How to Structure a Short Story, part 2

Notes on Background and Narrative Flow

This is part 2 of the 5-part series How to Structure a Short Story. Begin here.

BACKGROUND

Once you've presented the inciting action, you may want to step back and give a little (but not too much) background information.

In the second section of Melissa Yancy’s "Dog Years," Jeanette looks at her watch. "It was a gift from Gordy for her forty-sixth birthday…