Strong writers often begin stories in the middle of the action. This technique grabs the reader’s attention immediately and pulls them into the story.
Today, you will write a short story that starts the exact moment something happens. Do not explain what happened before. Do not describe the setting first. Your job is to drop the reader into the action and let them figure things out as the story unfolds.
You are going to practice this technique by choosing ONE of the opening lines below. Then you are going to use this line as the starting point for your creative story.
- I couldn’t believe my eyes.
- The man locked eyes with mine and walked towards me.
- I froze when I heard my name called.
- I had ten seconds left, and the door still wouldn’t open.
- My legs burned as footsteps echoed behind me.
- This was not how the day was supposed to start.
Worksheet:
