Inspiration for writing short stories can come from anywhere. And everywhere. Yes, that’s broad advice, but it’s true. Take it from me: a self-published author who recently released a collection of heartfelt and heartbreaking short stories. My book is called Thirteen Emotions and it stays extremely true to its name. Moving from one emotion to the next, each fictional tale explores familiar feelings like fear, lust, love, rage, sorrow.

Writing short stories is an art that demands precision and creativity. After all, the amount of words you can use is almost as cinching as a vintage corset. These kitten-heel stories allow authors to explore themes and characters in a condensed format. Each word must carry weight, as the limited space necessitates vivid imagery and engaging plots that captivate readers quickly. The challenge lies in crafting a complete narrative arc within just a few pages, often requiring intricate character development and a compelling twist to leave a lasting impression.

Short stories offer a small catwalk for experimentation, where writers can strut with different styles and tones, ultimately honing their skills for longer works while providing readers with a speedy yet satisfying literary escape.

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When I first began gathering inspiration for writing short stories, I had no idea it would turn into a book. Well, I thought about them becoming a coffee table book, but that was a little outrageous. I would have needed to gather imagery and find a different printing company and… well, it would have been a lot more difficult that self-publishing a sleek and stylish paperback.

Inspiration for Writing Short Stories from a Self-Published Author

Draw from your own experiences

The first short story I wrote was about the night my dad passed. It was difficult, heartbreaking, and made me cry more than once while writing and editing it. However, it was also extremely cathartic. Getting those feelings out of my heart and onto the page was an emotional release that I probably didn’t fully realize I needed until I did it. To this day, I feel like it’s once of my best stories. You can hear me read a snippet of it at Rebecca Molayem Gallery in Los Angeles here.

For the most part, drawing inspiration from my own experiences serves as the backbone of my short stories, allowing me to infuse authenticity into my characters and plots. Each moment—joyful or challenging—carries a unique lesson that shapes my storytelling. By weaving elements from personal relationships, travels, and unexpected encounters, I can create relatable narratives that resonate with readers. The emotions I’ve navigated, whether they stem from love or loss, become the rich fabric that connects my stories to universal themes.

This personal touch not only enriches my writing but also invites readers to reflect on their own journeys, fostering a deeper connection with the tales I tell.

Look to the internet for funny or shocking tales

Social media can be soul-sucking. But it can also be helpful. Years ago, while scrolling through Twitter, I came across a post about young adults who cut their father off when they were teens, only to reach back out after he died and they discovered he was rich. It was a short and shocking tale, but it got me thinking: why did they cut him off? How did he get rich? Did he have a new family? Was their mother in the picture? Of course, I didn’t have any of these answers IRL. So, I made up my own.

The inspiration for my short story The Million-Dollar Guilt Trip stemmed from reading that tweet and filling in the gaps in the story to create my own fictional explanation of what I’d read.

Social media serves as an endless wellspring of inspiration for writing short stories, offering a diverse tapestry of human experiences, emotions, and interactions. The snippets of life shared by individuals around the globe invite writers to explore unique narratives that reflect the complexities of modern society. Observing trends, conversations, and even fleeting moments captured in posts can ignite fresh ideas, allowing authors to weave relatable characters and plots that resonate with a broad audience. Additionally, the immediacy of social media fosters a dialogue that can spark new perspectives, ultimately enriching the storytelling process and enabling writers to craft engaging and timely narratives.

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Write what you’d want to read about

What kind of stories do you want to write about? Do they exist? Why not? And if they don’t, why don’t you write them? I think a lot of the time writers can get mixed up with writing stories that they think other people want to read. Perhaps creating characters who don’t resonate with them or making up scenarios that don’t make sense, all to please other people. Well, why not start with yourself? If you enjoy what you’re writing and you’re passionate about it, chances are someone else is going to be, too.

Writing short stories that I want to read is an exhilarating experience. Truly. Each tale allows for a concentrated burst of creativity, where characters can leap off the page and plots can twist in unexpected ways. I find joy in crafting narratives that explore the complexities of relationships, sprinkle in a bit of humour, and ultimately lead to satisfying conclusions. Whether it’s a quirky encounter at a coffee shop (like in Crossed in Love) or an unexpected adventure during a mundane errand, these snapshots of life invite my readers to reflect on their own experiences while escaping into new, vibrant worlds. There's something magical about the brevity of short stories, where every word counts and surprises linger long after the last sentence is read.

Here are a few prompts to help with women’s fiction short story inspiration:

• Four college friends come together years after graduation to relive their school days and discover that each of them is at a pivotal time in their life, inspiring them to move forward and work toward each of their goals.

• A woman finds a letter in a box of her grandmother’s belongings that changes the way she views her family. She goes on a journey to discover what this new information means.

• Detail the mundane experience of a busy and exhausted mother who spontaneously decides to buy a ticket to a tropical resort for a solo vacation. She rediscovers herself and who she is at her core, away from the chaos of her family life.

• A wedding planner who has given up on finding love in her life ends up with the task of planning a wedding for a super high profile celebrity couple. What she discovers about love in the spotlight is enough to make her forget marriage entirely, until the normal, down-to-earth brother of the bride steps into the picture.

• After finding and losing success in the big city, a woman returns to her hometown and rediscovers (and perhaps even appreciates) life at a slower pace.

And here’s one that’s a little more detailed:

• In the quaint town of Maplewood, three women find their lives intertwined after a chance encounter at a local art exhibit. Claire, a struggling artist chasing her dreams, discovers an unexpected mentor in the form of the enigmatic and seasoned painter, Evelyn. Meanwhile, single mother Sarah is navigating the complexities of balancing work and family while searching for her true passion. As each woman faces her own battles of self-discovery, they forge a bond that challenges their perceptions of success, love, and what it truly means to be fulfilled. With heartfelt moments, humour, and a sprinkle of romance, this short story could explore the transformative power of friendship and the art of embracing life’s unexpected detours.

For more genres and short story prompts, check out this post.

Ultimately, short story inspiration can pop into your mind anytime: after seeing an amazing movie or TV show, re-reading a favourite book from the early aughts, scrolling through social media, people watching at the park.

If you’re looking for more inspiration for writing short stories, get a copy of Thirteen Emotions. I’d love to know what you think after reading it, so make sure to review & comment on Amazon, Goodreads, or here on this post.

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