Purr

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with short story ideas. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

The CEO of a million dollar company is murdered, and there is no witness-except for his cat. Now, the race is on to gather evidence, decipher the clues and find out who killed him. As details are revealed piece by piece, it becomes apparent that the murdered CEO is actually a nice guy, with no enemies who had enough motives to have him killed...

Underground City

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with short story ideas. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

Knowing that an alien invasion is at hand, an engineer begins work on an underground city. He was so serious with it that it became his life mission. 30 years passed and he had a functional city, very basic- providing only shelter and clean water- but still functional. However, no aliens came to invade.

Disillusioned, he stopped working on the city and simply lived a quiet life on the mountains...

The Most Successful Short Stories

A story, no matter how bizarre, has a chance of being read and accepted by certain demographics. Remember this, the readers you want to read your story might not like it, but surely, there are people who will appreciate it, even if you don't know it.

However, to be read by many people (not just a certain demographic), you have to look at what is being widely read and not and write a story based on them. Stories such as:

Happy Chip

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with short story ideas. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

In the future, engineers and scientists have developed a tool for people to control their own emotions. This is done by embedding a special chip to a baby upon birth. When they grow, they'll have the ability to control how they feel.

The Anatomy of a Successful Short Story

How a short story’s success is measured is defined by the person who wrote it. I could write a story with the intention of selling it. In this case, I would rate the success of my short story based on how many dollars I have in my pocket from the sales of my literature. On the other hand, if I was a Grandfather who wrote a short story simply to make my grandchildren smile, then the rate by which I would measure my story’s success is based on how big and how inquisitive their eyes become when they read it.

These measurements are connected- for how can you sell or capture a reader’s imagination if your story isn’t good? Here are some things to remember for your short stories to be successful.

1. Relatable Characters

The characters always come first. No reader would read a story when he or she could not relate to a character. A reader must have somebody to root for; somebody they can associate with.

2. Enemy

No story would be worth reading if the protagonists simply get what they want. They need to have nemeses, people who would want nothing but to see them fail. They can be subtle or outlandish evils. Perhaps they don’t need to be evil at all. They just need to be people who want to achieve their own goals, which just happen to go opposite of your main hero’s goal.

3. Short Timeline

This is why they are called “short stories.” The events in your story must happen on a short time span only, a few moments on your characters’ lives.

4. Intriguing Ending

The ending’s goal depends on you. Do you want to close the entire story? Do you want the reader to think more? Do you want them to read the story again? Do you want to keep them guessing?

Your ending doesn’t necessarily have to be a happy one- heck, it need not be an ending at all; it could be just a transition, where you know the protagonists will have a better time adjusting to. For the ending, I would suggest an ending where there is much more to do, and the characters know that their journey is not yet finished.

This way, I know where to pick up if I decide to write a sequel. It also has a bonus of letting the reader know that the characters are alive and well- getting through life- just like them.

One Death, A Million Lives

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with short story ideas. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

Roberto was killed in an accident one Tuesday morning on the way to the office. Because of this, his office mates and those who worked with him in the past were filled with rage and shock at his sudden  passing. After a period of grieving, they all came back to their normal lives. Then something happens that rocks their world.

Town Mayor

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with short story ideas. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

A man mysteriously disappears after a heated confrontation with the mayor in front of a whole town. Sensing that the public will label him a suspect, the mayor commits suicide.

The Hanger:

How will the two know that the town just doesn't care?

Writing Tip: Show, Don't Tell. Most of the Time

It has been taught in countless seminars and Story Writing Basics classes, yet many people seem to forget it: Show, Don't Tell. After all, it is easier to just tell readers that a character "smells bad" than "People wince and wrinkle their noses when Jose walks by."

It is a good advice, tried and tested for decades and decades. However, to have a good story, you have to know when to show and when to tell. Just as it is boring to "tell," it is as excruciating to read many words just to know that a person is cruel.

Everything in life, including short story writing, is about balance. Finding just the right time to describe something as an author is as effective as "showing."

In stories where you, as an author, have gathered enough momentum for narration, it is best to continue telling than abruptly stop to "show." It will only lead to distraction by the audience and unnecessarily breaking off a well-gathered momentum.

