Any written work must have a message or a clue that runs through it, and the topic is the skeleton or frame of which revolve around the plot, characters, settings, etc.. If you write, make sure that every word is subordinated to the topic. The temptation is to use words in your short story to show your talent in characterization, descriptive writing, dialogue and Äemugod another ... But every superfluous word can dilute your story. The best stories are those that closely follow the baseline.