So…you’re ready to write a short story or novel, but could use a kickstart. My friend, we’ve got your back! With the help of story starters, you’ll be sure to find a plot, setting, or even character to get the ball rolling.
Story Starters and Writing Prompts
As a writer, you sometimes need a little inspiration to get started on a new project or to spruce up a story you’re already working on.
In this section, we’ll explore various types of story starters and writing prompts to help ignite your creativity. Feel free to use these as a foundation for your own unique tales!
Character Driven Prompts
To create memorable characters, consider these prompts that focus on their personal experiences and interactions:
- Imagine your protagonist receives an unexpected letter that changes their life.
- Your main character discovers a hidden talent they didn’t know they had.
- Explore the relationship between two unlikely friends who find common ground in their differences.
Adventure and Excitement
For stories brimming with action and thrilling journeys, look to these prompts for inspiration:
- Your hero embarks on a treasure hunt, chasing after a long-lost artifact with an ancient curse.
- Infiltrating an enemy’s fortress, your protagonist must make a tough decision that risks their own safety.
- Your character comes face-to-face with their most formidable rival in a high-stakes competition.
Accident and Danger
For narratives that keep your readers on the edge of their seats, try these prompts involving unexpected mishaps and peril:
- An accident leaves your protagonist stranded in an unknown location, with only their wits to help them survive.
- Your character witnesses a crime and must decide whether to intervene or stay out of harm’s way.
- A natural disaster strikes, leaving your protagonist and others in a race against time to find safety.
Fairy Tales and Magic
Enchant your readers with fantastical elements and imaginative worlds by considering these magical prompts:
- Your hero stumbles upon a hidden realm filled with mysterious creatures and powerful beings.
- An ancient spell is accidentally activated, causing chaos in your character’s hometown.
- A magical artifact chooses your protagonist as its guardian, bestowing unique powers upon them.
Alien and Otherworldly Prompts
If you’re looking to create captivating stories beyond our world, these prompts will transport your readers into the realms of the unknown:
- Your character encounters an extraterrestrial visitor with a critical message for humankind.
- An unexplainable phenomenon occurs in your protagonist’s city, causing residents to question their reality.
- A portal to another dimension opens, presenting your hero with a dangerous yet irresistible opportunity to explore.
Remember to keep the focus on your reader as you incorporate these story starters and writing prompts.
Nothing here catch your eye? Keep reading for more story starters!
Inspiring Creative Juices
Sometimes, all you need is a little push in the right direction to get your creative juices flowing. In this section, we’ll discuss two types of story starters that can help you generate new ideas and kickstart your next writing project.
Visual Story Starters
Visual story starters can really help bring your ideas to life. They can be based on anything, from a simple image to an elaborate scene that captivates your imagination.
For example, imagine a cat sitting on a fence under the moon and looking at a man walking by a river. This image can spark numerous ideas for your story, such as:
- What makes this cat so special?
- Does the man feel compelled to follow the cat, which leads him to a magical forest?
- Is the river hiding a secret only the cat can reveal?
Using visual cues can make your creative process more engaging and fun.
Setting Based Prompts
Another great way to find inspiration for your story is through setting-based prompts. These prompts focus on a specific location that can serve as the foundation of your plot.
For example, consider the following scenarios:
- A mysterious and ancient forest that holds secrets from a long-lost civilization
- A futuristic city on a distant planet where humans and aliens coexist
- A bustling and vibrant market filled with vendors selling all sorts of exotic goods
Using the first setting, you might begin your story with a descriptive sentence that sets the scene:
“The moment her feet touched the earth of the ancient forest, she felt a subtle whisper of the wind – a mysterious force guiding her toward a hidden truth.”
Or create a compelling hook to engage your readers instantly:
“As he wandered through the alien market, he couldn’t help but feel like every eye was watching him – even the ones he couldn’t see.”
Whether it’s visual story starters or setting-based prompts, finding the perfect inspiration and idea to spark your imagination can make all the difference in turning a blank page into a captivating story.
Story Starter Sentences
Now we’ll dive into story starter sentences. These captivating lines are perfect for sparking your creativity as well as your imagination and can instantly transport a reader to a new world.
“As the morning sun warmed his face, Tommy slowly opened his eyes, eager to explore the possibilities of a new day.” Where is Tommy waking up – a cozy bed or grassy knoll? And what exact possibilities await him?
“The sharp scent of lemon and the sizzle of onions frying on a cast-iron skillet filled the cozy kitchen as Grandma stirred her secret sauce, humming a familiar tune.” Is this the start of a heartwarming story? Or a cozy mystery?
Story starter sentences also create opportunities for children to project themselves into a narrative. For instance:
“You walked into the classroom on the first day of school, your heart pounding with excitement and nerves, when suddenly the teacher announced a surprise assignment.” This sentence allows students to personally connect with the story, inspiring them to continue the adventure.
Looking for more story starter sentences? Our friends at Journal Buddies created 51 Super Story Starter Sentences!
Further Development
Creative Exercises
Looking for some out-of-the-box story starters? Consider visiting your local library and picking up a few books in different genres. Take note of their story openers.
Then, spend time reimagining each opener to fit a new genre or setting. This exercise will help to stretch your creativity and challenge you to think differently about each story starter.
Using the Five Senses
Another great way to further develop your story starters is by incorporating the five senses into your scenes. This will help you create vivid and immersive experiences for your readers.
For example:
- Sight: Describe the colors and shapes of objects and people. Is the beach filled with bright umbrellas, or is it a quiet, deserted stretch of sand with only the stranger’s footprints?
- Hearing: What sounds are present in the scene? Can your protagonist hear the waves crashing on the shore, or the distant laughter of children playing?
- Touch: Consider the textures your characters experience. Does the sun-warmed sand feel gritty beneath their feet, or is there a cool breeze brushing against their skin?
- Taste: If your characters are eating or drinking, describe the flavors they experience. Are they enjoying a cold, sweet ice cream cone, or sipping salty seawater accidentally?
- Smell: What scents are filling the air? Is there a salty, ocean breeze wafting through the scene or the scent of sunscreen and tanning lotion?
By focusing on these sensory details, you can make your story starters more engaging, helping to capture your readers’ imagination and draw them into your tale.
So…which of the story starters caught your eye? Or maybe you decided to tweak one and make it your own?
No matter how your story starts, we just know it’s destined for greatness. Happy writing!
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