Do short stories for writing contests have to have dialog?

Not necessarily. A short story can be successful without dialog if the narrative and descriptions are strong enough to convey the story effectively.

Definitely. There are various short story contests that welcome longer stories. For instance, many local or regional writing contests have flexible word limits. They aim to encourage a wide range of story - telling. A longer short story can often explore complex themes and character development more deeply. However, it's important to carefully read the contest rules to ensure your story meets their requirements, such as formatting, genre, and submission guidelines.

Not necessarily. Short stories can be just for entertainment or to explore different themes without explicitly having a moral.

Not necessarily. Some short stories can focus more on a concept or a mood without explicitly featuring characters.

Short stories don't always have to have dialogue. It all depends on the story's purpose and the author's style. Some authors prefer to focus on other elements like setting or character thoughts to tell the story.

Maybe it's because you haven't practiced enough or haven't found your unique style yet.

First, have a clear and engaging concept. Think of an interesting idea that can be developed within the short story format. For example, a unique character with a strange quirk or a situation that is both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. Second, focus on the language. Use vivid and precise words. Don't over - complicate but also avoid being too simplistic. Third, create a strong structure. Have a beginning that hooks the reader, a middle that builds tension or develops the plot, and an end that satisfies or surprises.

No. By definition, short stories are short. They are brief literary works that usually focus on a single incident, character, or theme. They are meant to be concise and to the point, unlike novels which are much longer.

No. Short stories can be non - fiction as well. There are many short non - fiction works that are based on real events, personal experiences or historical facts. For example, memoirs or journalistic short pieces are forms of non - fiction short stories.

Short stories typically do have pages. This is because they need a way to be organized and presented physically or digitally. The number of pages can vary widely depending on the length and formatting of the story.