To develop ideas for fiction short stories, try thinking about your dreams or nightmares. They often contain strange and interesting scenarios that can be the basis for a story. Additionally, take a character archetype, like the hero or the trickster, and put them in an unexpected situation. For example, a trickster in a world where honesty is the most valued trait. You can also rewrite classic stories from a different perspective. Take the story of Cinderella, but tell it from the point of view of one of the stepsisters. This can lead to fresh and engaging ideas.
Read a lot. Reading different types of fiction exposes you to various storylines, characters, and settings, which can inspire your own ideas. Also, observe the world around you. Everyday events, people's behaviors, and even the environment can give you ideas. For example, if you see an old, abandoned building, you could imagine a story about what happened there in the past or what secrets it might hold.
One way to develop ideas for fiction short stories is to start with a 'what if' question. For instance, 'What if people could fly?' Then build a story around that concept. You can also draw from your own emotions. If you're feeling lonely, you could write a story about a character who is isolated and how they deal with it. Another approach is to combine different genres or elements. Maybe a science - fiction story set in a medieval - like world. By mixing things up, you can create unique and interesting ideas.
Look at real - life historical events or places with a dark past. For example, old asylums or abandoned prisons. These can provide a great backdrop for your story. You can also think about different types of supernatural elements like ghosts, vampires, or witches. Combine them with a character who has a flaw or a secret that gets drawn into the dark world of the gothic setting.
Look at your own experiences. Maybe that embarrassing moment at school can be transformed into a fictional short story with some exaggeration. You can also draw inspiration from dreams. Those wild and often illogical dreams can be the seed for an interesting short story.
Look at real - life situations. For instance, conflicts at work, like colleagues competing for a limited number of promotions. You can take this and fictionalize it for your short story.
You can start by thinking about your own fears. For example, if you're afraid of the dark, you could create a story where a character is trapped in a pitch - black place with something unknown lurking. Another way is to look at real - life events and give them a spooky twist. Say there was a news story about a missing person. In your horror story, the missing person could be the victim of a supernatural force that hides in the woods. Also, folklore and urban legends are great sources. You can take elements from them, like the idea of a werewolf or a vampire, and put your own unique spin on it.
Think about historical events or places. Abandoned mental asylums, old cemeteries, and haunted castles are great starting points. For instance, if you choose an abandoned mental asylum, research the history of how these places were run in the past. You might find out about cruel treatments and experiments. Then, you can create a story where a character goes to explore the asylum and discovers the ghosts of the patients who suffered there. You can also use local legends and folklore. If there's a story in your town about a witch who was burned at the stake, you could base your gothic horror story on that, with the witch's spirit coming back to seek revenge.
Look at the things kids are interested in, like toys or animals. For example, if you know kids like dinosaurs, you could create a story about a friendly dinosaur who is different from all the others. Maybe it can fly when the other dinosaurs can't.
Look around you. Real - life experiences can be a great source. For example, if you've seen an old couple holding hands in the park, you can base a story on that kind of long - lasting love. You can also think about different settings like a busy city street or a quiet beach. A story could start with two strangers meeting in one of those places.
To develop good ideas for fantasy short stories, think about the relationships between characters. For example, a friendship between a human and a magical being could be the basis of a story. The conflict could be that the magical being is hunted by other humans because of its power. Another way is to think about how magic affects the world. If magic is a finite resource, how does that change society? Does it lead to wars? Or does it create a caste system where those with magic are at the top? By exploring these aspects, you can come up with engaging and unique ideas for your fantasy short stories.
Read a lot of different fiction books. You can get inspiration from the plots, characters, and settings of other works. For example, if you read a book about a magical school, you might think about creating your own version with different rules and classes. Another way is to observe the world around you. Everyday situations, people's behavior, and social issues can all be sources of ideas. You could take a real - life event and add a fictional twist to it.
One way is to observe children. Notice what they like, what scares them, what makes them laugh. For example, if you see kids are fascinated by bugs, you can create a story about a bug's adventure. Another way is to use your own childhood memories. If you had a beloved pet as a child, you could write a story about a similar pet. Also, reading a lot of existing children's stories can give you inspiration.