Choose a set of three elements, and imagine a story that includes all three of them.
Here are 3 ideas you can use to create fictional characters and stories:
Now, YOU complete the sentences to get even more character ideas:
Here are some beginnings for stories or poems. Start with one of these and see where your imagination takes you.
Here are some twist endings you can use in your own fiction. See what story ideas they give you...
Just follow these recipes, and see what comes out of your imagination.
SHORT STORY RECIPE
Beginning of the story: Your character's mother wants your character to do something, and your character doesn't want to do it. They argue about it.
Next part: The argument is interrupted by a surprising sight which startles both of them.
Next: The surprising sight brings back a memory from your character's childhood involving his/her mother. Flash back to this memory.
Next: Return to the present. Your character and his/her mother continue their conversation, but the tone of it is changed by the surprise and by your character's thoughts about the past.
POEM RECIPE
Line 1: Give the reader an instruction.
Line 2: Refer to a smell.
Line 3: Use the word "ghostly".
Line 4: Mention a childhood toy.
Line 5: Quote a proverb or saying.
Line 6: Refer to an animal.
Line 7: Repeat a phrase from earlier in this poem.
Line 8: Ask the reader a question.
Sign up for our free e-mail group to receive fiction prompts, writing tips, and Creative Writing Now news.
You can find hundreds of ideas for stories on our website. Here are some links to start with:
Click here to go back to the Creative Writing Ideas Blog.