3 Short Story Writer Interview Questions and Answers

Introduction

This question is important because it assesses your ability to draw from personal experiences to create relatable and authentic narratives, a key skill for a short story writer.

How to answer

• Choose a specific personal experience that had a significant emotional impact on you.
• Explain how this experience influenced the themes, characters, or setting of your story.
• Discuss the writing process, including any challenges you faced in translating the experience into fiction.
• Highlight any feedback you received that validated your storytelling choices.
• Conclude with what you learned from this experience as a writer.

What not to say

• Choosing an overly generic or uninteresting experience.
• Failing to connect the personal experience to the themes of the story.
• Neglecting to mention the writing process or challenges.
• Avoiding discussion on the impact of the story on readers.

Example answer

“One story I wrote, titled 'The Last Train Home,' was inspired by my experience of losing a close friend. I used the setting of a train station to symbolize the transient nature of life. Writing about this loss was challenging, as I wanted to honor my friend while crafting a narrative that resonated with readers. Feedback from a writing group helped me refine the emotional depth, and the story was later published in a local anthology, which taught me the importance of vulnerability in writing.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your understanding of character creation, which is essential for compelling storytelling in short fiction.

How to answer

• Describe your process for creating characters, including any tools or methods you use.
• Explain how you ensure characters are relatable and multidimensional.
• Discuss the importance of character arcs and how they evolve throughout your stories.
• Share an example of a character you developed and the impact they had on your narrative.
• Mention how feedback from readers or editors has influenced your character development.

What not to say

• Offering vague or superficial descriptions of characters.
• Ignoring the role of character arcs in the narrative.
• Failing to demonstrate how you make characters relatable.
• Neglecting to mention the revision process or feedback received.

Example answer

“In my stories, I start by defining a character's core motivation and background. For instance, in 'Echoes of the Past,' I created a protagonist haunted by childhood trauma. I used character sketches to flesh out their personality traits and flaws. I ensure they undergo significant growth by the end of the story. Reader feedback helped me refine their emotional journey, making the character's struggles and triumphs resonate more deeply with the audience.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your ability to draw from personal experiences, a crucial skill for crafting authentic and relatable narratives.

How to answer

• Select a specific personal experience that had a profound impact on you
• Describe how you transformed that experience into a story
• Highlight the themes and emotions that emerged from your writing
• Discuss the reception of the story, if applicable, and what you learned from the process
• Explain how this experience shapes your writing style or approach

What not to say

• Choosing an experience that is too vague or not personal enough
• Failing to connect the personal experience to the story's themes
• Ignoring the revisions process or feedback received
• Not demonstrating how this experience affects your writing development

Example answer

“I once wrote a short story titled 'The Last Call,' inspired by losing my grandmother. I captured the bittersweet essence of memory and loss through the protagonist's reflections on their childhood. The story resonated with readers, and the feedback taught me the power of vulnerability in writing. It reinforced my belief in writing from a place of personal truth, which I continue to embrace in my work.”

Introduction

This question assesses your understanding of character creation, a vital element of engaging storytelling.

How to answer

• Discuss your process for developing characters, including research and inspiration sources
• Explain how you ensure that characters are relatable and multidimensional
• Share specific techniques you use, such as character sketches or backstories
• Describe how character development impacts the narrative arc of your stories
• Provide examples from your previous works to illustrate your approach

What not to say

• Claiming character development is not important to your stories
• Providing overly simplistic character descriptions without depth
• Neglecting to mention the role of characters in driving the plot
• Failing to connect character development to the reader's engagement

Example answer

“In my short stories, I start with a character sketch that includes their backstory, motivations, and flaws. For instance, in my story 'Echoes of Silence,' I developed the protagonist, a reclusive artist, by exploring her past trauma and how it influences her present. This depth allowed readers to connect with her journey, making her struggles and triumphs more impactful. I believe that well-rounded characters are essential for a compelling narrative.”

Introduction

This question assesses your ability to adapt and refine your writing, which is crucial for a lead short story writer. The evolution of a story showcases your creativity and commitment to quality.

How to answer

• Select a specific story and outline its initial concept and direction.
• Discuss the feedback received and how it influenced changes.
• Explain the revisions made and the reasons behind them.
• Highlight what you learned from the process and how it improved the final piece.
• Emphasize the importance of feedback and willingness to adapt your work.

What not to say

• Choosing a story that has not undergone any significant changes.
• Failing to mention the role of feedback in the writing process.
• Being defensive about initial drafts instead of showing growth.
• Neglecting to discuss specific improvements or outcomes from revisions.

Example answer

“In a story I wrote titled 'Whispers of the Lost', the initial draft featured a straightforward plot. However, after receiving feedback from my writing group, I realized the protagonist lacked depth. I revised the character's backstory and motivations, which added layers to the narrative. The final version not only resonated more with readers but also won a local literary award. This experience taught me the value of constructive criticism and the importance of character development.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your character development skills, which are essential for engaging storytelling. Strong characters are key to connecting with readers and driving narratives.

How to answer

• Describe your process for brainstorming and conceptualizing characters.
• Mention any tools or methods you use to flesh out character traits and motivations.
• Discuss how you ensure diversity and relatability in your characters.
• Provide examples of memorable characters you've created and their impact on your stories.
• Explain how you balance character development with plot progression.

What not to say

• Claiming that character development is not a priority in your writing.
• Providing vague descriptions of characters without depth.
• Ignoring the importance of character arcs and transformations.
• Failing to acknowledge the role of research in creating authentic characters.

Example answer

“When developing characters, I start with a detailed character profile, including their background, desires, and fears. For instance, in my story 'Echoes of Yesterday,' I created a character based on various real-life interviews to ensure authenticity. This character's journey of self-discovery was pivotal, as readers connected deeply with his struggles. I believe that well-rounded characters enhance the emotional impact of the story and keep readers engaged.”