Let's outline! Here are some questions you need answered. Go ahead and make a small file and answer them there now.

Ingredients for your story:

Who is it about?
Where is he/she? (City, country, home, school. Pick ONE location for now)
How old is he/she?
What time of day (year) is it?
When does this take place? (Past? Present? Future?)
Most importantly:
- What's wrong?
- What can he/she do to make it right?
- What's standing in his/her way?

BEFORE YOU START, please decide:
- What Point of View (POV): First (I), Second (You), Third (He/She) or Omniscient (He/She/They), Present, Past

If you don't know what this is, please brush up on it quickly. It won't take long. I promise.

Let's start with a short story! Onward to STEP 2!