Write a story featuring the “words not spoken” in a <a href="relationship“>relationship between a father and son.
Develop some otherwise common object as a metaphor for the “words not spoken” between a father and son: stone, hammer, photograph, hockey sweater, guitar, slide rule.
Read “War” by Timothy Findley.
Read “My Father is a Simple Man” by Luis Omar Salinas.
Write a story that features a “language barrier” in a relationship between a mother and daughter.
For example, have the two come into conflict over a misunderstanding of some new 21st century words: “selfie”, “hashtag”, “follower”, “salty”, or “wheeling”.
Read “Two Kinds” by Amy Tan (from The Joy Luck Club).
Write a short story with the first line – “He was terrified of small spaces and she knew” – and containing some sort of direct reference to each of the following:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopædia_Britannica
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Genealogy_of_Morality
https://www.edx.org
Imagine your story is already done:
Who is the hero in your story? Explain why you think so.
Now begin with a fuzzy plan:
Investigate drawing a plot diagram for your story. Use an online tool or draw your own chart. Complete it by adding story details under each of the following: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Have you read other stories like yours? Discuss these stories. How were their plots similar or different?
Think about a big idea:
In most good stories the characters undergo a significant change. What are some good ideas for a short story about an ordinary person who undergoes a significant change? Which idea would make an especially entertaining story for an audience of your peers?
Plan out the details:
Add details to your outline for your short story, including notes on the following: main character and personality, setting, conflict, initial incident, rising action, changes, climax, and conclusion/denouement/resolution.
Write a first draft:
Use this outline to write a first draft.
Revise:
Ask a partner to give you feedback about improving your story. Revise your draft using this feedback.
Publish:
Create a short story, piece of memoir, or epic poem that is 26 sentences long, in which the first sentence begins with “A” and each sentence thereafter begins with the next letter of the alphabet.
Sometimes you experience a time when what you planned takes an unexpected turn, ending in a rude awakening. Other times you may go stubbornly forward with plans which have every indication of not working out, but you are certain that you are right or you want desperately to make things right.
Recollect such a situation and report the events and your feelings in your blog. You may want to use the event in a short story, instead, or an advice column for your school website.
Write a short story in which the central character is a child who gains a new insight into a parent or guardian, or in which an adult and child arrive at a mutual understanding and acceptance.
Write a personal narrative essay, feature article, or short story about a time when you were faced with an intimidating, yet exhilarating challenge. Use imagery in your writing.
Write a short story that features the discovery of an unclaimed balance.
Read “The Michelle I Know,” by Alison Lohans.
Respond to the Story
Story Craft
Investigate drawing a plot diagram for this story. Use an online tool or draw your own chart. Complete it by adding story details under each of the following: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Have you read other stories like “The Michelle I know”? Discuss these stories. How were their plots similar or different? How could you use a plot diagram the next time you write your own short story?
Write a Short Story
In most good stories the characters undergo a significant change, just as Michelle does. Think about, and jot down, some ideas for a short story about an ordinary person who undergoes a significant change. Which idea would make an entertaining story for an audience of your peers?
Story Writing Tips from STJ Forums
Write an outline for your short story, including notes on the following: main character and personality, setting, conflict, initial incident, rising action, changes, climax, and conclusion/denouement/resolution. Use this outline to write a first draft. Ask a partner to give you feedback about improving your story. Revise your draft using this feedback.