How To Write A Southern Gothic Short Story . This means that, when you are writing a short story, you are restricted in some ways. Many things that its contemporary readers considered horrifying about gothic fiction are pretty quaint by today's standards — largely. Creative Writing Gothic Fiction By Gothic writing, Gothic fiction from www.pinterest.com For many readers, to kill a mockingbird was their first encounter with southern gothic. • they cover a short period of time, or deal with a single event in their plot. Identify a short story idea.