When writing a short story, how much of the Novel Matrix method should I apply? Should I have those 7 characters, 5 conflicts, 3 act structure, etc…?
Super good question. We have a whole class on this question for our apprentices here at The Company, but this is the short version:
Use a simplified method. Some of the constructs apply, but you can’t fit all of that into a short story.
Rather than three acts, develop one act (which may look like one of the three acts or something different). Rather than five conflicts, focus only on the three conflicts of the Little World. For your characters, use what you need, but consider the archetypes in the way you develop them.
So a lot of the Novel Matrix paradigm will apply, but you won’t be able to fit all of the elements into something so short. 🙂
