EXERCISE: Seven Steps to a Story? (Rerun)

[mbarker]

Original Posting 2022/01/09 (and once before that!)

Original Posting April 4, 2018

Okay! Based loosely on a flash fiction worksheet that I found floating around in my files...

1. Write five problem statements. SHORT! 12 words max! A character, a desire, and a problem.
2. Expand those into beginnings. Put the character and the problem in a setting. Keep it tight! 10 to 150 words!
3. Think about complications. What could go wrong? One small complication, one large.
4. Write those as the middles! Tight! 350 words?
5. Now, dream up endings. Obvious, hideous, and ironic? Pick the one you prefer...
6. Write that ending! TIGHT! 50 words! Can you do it?
7. Poof! Pick out the best and polish it! There you go!

The big thing here is brainstorming those problem statements. You might want to start by brainstorming characters, wants, and issues separately, then try mix-and-match to come up with interesting combinations.

And... of course...

WRITE!