How to Start Writing Your First Short Story

(Even If You’re Scared)

That blank page can be terrifying. You have ideas swirling in your head, but the moment you sit down to write, doubt creeps in. What if it’s not good enough? What if you don’t know how to start?

Here’s the truth: every writer faces this fear. Even Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Wole Soyinka, and Sefi Atta started with a first story. The difference? They wrote it anyway.

Step 1: Start Small (Really Small)

Don’t aim for a masterpiece. Your first story doesn’t need to be 20 pages. Start with 1,000-1,500 words—that’s about 3-4 pages. Think of it as a snapshot, not a novel.

Try this: Write about a single moment. A conversation. A decision. An encounter at the market. Keep it simple.

Step 2: Use What You Know

Your life is full of story material. That argument you overheard on the bus. Your grandmother’s cooking rituals. The street vendor who always remembers your name.

Start with something familiar, then ask “What if?” What if the vendor was hiding a secret? What if that argument led to something unexpected?

Step 3: Follow This Simple Structure

Every story needs three things:

Beginning: Introduce your character and their world
Middle: Something happens that disrupts their world
End: Show how things have changed

Example: A young woman prepares for her traditional wedding (beginning), but discovers her fiancé has been lying about his job (middle), and she must decide whether to go through with the ceremony (end).

Step 4: Write Badly First

This is crucial. Your first draft will not be perfect. It shouldn’t be. Give yourself permission to write badly. Just get the story down.

As Chimamanda says, “The first draft is you telling yourself the story.”

Step 5: Set Tiny Goals

Don’t say “I’ll finish the story today.” Instead:

Monday: Write the opening scene (200 words)
Tuesday: Develop your character (300 words)
Wednesday: Create the conflict (400 words)
Thursday: Write the ending (300 words)
Friday: Rest
Weekend: Revise

Breaking it down makes it less scary.

Step 6: Ignore Your Inner Critic

That voice saying “This is terrible” or “Who will read this?” Tell it to be quiet. You can listen to it later during editing. Right now, your only job is to write.

Your First Assignment

Set a timer for 15 minutes and write about: “A character receives unexpected news at the bus stop.”

Don’t overthink it. Don’t edit. Just write and see where it takes you.

Remember: Don’t forget that you’re not aiming for perfection in the first draft. You just need to write something.

The BuildWithWords Academy