Q&A for How to Begin a Short Story

Start on a hook. Something that will make the reader interested and will attract them to read more. For example, say something like "I never meant to do it. It just happened." It should only let a little glimpse of what is going to be in your story.

Yes. This is a common way to begin a story.

If I were to write about virtual reality it would most likely start with something like, "She rubbed her eyes wearily, wondering if life would ever be to normal again." As the story is about virtual reality, she is rubbing her eyes as though they are sore from overuse. She is also wondering if life will ever be "normal" again, which could mean either that this story is about the future and how virtual reality affects her life, or that she simply wishes to go back to a different way of living. As the writer, you will have to determine what "normal" means to her.

First, write your story completely freely with as many words as you need. Don't even think about the word limit when you're starting out. When you're done with your "rough" story, then start editing/cutting out words and unnecessary scenes.

Not at the very beginning. You should have some kind of interesting scene to start off with in your story to hook the reader's attention. After that, you gradually start introducing your characters.

When writing a short story, consider the very basics - your protagonist and antagonist, the conflict, the basic plot structure, etc. For plot structure, find something you want to write about, and put together scenes and actions throughout your plot arc. Remember that a good protagonist is not a perfect one, and a good conflict has twists and turns.

Here are a few ideas that may get your story going a little more: 1. Radha padded over to the window, squinting against the glare. The contrast was sharp in the faint glow of moonlight on the porch, but not so much so that she could not see who was behind the wheel. 2. Radha stopped dead in her tracks, glued to the street in shock. She barely registered the loud blare of a siren over the roaring of the engine in her face.