I am Professor Write-A-Lot and I now possess this corner of The VERB because I know everything about writing. See, I have a stick. Only those who know everything about writing are allowed a stick.

Do come in. Please ignore the scattered manuscripts, step over the stacked books and avoid the dog's bone. You have a question, do you? Very well. Ask away, and I shall share my brilliance!

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
Where would I find a list of publishers that are interested in short stories? How long should these stories be?

The best place to begin your quest is Duotrope, a database of over 2000 markets. You may scour by genre, length, pay . . . whatever your creative mind desires. Scrutinize attractive markets to ensure they indeed publish that which you write. Of course this endeavor will steal precious time from your work, but it will save you much heartache in the end.

Word length is a slippery slope that has been known to break the legs of more than one imagination. My advice to you is to construct your story, sans all thought of word count, to its logical conclusion. Edit until you've turned a whiter shade of pale. Then note your final word count, go forth and seek those who publish stories of such length.

If, however, you aspire to appear in particular periodicals, turn this approach around. Seek publishers first, note the word count they request, go forth and construct stories that fit within their guidelines.

Entirely up to you, great storyteller.

There is also the matter of writing contests, most of which fancy the short story. Winning lifts the spirit, yes, but submitting builds character.

Herewith, contest listings for your perusal:
ReadingWriters Contest Cafe
Online Contest Index
Writing Corner 
 

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
How many pages should be in a chapter?

No set number. Focus on the point of the chapter and bring it to fruition. At times, this may require three pages; at other times, this may require thirty-three. It is worthwhile to note that today's busy readers prefer frequent breaks. Seek to accommodate.

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
When my writing group points out my POV leaps, I see them. But when I'm at home alone, writing, I don't. Is there some rule to doing this properly? I don't think I'm ever going to figure it out.

There, there. Don't become discombobulated. All beginning writers struggle with POV leaps. And now that you've inquired, I am obliged to pass along the storyteller's secret equation: First Draft = First Person. The use of "I" forces one into the shoes of the character. Suddenly the act of expressing others' thoughts or seeing things beyond one's vision becomes an impossibility. As it is in the real world. Of course in a later draft, one might revert to Third Person, but the steady perspective remains. Try it.

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
If it isn't good to introduce the character's history in the first chapter, when should you do it?

How about never? Background is not a requisite in the world of storytelling. With a pinch of finesse, one might show the effects of a past without ever traveling back to it. Know thy character.   

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
I still get confused with periods and commas at the end of dialogue. How can I keep them straight?

The confusion stems from the misconception that a complete sentence consistently resides within the quotation marks. This is correct only if one works without attributions: "Tammy is late for the show." If, however, one includes an attribution, it merges with the sentence and extends it beyond the quotation marks: "Tammy is late for the show," said Marie. The period, symbol of a full stop, appears only at the end of a sentence. To place it anywhere else would be similar to slamming on one's brakes in the midst of a car race.

Dear Professor Write-A-Lot,
I like to write my stories in short sentences. Anything wrong with that?

In general, no. It's the preferred style of many, from Hemingway to Elmore Leonard. But one must be mindful of the overall rhythm. An abundance of staccato notes might induce a pounding headache. Read your work aloud.

Ask Professor Write-A-Lot!