First of all, an urge will come over me to write a story in a certain genre or with a certain subject matter. Then I let my imagination go and see if I can come up with a story that is not a repeat of any story I've written or that I've read. I work out a general outline in my head. Then I visualize and audiolize each scene in my head before I write it. That means that I actually picture the scene in my mind and say the words audibly before I write. Only then will I begin writing. I try to include only enough description and dialogue to enable the reader to visualize and “hear” the story. I try to be as realistic as possible, avoiding cliches and over-used phrases and words. I strive for variety in both the characters and the story. I try to make each character distinct and different than any other character. I try to follow the classical format of an introduction and/or beginning, a middle and/or body, and an ending and/or conclusion. I always try to have a resolution in the story. I also try to leave as much as I can to the reader's imagination, and to avoid over-description. I attempt to stay away from exaggeration and incongruity. All my characters and the story itself are grounded in concrete reality—unless I am writing a supernatural, sci-fi or fantasy story. I revise each story I write four or five times before I submit it. I am always on the lookout for grammatical mistakes and run-on sentences. I'll let the story set for a few days, or weeks, or even months, and then I'll read it objectively—putting myself in the reader's place. Lastly, I will submit the story to publications that only pay a goodly sum for publication of stories. And that's it. That's how I write a story.
