Many are finding that online writing presents many opportunities, regardless of education or experience. There are sites that specialize in the news, social media media for branding, or blogging that can be done anytime throughout the day. Some of these mediums can also be profitable. This is also a place to submit short stories for publishing in various outlets.

The online opportunities sometimes outweigh the publishing houses that follow traditional methods. Locating these companies is fairly easy, as search engines will provide links to their sites. There are also books, periodicals and writing groups that can give further information.

After gathering a small number of prospects, it is wise to go over what is required, legal matters and compensation. One thing to consider is whether the writing niche is congruent with the current demand. By writing down a few plot ideas, followed by a summary draft, may work best. If a query letter is requested, having a general idea will also be helpful to the editor.

Often finding a productivity style can be a challenge for the new writer, as well as some who are established. Some wordsmiths jot down ideas as they come to mind while others desire structure by using an outline for each scene or chapter. Either way, or a combination of ways, may work for someone who is finding their writing voice at the same time.

The best stories for a new writer to come up with are those that have not been shared with the world. Some like to take a personal or real life event and convert into a short story that is believable. If that is the route chosen, then it may be beneficial to change supporting character names and use a fictional location.

Writers may choose a character that is completely made up and has a uniqueness that makes them stand apart from most fictional characters. For the reader, this can be just as fun as many read stories as a form of escapism. Yet, it may help to keep the story itself as believable as possible. When exploring things like cultural beliefs as they relate to the characters, continuity is key. For instance, someone of the Muslim faith is not going to eat any dish made with pork.

Sometimes the process of writing can be so exciting that the finished product may go beyond a short story. When it comes to submission, the possibilities are many. One is to create a series based on one character or setting, as well as create a shortened version for promotional purposes. These may also used in social media or blog excerpts.

Short stories can also be used as selling tools, either to promote a more lengthy works or to cross promote another item. Lighthearted pieces tend to work best in this type of scenario, as they can be used for online content or merchandising. A story that is well written and is marketable can see different forms over time.