Now it's time to write a first draft. A first draft is where you put your ideas into sentences and paragraphs.

Here are some tips that will help you write a first draft of your story.

• Work in a place where you can concentrate without distractions.

• Read your prewriting ideas carefully then begin your draft while the ideas are clear in your mind.

• Think carefully about your opening. This is where you introduce the characters, describe the setting and mood, and indicate what the problem or conflict in the story will be.

• Introduce your main characters as soon as possible. Make sure their actions, dialogue, and appearance are appropriate for your chosen story type. For example, characters in a historical fiction story need to be act, talk, and dress accurately for the time and place of the story.

• If the setting is important, add more details about it as your story progresses.

• Make sure the setting is appropriate for your chosen story type. For example, an adventure story about lost hikers is better set in the mountains than in a city.

• Everything in your story must lead up to the turning point or climax. If you keep this in mind while you develop your characters, setting, and plot, then your dialogue and narration will build towards the climax.

• Your story can have a happy ending, or a not-so-happy ending. Either way, it should end when the conflict or problem has been resolved. Don’t drag it out!

• Let your ideas flow naturally and keep writing. Don’t stop to evaluate your work.

• Don’t worry about order. You can move words, sentences, and even paragraphs later.

• After you’ve finished writing the first draft, set it aside for a few days.

When you are finished your draft submit it under the drop-box: Short Story Draft 

Once your teacher has marked your draft and given you some feedback on suggestions for revising in your template you can continue on the writing process.

Remember your writing targets:

Writing Targets:

• By the end of this workshop you will have incorporated the following into your piece:

  • A clear setting
  • Well developed characters
  • Focus/Development of ideas
  • A strong plot with a beginning, rising action, climax, falling action and conclusion.
  • A short story with a clear theme focused on bravery
  • Use of figurative language devices