirror

Here is my promise to you…

Get HOW TO WRITE A THRILLER, and you will:

- Learn to write a page-turning thriller like the pros do.

- Save yourself years of trial and error.

- Write with confidence, because you know exactly what you’re doing.

All for less than $10.

Sound good? Then let’s get to work. To learn more, go to the section called How to Write a Thriller, at the back of this book.

Or, if you know you’re ready to make your thriller writing dreams come true, go straight to this website:

www.howtowriteathriller.com

Table of Contents

Introduction: Who am I?

What is the Perfect Short Story?

The Most

Reviews for How to Write the Perfect Short Story

[JDC · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thank you for sharing. I've wanted to write for many years.. I write for myself. But now I can see my confidence rising to write for the world to read it.