Brainstorm about your story idea, characters, setting, or scene ideas, depending on what comes to mind. You might make a mind map to develop your ideas in a visual manner.
You might start with something like this: Two best friends are in a car accident, but only 1 girl is recovered from the car. Here’s an example blurb: Kait and her best friend Maria are thrilled when they’re invited to the party of the year. On their way home, however, Kait’s car slides on the wet road and crashes into a tree. When she wakes up in the hospital, Kait learns Maria wasn’t in the car. Now everyone believes Maria ran off with someone, but Kait knows her friend was with her on the night of the crash.
Most importantly, identify what your character wants in the story. [4] X Research source Character sheets can be as long or as short as you like. For a short story, you might create a brief outline for your supporting characters. You can find character sheet templates here: https://onestopforwriters. com/templates_worksheets.
Internal conflicts are between the character and themself. For example, the character may know what they are doing is wrong but struggle to stop. External conflicts occur outside the character. There are 3 main types: Person versus person: The main character faces an antagonist. For example, a girl confronts her bully. Person versus nature: The main character faces natural elements. For example, campers must survive in the forest during a terrible storm. Person versus society: The main character confronts issues in society or the rules of society. For example, a girl engages in civil disobedience to help change a law.
If you’re setting your story in a place or time period unfamiliar to you, do some research to learn more about it. This will help you when it comes to writing the theme of your story. It’s a good idea to look at photos of your setting, whether you use personal photos or pictures available online.
Don’t try to force yourself to work in order. The more you get out on paper, the easier it will be to fill in the gaps.
This scene will act as your exposition if you’re following a traditional plot outline. For example, in the story about Kait and Maria presented above, you could open your story with Kait and Maria driving to the party. The car could slide on the pavement, causing Kait to struggle to gain control over the car.
In a very short story, your hook and inciting incident may be the same scene. For example, the inciting incident in Kait and Maria’s story would be when the car crashes into the tree.
In a longer story, it’s a good idea to build moments of tension relief into your rising action to give the reader a break from the tension. For example, the rising action in Kait and Maria’s story might show Kait in the hospital, Kait talking to the police, Kait getting grounded from driving, Kait contacting friends to search for Maria, Kait searching social media for references of Maria, and Kait searching the car and her stuff for signs of Maria.
For example, the climax of Kait and Maria’s story might be when Kait discovers Maria’s cell phone under the seat of the car, convincing her she’s been right all along. Kait might steal her dad’s car to drive out to the area of the crash to look for Maria. As the police arrive, Kait might slip into the woods to search for her friend. Just as she’s about to get caught, Kait might spot her injured friend curled inside the brush.
For Kait and Maria’s story, the falling action might include Kait getting help for Maria, Maria recovering in the hospital, and everyone apologizing for not believing Kait.
Kait and Maria’s story might end with them having a small gathering to celebrate Maria’s recovery.
If you aren’t sure how to get from A to B at this point, make a note to go back to that spot. Then, move on. You can come back to the gap later.
Remember, you can always add to your plot outline later, so don’t feel like you have to write out everything now.
Roman Numerals (I, II, III, IV, V) for main points. For example, this could be a 1-sentence scene summary. Capital letters (A, B, C) for subpoints. For example, you could list each action that takes place in a particular scene. Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for supporting details. For example, this might include important information you need to include or information about side characters. Lowercase letters (a, b, c) for minor details. For example, you might include characterization details you plan to include in the scene.
Number each scene appropriately as you complete your outline.
If you find a gap in your story, try to fill it in. If you aren’t sure how you plan to resolve it, include a main point stating what needs to happen to connect those plot points.
List all characters who are in the scene. Write out every action that takes place in the scene. Note important details used for characterization, foreshadowing, building tension, etc.
