Decide on characters that you want to have in your story. Out of these characters, choose who you want to be your main character, background characters, protagonist(s) and antagonist(s). Also choose a setting and time period for your story.
Find information concerning the setting, time period, and psyche of the characters you are to write about. Don M. Murray, author of "A Writer Teaches Writing," states that collecting information is one of the most important steps a writer has to take in order to create a story. By doing research, you are creating a realistic environment for your readers, which will help move the plot along. When you research different character traits, not only are you making your characters seem more human, but you are also creating potential personality conflicts that may help move your story forward.
Create a plot outline that will help you with the story-writing process. An outline can consist of notes, ripped pieces of paper, drawings or symbols. With an outline, you can organize your thoughts into a clear and cohesive picture. Include what your characters are planning to do, where they are located, what emotions drive a scene, what occurs in a scene, as well as how the problem started and how it ended. An outline shows your main ideas and subplots, so you can be as detailed or as brief as you like.
Determine how you will begin your story. Most beginning writers start with character background information so a reader gets acquainted with the characters and their inner workings. However, you do not necessarily need to do this. You can start by setting the mood: Describe the scenery, what a town looks like, or the peculiar quirks of the town and its people. You can also begin by immediately jumping into action. For example, if you're writing a children's book, you can begin with something like:
"Snuggles didn't like going to the groomer. In fact, she hated it! She hated baths, the loud noises, other dogs, just everything. She panicked, knowing that Jimmy was taking her there. As Jimmy walked her closer to the door, she jumped backward, breaking her leash. She was free! Frantically, she ran across the street, dodging traffic, nearly getting struck by a car. Jimmy called after her, tears streaming down his face. Snuggles wanted to comfort him but she knew that if she went back, she would get scolded and then taken to the groomer. She just kept running until she reached a place she didn't recognize..."
Throwing a reader directly into the action sets the tone of the story and catches the reader, a goal writers should strive to achieve. By setting the tone, you are indicating the rising action or the problem of the story.
Work on solving the problem you have created. The action or problem is the middle of the story. Here, you can determine the different types of emotions specific characters are going through, for example, confusion, fear, anger or sadness. Determine what the characters are going to do to work on resolving these issues, as well as how the problems affects the characters. For an example, your middle section could sound like this:
"Snuggles now felt scared and alone. There were so many things that were not familiar. The streets were littered, the water was brown and the homes took on such a sad look that they looked like they would sob any minute. Behind her, she felt a breeze which caused her to turn around with a jerk. 'Jimmy?' she thought to herself. Jimmy wasn't there. She whimpered, tucking her tail between her legs and sniffed the air. She needed to be brave because she did not want to be a lost dog. As she sniffed the air, a familiar scent of syrup from the waffle house she and Jimmy walked by earlier filled the air..."
Once you have figured out how to help a situation, you can create your ending.
Create the conclusion of your story. In your story, the ending could be the defeat and celebration of a monster, a kiss between a prince and a princess, a happy reunion, or the sad burial of a beloved matriarch. The conclusion resolves all the problems in your story and ensures that your issue comes to rest. The ending can be happy or sad depending on the tone of your tale. For example:
"Snuggles kept sniffing the air, walking quickly toward the waffle house. As the smell got stronger, her pace picked up speed. Soon, all the streets started to look familiar. Yards were greener, streets cleaner, and the houses all looked as if they were smiling, welcoming her home. Finally, she saw Jimmy, crying to a policeman. She ran toward them, barking and yipping excitedly until she was safe in Jimmy's arms, licking away his tears. Jimmy hugged Snuggles and she couldn't keep her body from wiggling with joy. 'I promise to never run away again,' Snuggles said to herself. 'I need to be brave. I found my way home and survived, so I can survive the groomer."
Proofread and edit your story until you are fully happy with the outcome. Share your tale with family and friends.