In the context of a short story, every sentence, every word must serve a specific purpose. That's why the writers who have mastered this form -- Flannery O'Connor, Edgar Allen Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Raymond Carver -- are often afforded the highest critical praise. In Short Story Writing: A Practical Treatise on the Art of the Short Story, Charles Raymond Barrett offers simple, straightforward tips and advice that will help any aspiring author sharpen their short-story writing skills.