Short story starters

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

1. ‘How on earth could you think that about me?’ shouted Nancy.
2. Olivia hesitated as she came into the room. Her handbag was not where she had left it.
3. ‘Now where have I put my glasses?’ muttered Peter.
4. It was strange how Queenie always found a way out of her frequent moments of embarrassment. Like yesterday.
5. As Robert closed his front door, he drew his coat tighter against the bitter wind. ‘What a night.’
6. Sam raced to the letter box, flung it open and grabbed the only letter. “Yes! This must be it!’
7. ‘How can you be so sure it was me?’ demanded Tina. ‘I wasn’t anywhere near you when it happened.’
8. ‘If that is how you feel,’ said Ursula, ‘this is the final straw.’
9. Vince was completely flummoxed. How was he going to get out of this toxic relationship?
10. ‘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.