Stuck for a place to start writing short stories? In a post on Writer’s Digest, May-lee Chai shares the places she goes for inspiration.
- The News. News stories focus on who, what, when, where, and how, but rarely go deeper into why. However, short fiction can let you dive deep into the why behind a story taken from the headlines.
- Holidays. “High emotional expectations for a holiday get-together can mean greater chances for disappointment, conflict, even fights,” Chai says. “While they can be painful in real life, these events are great seeds for stories.”
- Experiments with Form. Short stories have been written as multiple-choice quizzes, screenplays, a game, lists, even literary analysis.
- Starting with Action. “Beginning in medias res can be useful because you have to think of a reason for the event to be happening,” Chai says. “It gives you a dramatic beginning, and then unpacking that event can lead you into the deeper meaning.”
- Playing with Time. Consider an event that happened in real life, to you or a loved one, and change the time period. How has the event changed? What new or fewer options does your character have for managing the event?
- A Stranger Coming to Town. A stranger moving to town is a common story trope. Create an outsider and imagine why they’ve come to a new place, how they feel, and how they’re treated.
- Reading Short Stories. Reading is – or should be – your greatest source for inspiration. Read stories and re-read those you love. Set aside time to read one of your favorites and then start writing immediately after you’ve finished.
