Esther Chilton

Sometimes, it can be difficult to get the creative juices flowing and to think of a short story idea that will dazzle and entertain. Have you thought about starting with a title? A title can often spark an idea.

Let’s take the example of the title ‘A Fresh Start’. This conjures up an image of someone starting life anew. Perhaps it’s a wife who is leaving her husband after years of abuse. Or the story could be about a soldier leaving life in the army behind him or your story could feature a recovering alcoholic. See how the story is already starting to take shape.

Here are a few titles to stimulate the mind and to unleash those ideas:

• The Final Journey
• The Intruder
• Missing
• The Bag Lady
• Free
• The Relic
• Blue
• The Matchmaker
• Coming Home
• Two in the Morning