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.
Short story starters
No Comments »24th September, 2015; Category: Fiction, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story Starters, Writing prompts
My series of short story starters and writing prompts on this site continue to be very popular with readers, so here is another set of ideas.
Just copy one (or more) of these sentences as the opening to your story.
The rest is up to your imagination.
Warm up exercise: consider using one of these ideas as a short, 15 minute warm up writing exercise before you start on your work-in-progress.
Writing prompts:
- James hesitated when he reached the basement, wondering if it was safe to enter.
- Katrina knew she shouldn’t be walking through this unfamiliar part of the city.
- Leanne picked up the book with the strangest of titles.
- Malcolm couldn’t resist; he just had to phone his brother and find out the result.
- Five hours had elapsed since Nanette had called.
- Paris had always intrigued Olga, but not for the usual reasons.
- If I had asked Peter a week ago that this was going to happen, he would have laughed in my face.
- She had dreaded this day coming for many weeks, but Ronya was pleasantly surprised by the actual outcome.
- Setting off at midnight was not Sam’s idea, but it was the least of his troubles that day.
- “How can we go on,” said Tony, “when this has just happened?”
- “Unless you let me have the gun,” whispered Vanessa, “we are never getting out of this place.”
- As soon as Wendy opened the rusty gate, she knew that this visit was going to be different.
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.
Good writing.
Trevor
Short story starters
No Comments »1st October, 2012; Category: Fiction, Short Fiction, Short Stories, Short Story Starters, Writing prompts
It has been a long time since I last listed here a set of story openers. So I thought it was an opportune time to add another in this popular series.
1. Jacinta knew it would be the last time they would meet. Sadly, she turned away and walked…
2. Kelly froze. The shattered glass had crackled under her shoe. She took another step, hardly daring to…
3. Lauren strolled to the door and opened it enough to see who was there. “Peter! You’re the last person I would have expected to…
4. It took all of twenty seconds for Morris to realise what the strange sound meant. By then it was almost too late. He…
5. In the distance Nat could see dust billowing skywards. “At last,” he said to anyone within hearing range. “About time too…
6. Penny slowly dressed in her favourite colours, including her favourite blue top, picked up her phone and purse and firmly locked the door as she left the house. This was to be the last time she…
7. Quentin hated his name. In fact, he hated most things about himself, his job, his home and even his so-called friends. He decided to…
8. At last Ros reached the decrepit building on Seventh Avenue. It was just as she remembered it the night she had…
9. With a delighted grin, Steve climbed into the cockpit and…
10. Terry never knew what hit him. Observers say he never had a chance. His fate was sealed the moment he…
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
Okay – so you are trying to face a day of writing – but the ideas just won’t come.
Nothing.
It’s a frustrating feeling, knowing that you have to get a story written in the next two days and off to meet the magazine deadline or competition due date, but you have no ideas. The sinking feeling in the stomach makes the sinking of the Titanic seem like a hole ridden rubber duck in bath tub.
Sound familiar?
It’s a common feeling with too many writers. That’s where I come in. My most popular posts on this blog by far are the series I’ve called Short Story Starters. This is how it works: I give the first line or sentence or two of a story – you use that to get you started and before you know it, you have 200, 500 or even a thousand words and it’s taking over. Wonderful. Problem solved. Use any of the ideas here, adapt them to your own ideas, style, voice – whatever.
Short Story Starters
- “I’ve seen that face before.” Ken stared at the photo, trying to remember. That’s the thug who…
- Loretta knew she had one chance left. The butterflies were already dancing and the stomach churning threatened a further disaster of epic proportions. She gripped the pole tighter and…
- In the fog of trying to wake up Mickey was aware of someone else in his room. He tried to sit up but….
- ‘Neil? Are you there Neil?’ The voice was persistent and tinged with anxiety. ‘Are you in there?’ The knocking grew louder and Neil knew he had to respond, somehow. He….
- Paula had finished. With a smile of satisfaction she lightly brushed across her mouth with the back of her hand. ‘That was…
- The setting sun lit the vineyards stretched out across the valley. Rob watched as the golden glow deepened. He reached for…
- Susan hesitated. The door should have been locked. It gently swung open to reveal a…
Over to you. Time to get writing.
Good writing.
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.