One idea is to start with an interesting character. For example, a mysterious old wizard. His appearance and his strange habits can immediately draw readers in. Another idea is to create a unique setting like a floating island in the sky full of magical creatures. This kind of setting can provide a lot of opportunities for adventure and discovery. Also, a strong conflict is essential. Maybe the wizard is trying to protect the floating island from an evil force that wants to steal its magic.
One idea could be a story about a cursed antique mirror. Every time someone looks into it, they see a distorted version of themselves that slowly starts to take over their body. Another idea is a horror story set in an old asylum. The patients there were experimented on in cruel ways, and now their tortured spirits haunt the place. Or, a story about a small town where every night at midnight, all the dolls in people's houses come to life and start to cause chaos.
Read a lot. By reading different kinds of narrative stories, you can get inspiration. For example, if you read a mystery story, you might get an idea for a similar plot structure in your own story. Another way is to observe the world around you. People's behavior, conversations, and even the scenery can give you ideas. Just like seeing a beautiful sunset might inspire you to create a story about a magical land where the sunsets have special powers.
Characters, plot and setting are key elements. Characters should be relatable or at least interesting. The plot should have conflict, like a hero fighting against a villain. In 'The Hunger Games', Katniss has to fight against the Capitol. The setting can create the mood. A spooky old mansion in a horror story sets a scary mood.
For a memorable surprise attack in a fictional story, consider the element of time manipulation. If time - travel is part of the story, the attackers could come from a different time period, completely unexpected by the defenders. Another aspect could be the use of a previously unmentioned weapon or ability. For example, in a story about superheroes, a hero could suddenly reveal a new power during an attack. The element of surprise also comes from the scale of the attack. A small group of attackers could seem harmless at first, but then they use a device or power that multiplies their strength exponentially, overwhelming the enemy in an instant.
One characteristic is the ability to convey a strong theme or message in a short space. In 'The Lottery', it makes us question the blind following of traditions. Another is the use of vivid language. Stories like 'A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings' use descriptive words to create a strange and fascinating world. And most good short narrative stories have a satisfying or thought - provoking ending that stays with the reader.
Love and relationships are very common. Stories often revolve around the beginning, middle, and end of a romantic relationship or a deep friendship. Another common one is the hero's journey, where a character goes through challenges and emerges transformed. Revenge is also a frequent narrative idea, with a character seeking retribution for a wrong done to them.
One popular narrative bedtime story is 'The Little Prince'. It tells the story of a young prince who travels from planet to planet, meeting various strange and interesting characters. Another is 'Goodnight Moon', a simple yet soothing story about a bunny saying goodnight to everything in its room. 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' is also great. It follows Alice as she falls down a rabbit hole into a fantastical world full of curious creatures and absurd situations.
A good personal narrative story often has a clear and engaging plot. It should have a beginning that grabs the reader's attention, like starting with an interesting event or a thought - provoking statement. For example, starting with 'I'll never forget the day I got lost in the big city.' Also, it needs strong characters, which in a personal narrative are usually the author themselves and the people they interact with. These characters should be well - developed, showing their emotions, motives, and personalities. And it should have a theme that the reader can relate to, such as growth, friendship, or facing challenges.
To write good narrative stories, first, think of a great idea. Then, create interesting characters. After that, plan a clear plot. For example, start with an inciting incident.