Notes

You may recall that the first step in any writing process is the prewriting process. When writing short stories, there are certain strategies you can use to help get you started.

Choosing a Story Type—Select a type of story to tell. For example, you may want to write a mystery, a western, or a fable or folk tale. Then, write a sentence or two telling about the story: where it takes place, who is involved, what the conflict is, and what happens at the story’s end. Use these ideas as the basis for your short story.

Naming Characters—Jot down the names of characters that you might like to write about. Then, write a few phrases about each character you’ve named. Choose the character that most interests you as the central character of your short story.

Drawing a Setting—Interesting settings can sometimes trigger story ideas. Start by sketching a setting. It can be an actual setting, like a schoolroom; a historical setting, like a mining camp in the Old West; or a fantasy setting, like an undiscovered planet. Then, look at your drawing, and think of a conflict that may occur in the scene and the characters who might be in the conflict. Use these ideas to build your short story.