The Writer's Desk: finish a Short Story
| A player-created Guide is available for this content: Short Stories (Guide) |
| Spoiler warning! This page contains details about Fallen London Actions. |
Game Instructions: The higher you pitch, the more impressive your work will be... but if you fail, you risk being seen as pretentious, and will suffer accordingly.
Unlocked with a redirect from Finish your Short Story
Storylet appears in 
Your Activities
Options:
Not quite ready yet...
- Spoiler
Write the Wilting Dandy's Story for Mr Pages
- Spoiler Unlocked with
10 x Manuscript Page, 
Potential 50, 
Ascending the Reliables List of Mr Pages exactly 16
Success
Finally, there is nothing left to say
Ascending the Reliables List of Mr Pages has increased to 23 - The Wilting Dandy kept the book; you mollified Mr Pages by writing of the Dandy's love for the Epigrammatic Irishman!!
'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
Persuasive is increasing… (+4 CP, up to level 200 + 
Persuasive Gains)
Making Waves is increasing… (+10 CP)
You now have 1 x An anonymous package
Potentially acceptable
- Spoiler Unlocked with
A Name Signed with a Flourish 3, 10 x Manuscript Page
Challenge information
Broad,
Potential 16 || 11 - very chancy (41%) || 14 - chancy (52%) || 17 - modest (63%) || 19 - very modest (71%) || 22 - low-risk (82%) || 25 - straightforward (93%) || 27 - straightforward (100%)Success
"A suitable entertainment for a slow evening."
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
You've gained 1 x Short Story- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+2 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+1 CP)
Failure
"I did eventually summon up enough energy to finish it."
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
You've gained 1 x Unloved Short Story- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+1 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
Potentially competent
- Spoiler Unlocked with
A Name Signed with a Flourish 3, 10 x Manuscript Page
Challenge information
Broad,
Potential 32 || 22 - very chancy (41%) || 28 - chancy (52%) || 33 - modest (61%) || 38 - very modest (71%) || 44 - low-risk (82%) || 49 - straightforward (91%) || 54 - straightforward (100%)Success
"Quite readable, really."
You've gained 1 x Competent Short Story- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+3 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+5 CP)
Failure
"I did eventually summon up enough energy to finish it."
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You've gained 1 x Unloved Short Story
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+1 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+1 CP)
Potentially compelling
- Spoiler Unlocked with
A Name Signed with a Flourish 3, 10 x Manuscript Page, Potential 50
Challenge information
Broad,
Potential 50 || 35 - very chancy (42%) || 43 - chancy (51%) || 51 - modest (61%) || 60 - very modest (72%) || 68 - low-risk (81%) || 76 - straightforward (91%) || 84 - straightforward (100%)Success
"Not without flaws, but it engaged my attention favourably."
You've gained 1 x Compelling Short Story- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+4 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+10 CP)
Failure
"Quite readable, really."
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+2 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- You've gained 1 x Competent Short Story
- Making Waves is increasing… (+5 CP)
Potentially thrilling
- Spoiler Unlocked with
A Name Signed with a Flourish 3, 10 x Manuscript Page, Potential 70
Challenge information
Broad,
Potential 70 || 48 - very chancy (41%) || 60 - chancy (51%) || 72 - modest (61%) || 83 - very modest (71%) || 95 - low-risk (81%) || 107 - straightforward (91%) || 117 - straightforward (100%)Success
"I say, this was good fun."
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
You've gained 1 x Thrilling Short Story- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+5 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+20 CP)
Failure
"Quite readable, really."
- You've gained 1 x Competent Short Story
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+3 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+5 CP)
Potentially exceptional
- Spoiler Unlocked with
A Name Signed with a Flourish 3, 10 x Manuscript Page, Potential 80
Challenge information
Broad,
Potential 80 || 55 - very chancy (41%) || 68 - chancy (51%) || 82 - modest (61%) || 95 - very modest (71%) || 108 - low-risk (81%) || 122 - straightforward (91%) || 134 - straightforward (100%)Success
"This deserves wider recognition."
You've gained 1 x Exceptional Short Story- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+6 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+25 CP)
Failure
"Not without flaws, but it engaged my attention favourably."
- You've gained 1 x Compelling Short Story
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- Persuasive is increasing… (+4 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Making Waves is increasing… (+10 CP)
Potentially extraordinary
- Spoiler Unlocked with
A Name Signed with a Flourish 3, 10 x Manuscript Page, Potential 90
Challenge information
Broad,
Potential 90 || 62 - very chancy (41%) || 77 - chancy (51%) || 92 - modest (61%) || 107 - very modest (71%) || 122 - low-risk (81%) || 137 - straightforward (91%) || 150 - straightforward (100%)Success
"I eagerly await this author's next work."
You've gained 1 x Extraordinary Short Story- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+7 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+30 CP)
Failure
"I say, this was good fun."