Experience will let you know when to show or tell, but for now, don't be fooled by the absolution implied by the "show, don't tell" rule. Sometimes, telling is the best way to show.

Short Story Writing Tip: Have an Outline

Yes, writing outlines is boring. It forces you to think ahead instead of meticulously writing down everything about a scenario, or what the characters feel, or the atmosphere of the scene.

Do you want to know why you feel that way? Because you don't want to advance your story. Or at least not yet. You want to dwell on the mundane details first: maybe put some flowers on the table of a restaurant? Maybe describe a largely unnecessary character a little bit more?

Pizza Love

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with short story ideas. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

As a Pizza delivery man, Peter has seen many irate customers when he delivers a pizza late. Most if the time, he endures curses, glares and threats of having him fired from his job. Peter simply shrugs these off, knowing that jobs are plentiful for low-level wage income earners like him.

Corruption Kills

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with short story ideas. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

President Jeremy Smith isn't the most honest public official. He blatantly steals from the public funds and lavishes his friends with expensive gifts while his people starves. He helped his sons and daughters get public office positions so that they, too, can get rich off the people's coffers.

Short Story Tip: How to Measure your Words

A good short story is exactly that: short- an array of emotions, action and character complexity wrapped into a thousand-or-two word narrative.

Short but powerful words grip readers by the throat and makes them interested enough to read the next sentence to find out what happens next. Following a strict word count requirement forces you, the storyteller, to be more creative and view your piece with a fresh set of eyes.

Writer’s Block: Is It a Myth?

Last week, I decided to try my hand on SEO writing. I did it 6 months ago and not once did I like it. Nevertheless, since I needed some extra cash, I went ahead and applied for a writing site. I got accepted this week. I read the guidelines from the site and one particular item caught my eye:

“Writer’s block is a myth. Feeling lazy is human. Take a short break if you cannot squeeze ideas out of your tired system.”

Swashbuckle's Treasure

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with ideas to write as a short story/novel/script/whatever. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

A renowned treasure hunter, Billy Hunt had been through everything: swamps, forests, caves, and mountain peaks. He befriended those he could along the way to reach his goals, including the remnants of the Inca Indians in South America, the indigenous tribes in Brazil, the Aetas of the Philippines. In 35 years as a treasure hunter, Billy feared nothing. All of that is about to change.

Me & The Martian

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with ideas to write as a short story/novel/script/whatever. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

A Martian had come to your office to warn you of an impending giant rodent attack. He said it was only a matter of time before the swarm of the overgrown rats finish off the last Martian and turn its attention to Earth.

Everybody laughed it off, even though upon inspection the Martian wasn’t your officemate and resident prankster Jeffrey wearing a mask. In fact, Jeffrey was right beside you when the Martian appeared. Everybody got back to work except you, because for some reason the Martian thought you would believe his story. You ignored him for the rest of the day.

Writing Tip: Make Little Attempt to Edit While Writing

Best-selling author Bo Sanchez said it best in one interview, “I write liberally, I edit conservatively.” This should be the code all writers live by. Writing liberally means not caring about the rhetoric or grammar, rather, writing as if no one is holding you back except the ink on your pen and the fire in your heart.

Fish Gone Cold

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with ideas to write as a short story/novel/script/whatever. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

Upon visiting an old junk shop, Jimmy the accordion player stumbles upon an old fishbowl and a note. The note says:

Fish gone cold

Fish gone gold

A Thousand Lakes

A Single Way

Having piqued his curiosity, Jimmy takes the fishbowl and puts the note in his pocket. When he gets home, he shows the note to his wife and cleans the bowl before putting it on the table.

Writing Tip: How To Find a Fresh Voice

For writers, the “comfortable rut” is like a having a girlfriend (or boyfriend) who is too perfect. Sure, you’re content, sure they take care of your needs, but you know that something is not right. Deep down, you know trouble is just waiting for that perfect timing to launch its ugly face in front of you.

Okay, I still have to work on my analogies, but you get the point, right?

What, you may ask, is my problem with being comfortable? Well, nothing in general, really. In almost all aspects of life, being comfortable is a very nice thing. I won't mind living in a big house, with two dozen cars and supermodels throwing rose petals at my feet.

