StoryStarters [Kindle Edition]

Clifford Fryman (Author)

Book Description

Muses never play nice. They torment a writer with ideas when there is no time to write and refuse to cooperate when in front of a blank screen. It's enough to make a writer pound their head on their keyboard. But even the most fickle of muses can be thrown into a creative frenzy with StoryStarters prompts - a handful of words to inspire thousands more. Over 1,000 prompts to tickle your muse.

Product Details

• File Size: 236 KB
• Print Length: 117 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Tin Palace Press (April 29, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004YQCKUY
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,644 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource for getting your creativity flowing July 31, 2011

By V. Lohr

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

After entertaining delusions of grandeur that I could possibly be a writer, I sat down a couple of weeks ago attempting to bring something onto paper, just to realize that I had no idea where to begin. After browsing amazon for a bit and looking at a variety of books containing Story prompts, I decided to purchase this nifty little resource. I figured that even if this wasn't what I needed - 99 cents is not too big a sacrifice.

I absolutely love this collection! The author has amassed a great variety of story starters - not lame journal prompts (i.e., "Tell about a time when...") but actually possible beginning sentences to be used as story openers. There are examples for aspiring writers of every possible genre, leaving the door wide open to the writer's imagination. There are prompts that are suspenseful, adventurous, sci-fi, mystical, romantic, humorous, etc. I will provide some examples in order to illustrate this point:

-- "Had he known it was the last time he'd see the sun set, he may have taken the time to appreciate it."
-- "Within the closet were the remnants of his childhood - trivial items that painted a picture of happiness and hid the horrors."
-- "The object rested on the table in front of him. He had no clue how it found its way back to him. He did know it wasn't good."
-- "The elevator stopped. He debated pushing the alarm when it shook and dropped at a breakneck speed.
-- "The jungle closed in on him as he realized he was lost within its vast expanse."
-- "Santa wasn't what we had expected. The sleigh was a clunker, the reindeer were vicious, and Santa's breath smelled vile.

Now just imagine there being 1,000 of these! The potential is endless and there is something for everyone....

One thing that may be perhaps a little bit frustrating for some readers is that the story starters are not organized into categories, but presented in a non-particular order. The way I circumvented this conundrum is by going through the entire e-book and copying down examples that held potential for my own purposes onto paper.

If you are experiencing a writer's block or just don't know where to start, I highly recommend this e-book! Read more ›

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Most useful collection November 7, 2011

By WriterGirl VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

The first reviewer was right on. This is a useable collection of sentences that not only could start a story but also stimulate story ideas. If you suffer from writer's block, this is a good way to rejuvenate your mind. Highly recommended.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A life saver.. March 9, 2012

By Jason Hyde

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

One of the better buys I've ever grabbed. Just paging through the multitude of options gave me a spark. I had been struggling for WEEKS to figure out how the right introduction and opening line to start my novel when most of the rest of it was already done. In this book I found a line that with a bit of tweaking was absolutely perfect.

Don't look at this book like you're lifting the line. Look at it like a launchpad that might strike the chord you've been needing.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth The Price January 17, 2012

By Doug Dandridge

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I consider myself a good writer. My only real weakness is in formulating that start, the hook, the first couple of sentences that draw the reader in. This is wonderful book written by someone who does not have that problem. While I probably wont use any of the thousand or so one to three sentence starters verbatim, I am sure I will use some of them with modification. And they gave me a number of new ideas for novels and shorts, not that I have a problem with those. For 99 cents its a bargain, especially for the science fiction or horror writer.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great fantasy, sci fi, horror, and mystery prompts March 31, 2013

By L. A. Allen

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Although it doesn't say so in the description, the majority of these story starters have a macabre feel. The book would probably less useful if you're looking to write the "great American novel" or literary fiction. I'm interested in novel writing and have found that several different starters can be used within the same work of fiction to ignite some sub-plots. Tweak them to make them your own. Great job, Mr. Fryman, and thank you!

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars good for the price of FREE July 4, 2012

By writechick

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a writer and teacher, I'm always on the lookout for story ideas. This one is decent. I found a few intriguing story starts, maybe one or two every 4th page or so. Worth the free download

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Get Those Creative Juices Flowing February 5, 2012

By JC Rosen

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

These writing prompts are just a handful of words, but they can inspire thousands. I've used Clifford Fryman's STORYSTARTERS as a first, last, anywhere line in my flash fiction. They've brought me ideas for a multitude of genres, from slice of life to paranormal and cyberpunk. One even inspired a sci fi novel. They never fail to spark at least one story idea.

You don't need to be a blocked writer to appreciate STORYSTARTERS by Clifford Fryman. Just have an open, eager, creative mind and pounce on one of the prompts.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent ideas for writers March 5, 2012

By furkidz

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I try to journal nearly every day, but sometimes there just isn't much to write about or I can't get my creativity flowing. Story Starters by Clifford Fryman solves that problem. I click to a random page on my Kindle, and use one of the ideas for a poem, short story, or essay. I attended a writing class, and the most difficult part of a commitment to writing for most of the students was a lack of inspiration; this little gem solves that problem. Some of the ideas are humorous, dark, or witty; others are contemplative or thought-provoking; while still more inspire great ideas for young writers. When I substitute teach a middle-school writing class, I use some of these ideas as 'Journal Starters' for the kids. They enjoy writing on such unique ideas and then sharing some of their entries if they choose. Well worth the price.

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