Archive for the 'Short Story Starters' Category

Short story starters

No Comments »19th January, 2016; Category: Fiction, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story Starters, Writing prompts

Over the last few years I have written many posts similar to this one. Many of them have proved to be very popular with my readers and consistently draw many readers. I have also had good feedback from readers who have used them.

The idea behind these lists is to start your thinking off on a certain track – and then to let your imagination run wild. Use any of these ideas as you like, adapt the ideas to suit your thinking and away you go.

Each one could be used as an opening line, or a finishing line, or a sentence somewhere in your story.

Story starters

‘How on earth could you think that about me?’ shouted Nancy.
Olivia hesitated as she came into the room. Her handbag was not where she had left it.
‘Now where have I put my glasses?’ muttered Peter.
It was strange how Queenie always found a way out of her frequent moments of embarrassment. Like yesterday.
As Robert closed his front door, he drew his coat tighter against the bitter wind. ‘What a night.’
Sam raced to the letter box, flung it open and grabbed the only letter. “Yes! This must be it!’
‘How can you be so sure it was me?’ demanded Tina. ‘I wasn’t anywhere near you when it happened.’
‘If that is how you feel,’ said Ursula, ‘this is the final straw.’
Vince was completely flummoxed. How was he going to get out of this toxic relationship?
‘That will do!’ yelled William. ‘That is the perfect spot for my pride and joy.’

You can access many more short story starters here.

Conditions of use:

Feel free to use any of the story starters listed above. Change anything to suit your needs.

Give it your best shot.

Edit your work carefully before sending it off to a publisher or posting it on your blog.

Let me know in the comments section how it went.

If you publish your story on your web site or on your blog let me know so I can make a link to it for others to read.

Writing prompts

No Comments »11th December, 2015; Category: Fiction, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story Starters, Writing prompts

In the Ziz Valley, Morocco

I took the photo above while on a tour of Morocco in December 2011. You can read more about my travels on Trevor’s Travels.

My wife and I found that our experiences over just two weeks in Morocco were not only fascinating – they were almost overwhelming. The colours, the sounds, the aromas, the food, the masses of people in the medinas, the amazing mosaics everywhere and the silence of the Sahara. Everywhere we looked we saw new things, different things, amazing and downright perplexing things.

I found it easy to write a daily journal during our trip. I also wrote many poems along the way. (You can read some of my poetry here.) Unusual experiences, or undertaking activities which are out of our usual realm of experience are often excellent stepping off points for writing.

Today I want you to focus on the photo of the farmer shown above. I am assuming he is a farmer on his way to, or just coming back from, the market place. Here are some ideas to help you with your writing.

Writing prompts:

Imagine you are the farmer in the photo. Reminisce on your day so far.
Write a poem (or poems) inspired by the photo.
Imagine the man in the photo has had a tragedy in his life recently. Describe how he is feeling, what happened and how he is going to respond to his changed circumstances.
Use the photo as a jumping off point for a short story. It does not have to be set in Morocco.
Where is the man going? Where has he been? What is his purpose in travelling along this road? Let your imagination soar.
Imagine that the man has just heard some bad news. Describe his feelings, trying to get inside his head, his thoughts, his emotions.
Write a story about the man in the photo assuming that he is not a farmer. What is he doing? Where is he going? What is his background? What happens next?

Good writing.

Trevor.

Writing prompt: Moroccan woman

No Comments »25th November, 2015; Category: Fiction, Poetry, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story Starters, Writing prompts

Woman in Morocco

Today’s writing prompt is a little different.

I took the photo above a few years ago on a wonderful tour of magical Morocco. My wife, daughter and I spent two very interesting weeks on a guided tour by mini-bus visiting some of the highlights of Morocco. We visited ancient Roman ruins and modern mosques, the sands of the Sahara desert and the frenetic market places in the exotic cities of Fez, Rabat and Marrakech.

One quiet rural town we stayed in was Midelt where we were taken on a walking tour of some of the local farms. While on this walk I spied this local woman at a water source. I am not sure what she is doing with the pot in her hand. It is at that point I want your imagination to kick into gear.

Here are some suggestions to get you going:

Imagine you are the woman in the photo – describe a typical day in your life.
Write a short description of the scene shown in the photo and your reaction to it.
Wrote a poem about the hardships of rural life in a country like Morocco (or any other country you know well).
Make a list of the differences between your life, and what you can imagine this woman’s life might be like.
Use the photo as a jumping off point for a short story with you as the narrator. Place yourself in the scene and imagine what happens next.

Good writing.

Short story starters

No Comments »19th November, 2015; Category: Fiction, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story Starters, Writing prompts

Here is another set of short story starters.

Just choose one of them and use it as the first sentence in a short story. In fact, you can use more of them if you wish.

1. Fiona straightened her dress, gently brushed a hand over her hair and knocked confidently on the door.

2. Her life was never the same after that first encounter with Harry on the train.

3. It was the start of a series of exciting events, but Geoff didn’t know it at first.

4. It took Joan a few seconds to realise that she was in terrible danger.

5. On his fourth attempt Ken finally made it up the steep bank of the river.

6. “I had no idea that Peter felt that way,” said Lauren.

7. It was not until Monday that Maureen realised that she had made a terrible mistake.

8. Nancy knew at once that she should have reacted differently.

9. How could Peter have foreseen the immediate consequences of his simple words.

10. Rowena saw her changed situation as a wonderful opportunity to get back at her “friend.”

You can access many more short story starters here.

Conditions of use:

Feel free to use any of the story starters listed above. Change anything to suit your needs.

Give it your best shot.

Edit your work carefully before sending it off to a publisher or posting it on your blog.

Let me know in the comments section how it went.

If you publish your story on your web site or on your blog let me know so I can make a link to it for others to read.

Short story starters

No Comments »13th October, 2015; Category: Fiction, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story Starters, Writing Hints, Writing prompts

Today I have added another set of short story starters.

Just choose one of them and use it as the first sentence in a short story.

1. As Don turned the corner, he was surprised to see who was standing next to his car.

2. Fiona stopped and stared at the bush in the corner of her auntie’s garden.

3. In the rush to get to the football ground in time for the match, Harry had quite forgotten one, extremely important detail.

4. On reflection, Joel should have seen this argument coming.

5. As Lorna hobbled up the path to her front door, she pondered on the events of this important, life-changing day.

6. Twelve years ago Nola would not have reacted in this way, but things had changed – and not for the better.

7. Peta had quite forgotten her father’s advice and blazed ahead regardless.

8. Without a moment’s hesitation Ross slipped the envelope through the slot in the door.

9. As Toni walked across the stage to the lectern, she was sure about only one thing.

10. The clock ticking on the wall reminded Wendy that her time was slipping away rapidly.

You can find more short story starters here and more writing prompts here.

Conditions of use:

Feel free to use any of the story starters listed above. Change anything to suit your needs.

Give it your best shot.

Edit your work carefully before sending it off to a publisher or posting it on your blog.

Let me know in the comments section how it went.

If you publish your story on your web site or on your blog let me know so I can make a link to it for others to read.