A common phrase among writers is “write about what you know.” Although this is good advice, it is very common for writers to have a “block”- not be able to come up with an idea. Here are just a few suggestions of things to get you started. Once the story starts flowing you’ll have no trouble carrying it through. Write about:

• A particular family tradition.
• A family member.
• An important object (a ring, a special key, a vase, a favorite toy)
• A special place: a treehouse, a fort, a special spot under a bridge, etc. Did something exciting or important happen here?
• Best friend. What kinds of things do you do together. Relate an adventure you shared.
• Favorite pet.
• An awful haircut.
• An embarrassing experience.
• Your brother or sister.
• An interesting character. (a neighbor, a lunch lady, a grandparent, or aunt)
• A special event: Christmas in Florida, your Bar mitzvah, a hockey game, the school play, etc.
• Something or someone you’re afraid of.
• Your favorite thing in the world to do.
• A traumatic experience: a trip, an injury, death, being lost, etc.
• A family story passed down- about your immediate family or something that happened in the past to a relative.

Remember, anything you write about can be interesting if you use lots of detail, descriptive words, and make the reader part of the story!

Here are a few story starter ideas from Young Writers Workshop.
Let your imagination flow and complete the story!

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