How to Write a Short Story: A Guide for Homeschool Children

Have you ever made up a story in your head? Maybe you imagined a talking cat, a magical forest, or a thrilling treasure hunt. Stories are everywhere! Learning how to write a short story  lets your imagination run wild, helps you practice writing, and even makes it easier to express your thoughts and feelings.

The best part? Short stories don’t take forever to write! They’re perfect for homeschool projects because you can complete one in a day or two. In this guide, we’ll show you how to write a short story from start to finish—and have a lot of fun along the way.

Step 1: Finding Your Story Idea

Every great story starts with an idea. But where do ideas come from? The good news is, they’re everywhere. If you’re thinking about how to write a perfect short story, you’re at the right place!

​Start with Your Interests

Think about what excites you. Do you love short fiction? Animals? Magic? Superheroes?

The best stories come from things that interest you. If you write about something you love, the words will flow more easily.

Story Starters and Prompts

If you're not sure where to start, try using a fun writing prompt! Here are a few ideas for how to write a short story outline:

• "A cat who saves the day!" (Maybe the cat warns a family about danger or finds a lost object.)
• "A kid who finds a secret door in their house." (Where does it lead? Another world? A hidden treasure?)
• "A robot who wants to be human for a day." (What would the robot do first? Eat ice cream? Ride a bike?)

Pick a prompt that excites you, and let’s move on to the next step!

Step 2: Create Fun and Memorable Characters

Now that you have a story idea, it's time to create your main character. Every great story needs someone to root for!

Who is Your Main Character?

Is your main character a brave hero? A curious explorer? A talking dog? ​

Think about what makes them special. It is the most important step in how to write a great short story.

Ask Questions About Your Character

To make your character feel real, ask yourself:

• What do they like to eat? (Maybe your hero loves peanut butter sandwiches or only eats blue foods.)
• What is their biggest fear? (Are they afraid of spiders? Heights? Speaking in front of a crowd?)
• What is one cool thing they can do? (Can they talk to animals? Solve riddles really fast? Do amazing skateboard tricks?)

This could be a great start in the process of how to write a short story. If you’re looking for assistance, you can use online prompt generator tools to generate new ideas. ​

Draw Your Characters

A fun way to get to know your character is to draw them! You don’t have to be a great artist—just sketching a simple picture can help you picture them better in your mind.

Step 3: Plan a Simple Plot (The Adventure Map!)

A short story doesn’t need a complicated plot—just a fun problem and a solution. Think of it like a little adventure!

Basic Story Map:

1. Beginning: Introduce your character and their world.
2. Middle: Something exciting or challenging happens.
3. End: The problem is solved, or the adventure is completed.

Example Plot Outline:

• Beginning: A boy finds a treasure map in his backyard.
• Middle: He follows the map, facing challenges like tricky puzzles.
• End: He finds the treasure and shares it with his family.

Keeping it simple makes writing fun and easy. If you’re an aspiring writer, this guide will help you in learning how to write fiction stories.

Step 4: Build a Magical Setting

Now that you have your characters and a plot, where does your story take place? The setting is important in the process of how to write a short story because it helps bring your story to life.

Where Does the Story Happen?

Does your story take place in a dark forest, a spaceship, or a castle made of candy?

Use the Five Senses

Make your setting feel real by using the five senses:

• What does it look like? (Are there giant trees or glowing blue rivers?)
• What does it sound like? (Is it quiet, or can you hear birds chirping?)
• What does it smell like? (Maybe the air smells like salt by the ocean.)
• What does it taste like? (Is the air fresh with rain or sweet with wild berries?)
• What does it feel like? (Is the ground soft with moss or the air crisp and cool?)

Drawing the Setting

Try drawing a quick map of your story’s world. This helps you visualize where your characters will go.

Step 5: Write the First Draft

Now it’s time to start writing! This is the fun part in navigating through how to write a short story. Don’t worry about making it perfect yet.

Let the Words Flow

Write without stopping! Don’t worry about spelling or grammar mistakes—you can fix those later.

Set a Timer

Try writing for 15-20 minutes without distractions. You’ll be surprised at how much you can write!

Use Exciting Words

Make your story fun to read by using action words like:

• "The spaceship zoomed through the sky."
• "The wizard’s wand sparkled with blue light."
• "The puppy whizzed past the finish line."

