Have you ever been to camp? Did you sit around the fire and tell scary stories? Now it’s your turn to write them. Let’s look at a template first that will help you with the writing. Go to Story Maker at http://www.britishcouncil.org/kids-writing-storymaker.htm. Go through the template and then read your story. Here’s a sample story made with the template. This is only one of the many types of stories you could make.
 

I was staying with my aunt in a house in the forest. One night I wanted to go out. “Where are you going?” said my aunt. “To the forest,” I said. “But it’s getting dark and a storm is coming. All the spiders came out when there was a storm. Don’t go near them and don’t touch them.” I went out and saw a lot of spiders. I went near and I touched them. Then I remembered what my aunt said. Too late! My teeth were purple and I was covered with cockroaches. I screamed and ran into the forest. Then I saw a wolf. When it’s dark and stormy he goes into the woods and scares people. Maybe we’ll come and scare you.

Now that you’ve tried this template, it’s time for you to write your own story. Remember, campfire stories are often scary, but they could be funny or just tell about experiences you’ve had camping. The first step that you need to know about writing a story is that it truly is a process of discovery. You can’t possibly imagine how the story is going to turn out before you write it. In fact, if you choose real-life characters based on people you know, or through research, they will actually write part of the play for you.

Remember these steps as you write your story.

• Setting: Describe where and when the story takes place.
   
• Main problem: What is the main problem faced by the characters in the story? What do they have to do to overcome this problem?
   
• Complication: What complication or added problem makes it difficult for the characters to find a solution to the main problem? How can this complication help you to add humor or suspense to your story? What can your characters do or say to help solve or further complicate the situation?
   
• Solution: How do the characters finally solve the problem and bring the story to an end?
   
• Message: What, if anything, does your story have to say about life to your audience? Is there a moral, a lesson, a point?