Write what you know: ten story idea starters

In high school, creative writing assignments (short stories and one-act plays, in my case) tend to generate out-of-this-world story ideas. Settings that students choose might range from deepest outer space to the inner workings of the Kremlin in the old Soviet Union. Invariably, students have little or no firsthand knowledge of these places, and they would be much better served to write about the world they know. With that in mind, I wrote the following ten story starters that live a little closer to home.

1. Students are standing in the serving line in the cafeteria, or sitting at a cafeteria table. Perhaps they start out by complaining about the food. Then a more important issue arises -- perhaps a dispute between two students, or a boyfriend-girlfriend issue. Perhaps a food-fight erupts (maybe this tale is a farce)? The cafeteria aides could be characters too.
2. Students are riding on a bus. Are there differences among the students based on where they sit on the bus (social hierarchy)? Perhaps there is a traffic accident, or perhaps the students see something incredible or remarkable going on outside the bus? How do they react?

3. Students in a writing group are trying to brainstorm ideas. This could be a story about the story your group is trying to write right now. Do they disagree? What conclusions do they reach? This could be a real mind-blower (a story within a story)!
4. A boyfriend-girlfriend emotional conflict could be central to your tale. The other friends could be characters as well. Rumors and arguments circulate and could be part of the dramatic action.

5. Students are in the detention room / in-school suspension room. Perhaps something happens that causes a conflict between two students, or between a student and the detention supervisor. Perhaps two characters find they have something in common or come to a new understanding of, and respect for, each other. (Yes, I know this idea is very derivative of the film The Breakfast Club…)
6. Fans are in the stands at a high school sporting event. Does something exciting happen during the game? How do the fans react to this event? Confine your story to the bleachers.
7. Students are in a classroom, and the teacher leaves the room and never comes back during the course of the story. What do the students do? What happens?
8. A fire drill occurs. Perhaps it leads to a mysterious discovery of something or someone outside the school. What happens next?
9. What happens during a dodge ball game (or pick any other sport of your choice)? Do two students in the dodge-ball game have a “history” and are in conflict? How does that play out during the game?
10. Thanksgiving dinner brings out issues and conflicts and relationships in a family. How are these situations resolved?

Or simply think of the myriad other situations students encounter on a daily basis: the SAT tests, going to the school nurse, a class in the art room, a school concert, etc., etc. In college, it might be the student union, a school club, the dorm, etc., etc. The possibilities are (literally) endless.

© 2014 Bob Dial.  All rights reserved.