These words make your story exciting. If you want to learn about paragraph writing, check out our paragraph writing for kids that teaches the basic skills of composition, with special emphasis on the thought processes necessary for clear, organized writing.

Helping Younger Students Write

For younger students who have a more difficult time getting their thoughts down on paper, it may help to have them “team” write with their parents. In this, they talk through ideas while the parent gently keeps them on track and directed. ​

The student can also dictate the story to the parent. Again, the teacher gives nudges and direction to help if they get bogged down by throwing out suggestions when appropriate. This exercise is fun and bonding. Team writing makes the student feel more successful and acts as a kind of apprenticeship for future writing.

Step 6: Make Your Story Shine (Editing Time!)

After you finish your first draft, it’s time to make it even better.

Read Aloud

Reading your story out loud helps you hear if anything sounds weird or awkward. It should be the most important step in the process of writing a short story. ​

Fix and Add More

Ask yourself:

• Is anything missing?
• Could the ending be more exciting?
• Do my characters have fun personalities?

Use a Checklist:

• Does the story have a beginning, middle, and end?
• Does the main character solve the problem?
• Are there any words I can make more exciting?

Suggestion: If you want to be a pro in writing essays and stories, you can get a Wordsmith book today from our homeschool resources.

Step 7: Add the Final Touches

Now that your story is polished, let’s make it look like a real book!

Draw a Cover

Design a fun cover with a title and picture.

Decorate the Pages

Add drawings, borders, or fun fonts to make your story extra special.

Title Ideas:

If you need help picking a title, try one like:

• "The Great Pirate Mystery"
• "Lila and the Magic Mirror"
• "The Secret Door Adventure"

Suggestion: In case you’re seeking some design guides, check out this read on book cover design tips.

Sharing the Story

Now that your short story is finished and you’ve got your answer on how to write a short story for school, share it with others!

Read to Family or Friends

Plan a special “Story Time” at home and read your story aloud.

Create a Story Book

Staple the pages together or put them in a binder to make your own book.

Story Showcase

Submit your story to a homeschool writing contest or share it at a co-op event. If you want your kids to be well-versed in writing short stories, you can check out our short story guides.

Fun Writing Challenges (For Extra Practice!)

Want to keep practicing your creative short story writing? Try these fun challenges:

30-Minute Story Challenge

Set a timer for 30 minutes and write a full short story!

Change the Ending

Rewrite a favorite story and give it a new twist.

Story Cube Game

Roll dice with different story elements (character, setting, problem) and create a brand-new adventure. ​

Final Thoughts

Writing short stories is a fantastic way to use your imagination and have fun. Whether your story is silly, magical, or adventurous, every story you write is special. There’s no right or wrong way to tell a story—just write what makes you happy! ​

If you’re thinking about how to write a short story, it's super easy. Start a story collection or keep a journal for new ideas. ​

Remember, your voice is unique, and the world is waiting to hear your stories. So grab your pencil and start writing—your next adventure is just a page away!

For more writing opportunities, start a story writing club! Our guide, Page Turners, will lead your group of writers through an eight-week creative writing course.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to write a short story?

The time it takes to write a story depends on the story’s length, complexity, and how much planning you do beforehand. A simple short story can be written in a single sitting, often within an hour or two, especially if you already have an idea in mind. It can be quite easy and doesn’t take a lot of time. ​

How to write short stories for beginners?

Writing a short story as a beginner is all about keeping it simple and fun! Begin with choosing a topic that excites you—whether it’s an adventure, a mystery, or a talking animal.
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Then, create a main character with a goal or problem to solve. Use basic sentence structures: introduce the character and setting, add a challenge or exciting event, and finish with a resolution. Don’t worry about writing perfectly on the first try. Just get your ideas down!

How to write a short story step by step?

Writing a short story is easy when you follow a step-by-step process. Start by finding an idea that excites you, whether it's a magical adventure, a funny talking animal, or a thrilling mystery. Next, create your main character by thinking about what makes them special and what problem or challenge they will face.
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Plan a simple plot using three elements of the process of how to write a short story: the beginning (introducing the character and setting), the middle (where something exciting or challenging happens), and the end (where the problem is solved or the adventure is completed). Bring your story to life by describing the setting using the five senses, then dive into writing your final draft.