Just Start Writing
Many people would like to write a story... someday.
They have ideas. They notice interesting people. They remember meaningful experiences. They imagine scenes, conversations, and characters.
But then doubt creeps in.
I’m not a writer.
I wouldn’t know where to begin.
Someone else could do this better.
What if it isn’t good enough?
Those thoughts have stopped countless stories before they were ever written!
The truth is that every story begins the same way: with someone willing to start.
Not someone who knows exactly how the story ends.
Not someone who is confident every sentence will be perfect.
Not someone with years of experience.
Just someone willing to write the first paragraph.
If you’ve been thinking about writing fiction, give yourself permission to begin.
Start with a character.
Start with a question.
Start with a moment that won’t leave your mind.
Don’t worry about whether it’s brilliant. Don’t worry about whether anyone will publish it. Don’t even worry about whether you’ll finish it today.
Just start.
One of the great gifts of short fiction is that it doesn’t require an enormous commitment. A short story can grow from a single conversation, a difficult choice, an unexpected act of kindness, or a moment when someone’s life changes in a small but meaningful way.
Some of the most memorable stories are not about extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. They are about ordinary people navigating faith, family, friendship, disappointment, hope, forgiveness, and grace.
The world needs more of those stories and there is a good chance that one of them belongs to you!
At Still Small Stories, we believe fiction can encourage, inspire, comfort, and help readers see themselves and others more clearly. We also believe there are talented writers who have not yet discovered what they are capable of creating.
We think you might be one of them!
We are currently accepting submissions through August 15, and we’d love to read your story. We’re already excited about many of the stories taking shape for our fall publications, and we’d love to see what you’re working on.
Open a blank page.
Write the first sentence.
Then the second.
See where the story takes you.
It just might surprise you.