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However,
it is important to map out what you will say and plan the order of what will happen to make for a
logical and sequential story. It is much more interesting to read a story that you can follow!
A successful and entertaining short story should include these five elements:
Brainstorming:
1. Characters - short stories usually have few characters. One character is the main character
and is central to the story. He/she/it is the protagonist. The opposing character is the
antagonist.
A. their name
B. their physical appearance
C. job
D. what they say, think, feel and dream
E. what others say about them and how others react to them
A. place - geographical location. Where is the action of the story taking place? Desert,
jungle, arctic, city, rural area, place in the past, futuristic city?
B. time - When is the story taking place? (historical period, time of day, year, etc)
C. weather conditions - Is it rainy, sunny, stormy, etc?
D. mood or atmosphere - What feeling is created at the beginning of the story? Is it bright
and cheerful or dark and frightening?
Writing the story:
5. Theme of the story – this is the main idea about your story. Is it good vs. evil? Survival?
Love conquers all? Keep trying no matter what happens? Believe in yourself? Don’t judge a book
by its cover? People can change? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?