Short Story Assignment: Plot Development

Let's move to a creative exercise with this post. Creativity helps strengthen your thought processes and your academic writing. Writing creatively doesn't mean I'm trying to turn you into a published author. That's not the path for everyone; however, you can learn to think outside of the boxes you have created for yourself and stretch the way you approach writing.  

Let's review a few things about short story writing: 

• Avoid information dumps. You don't want to give your readers large chunks of information about the characters or plot all at once. Information can be revealed as the readers needs to know it. You can also use dialogue with main or minor characters to bring in new details. 
• The story should have a good balance between dialogue and descriptions. 
• Readers need to experience things with their senses. Tell us details that help readers picture the scene—reveal what the characters see or hear or smell when they enter a new space so the story feels real and relatable. 
• Don't compare yourself to other writers. Find your own style. That being said, you can learn from authors that you enjoy reading. 
• Write a first draft. All manuscripts need to be revised, edited, and proofread. 

For this writing challenge: The plot should focus on three high school or college students who are given $500,000 each to make a significant change in the world. The change can be in their community, their state, their country, or in the entire world. They can work together or separately. The money is being donated by an anonymous person that is revealed at the end of the story. This story must be at least 1000 words but can be as long as you want it to be once you reach that goal.