But I’m not talking about that kind of comfort. I’m talking about Writer’s Comfort. Writer’s Comfort is when you tell stories after stories from a single standpoint. Imagine talking about the lives of prostitutes from a cab driver’s point of view, and then in your next story, the plight of children from a cab driver’s point of view again, and so on and so forth. Your story becomes a tired version of the same thing. You may do it because you like that point of view and you’re “comfortable” with it, but that’s where the “rut” comes from.

Stay Motivated: 2 Simple Ideas to Keep You Writing

Surely you've come across a great idea at least once in your life. An idea so powerful, so picturesque, that you feel that this idea will catapult you into writing success.

Just as sure, that idea faded as time went by. I should know, it happened to me many times already, over and over. So how do you seize that idea and keep it fresh? How do you keep that pen moving or that typewriter (what, we're not in the 90's?) typewriting?

Blue Skin Disorder

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with ideas to write as a short story/novel/script/whatever. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

Robert is a medical researcher trying to find a cure for a rare disease called Blue Skin Disorder, characterized by a bluish mottling of the skin, usually on the legs. He travels far and wide to find a cure, or else his family, held hostage by a prominent clan in Nigeria, will die.

Really Simple Writing Tip: Always Carry a Notebook and a Pen

Has it ever happened to you? On your way to the grocery store, while walking merrily and taking the sights and smell of early morning air, that an idea suddenly hit you:

What would happen if a Giant Robot suddenly started terrorizing this town on a fine day like this one? What would Mr. Woods, the baker, do? Or good old Mrs. Smith? Would I run back to my house or would I run to my girlfriend’s house?

Sengoku Ninja

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with ideas to write as a short story/novel/script/whatever. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

A research expedition recovers the body of a frozen ninja from the 1400’s. It was brought into a research laboratory to be studied and scrutinized. With it, scientists wanted to know how the Japanese people lived during the Sengoku Period, how they dressed and what kind of conditions their bodies were in.

Beat Writer’s Block: Three Surefire Steps to get out of slump

You’ve been there, staring blankly into an empty Word document, the sea of white seemingly an insurmountable foe, mocking you, laughing at you, daring you to write something. Anything. Yet for some reason you can’t, you call it Writer’s block or a case of laziness. Either way, that blank document remains empty. And it continues to snicker, howling with laughter, as if saying: I knew you couldn’t do it.

Let's Write a Short Story

Note: This will be a long term project for this blog. I'm going to attempt to write a short story and comment on it. Hopefully I can finish this, barring important projects or whatnot.

Start with an object. It doesn't have to be beautiful yet. Just start with something. Anything.

A man walks by the road, looking suspiciously left and right.

Don't worry about the grammar. Everybody makes mistakes sometimes. You can edit them out later. Just write the ideas and scenarios that come to your mind right now.

Afterlife

Note: This blog serves to help you in coming up with ideas to write as a short story/novel/script/whatever. Please note that some of the ideas in the blog are downright silly and not meant to be taken as is. You can get the gist of the entry and alter it any way you want, for any purpose whatsoever.

The Plot:

Sophia died in her sleep after a night of drinking with her buddies. It was tragic; one night she laughed like there was no tomorrow, the next day, well, there was no tomorrow for her.

While her family and friends grieve her passing, Sophia found herself roaming around her house, wondering how she died and not knowing how to proceed from there. What’s more, a nasty hangover carried over from last night lingered with her.

After a day of wandering around, Sophia found that almost everything she felt when she was alive was still with her. She was still jealous of her friend who had everything: money, fame and fortune; she was still very much in love with her boyfriend; most of all, she was still holding on to the fact that she was due for promotion next week.

The Hanger:

The story will revolve around Sophia holding on to whatever humanity she has left, desperately clinging to the feelings when she was alive. In the end, she had to find closure to all these feelings, she needed to let go so she could move on.

The Twist:

The hangover will never go away, even after she moves on. It turns out souls get to carry one thing to the afterlife to remind them of their lives before their deaths. They don’t get to choose, and Sophia’s was her hangover, because in her life, she was happiest when she was drinking with her buddies.