- You've gained 1 x Thrilling Short Story
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+5 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+20 CP)
Potentially masterful
- Spoiler Unlocked with
A Name Signed with a Flourish 3, 10 x Manuscript Page, Potential 100
Challenge information
Broad,
Potential 100 || 69 - very chancy (41%) || 85 - chancy (51%) || 102 - modest (61%) || 119 - very modest (71%) || 135 - low-risk (81%) || 152 - straightforward (91%) || 167 - straightforward (100%)Success
"A storyteller of note and substance!"
You've gained 1 x Masterful Short Story- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+8 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+35 CP)
Failure
"This deserves wider recognition."
- You've gained 1 x Exceptional Short Story
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+6 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+25 CP)
Potentially celebrated
- Spoiler Unlocked with
A Name Signed with a Flourish 3, 10 x Manuscript Page, Potential 150
Challenge information
Broad,
Potential 150 || 103 - very chancy (41%) || 128 - chancy (51%) || 153 - modest (61%) || 178 - very modest (71%) || 203 - low-risk (81%) || 228 - straightforward (91%) || 250 - straightforward (100%)Success
"We are priviled to witness the operation of a talent of this magnitude."
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+9 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
You've gained 1 x Celebrated Short Story- Making Waves is increasing… (+40 CP)
Failure
"I eagerly await this author's next work."
- You've gained 1 x Extraordinary Short Story
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Persuasive is increasing… (+7 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- Making Waves is increasing… (+30 CP)
Potentially classic
- Spoiler Unlocked with
A Name Signed with a Flourish 3, 10 x Manuscript Page, Potential 200
Challenge information
Broad,
Potential 200 || 137 - very chancy (41%) || 170 - chancy (51%) || 204 - modest (61%) || 237 - very modest (71%) || 270 - low-risk (81%) || 304 - straightforward (91%) || 334 - straightforward (100%)Success
"I do not use the word 'genius' lightly, but there is no lesser word that I can in good conscience substitute..."
You've gained 1 x Classic Short Story- Persuasive is increasing… (+10 CP)
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- Making Waves is increasing… (+100 CP)
Failure
"A storyteller of note and substance!"
- You've gained 1 x Masterful Short Story
- Persuasive is increasing… (+8 CP, up to level 200 + Persuasive Gains)
- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- You no longer have any of this: Manuscript Page
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
- Making Waves is increasing… (+35 CP)
Make Your Name: Publish your story
- Spoiler Unlocked with
10 x Manuscript Page, Potential 30, A Name Signed with a Flourish exactly 2
Success
A promising tale
You've gained 1000 x Penny- 'Potential' has been reset: a conclusion, or a new beginning?
- Your 'Manuscript Page' Quality has gone!
- You're no longer working on anything. [Resets 'Working on...']
Redirects to: Sought by London's Finest
^
Summary
Go back, if your story is Not quite ready yet... or finish it off if you have at least 10 pages with 16 Potential. Publishing is a Potential challenge, consumes all created pages and might add some Making Waves. Failing degrades your story two tiers. Echoes sale price is in brackets - although not higher math, for your convenience the last column shows the value loss on a failure.
| Challenge information |
Rework up to |
Potentially | Success | Failure | Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 62
|
acceptable |  (2)
|
 (1) |
1 |
| 32 | 62
|
competent |  (10)
|
(1) |
9 |
| 50 |    62   72
|
compelling |  (30)
|
(10) |
20 |
| 70 |  81 5x  83
|
thrilling |  (50)
|
(10) |
40 |
| 80 |  92
|
exceptional |  (60)
|
(30) |
30 |
| 90 |  105
|
extraordinary |  (70)
|
(50) |
20 |
| 100 |   115  152  162
|
masterful |  (80)
|
(60) |
20 |
| 150 |
|
celebrated |  (130)
|
(70) |
60 |
| 200 | classic |  (180)
|
(80) |
100 |
Final notes:
- Once you’ve completed your Short Story, you’re ready to start again and write another!
- A Compelling Short Story has a real bad ratio on action points for what it's worth in the end, if you don't push your Potential with some Laudanum.
- A failure on A Thrilling Short Story is a real pain, so it seems advisable to rather aim for An Exceptional Short Story.
- The optimal way to earn the most echoes and Making Waves per action with modified Persuasive 183+ is to grind Touching Love Stories in Polythreme, use Laudanum! and scrap it if it fails, then use either Write frantically or Write frenziedly if you have high enough Persuasive, then use your love stories to increase Potential to 110. Not counting the zee trips since the impact of those approaches zero as the amount of time spent overzee increases, this gives 1.73 echoes and 0.746 Making Waves per action.
- A Celebrated Short Story is already expensive, risky and hard to achieve, but, if there's no serious need, to aim for a classic is quite insane - it requires a minimum of 2 Trade Secrets, which take 8 weeks to gather and sell for 120 echoes directly or can be converted to 250 echoes of items, whereas the Short Story goes away for 180. Of course, some Londoners are insane.
- Advance from Journalist to Author
- This needs an
Exceptional Short Story to advance from tier 1 to tier 2. - And as the card claims: "Being an Author […] pays better than Journalism" - to be clear, this only refers to the fact that tier 2 professions pay better weekly than their tier 1 variants and this does NOT mean that Short Story authoring or anything else is more profitable when you are an Author.
- This needs an
