STORY DOODLES, Stephen Bly’s Story Worksheet

Stephen Bly

All About My Story Worksheet

What’s a story worksheet? It’s for homeschoolers, future writers, and anyone with writers’ block. I’ve used them at writers’ classes, workshops, and conferences.

Do you remember (or your parents or grandparents) those cardboard matchbook covers that said, “Draw Me!” If you’re not of a certain age, probably not. They often included a cartoon character of a lady’s or man’s head.

(Do you even recall matchbooks?)

Draw Me! Matchbook

If you could draw that character, the company you sent it to would claim you had real artistic talent. You qualified for their writing course (as long as you paid the bucks for it).

I’ve always been disappointed they didn’t have one that said, “Write Me!” I could send them a story I wrote. They would tell me what wonderful talent I had and let me enroll in their correspondence course.

The truth is, not everyone is an artist. Nor can everyone become a published writer. However, anyone can have fun drawing, sketching, and doodling. Most all of us do it anyway. It’s personal expression. It’s fun.

In the same way, anybody can write a story. Think of it as story doodling. You can be a story doodler!

Here’s a way to give you a start. I’ve used this story worksheet for homeschoolers and public school classes lots of times, as well as for beginning writer workshops at conferences.

Sit back. Let your mind run free. Fill in these story worksheet blanks.

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“STORY DOODLE” Worksheet

My story is about a ____________________ named ___________________ who is ________ years old and lives in   ______________.

He/she/it wakes up one ________ and finds much to his/her/its surprise that _________________________.

Not wanting others to find out that he/she/it is ____________________ or even __________________, he-she-it sets out to ____________________ in order to find __________________.

Little does he/she/it know that ____________________ has already __________________.

Throughout the story, he/she/it struggles to understand ___________________ and through a series of __________________ finally discovers ____________________.

Now, all you have to do is come up with a catchy title (recommend six words or less):

” ___________________________________________________”

Voila! You have a story. If you’re really brave, show it to someone.

Or email it to janet(at)blybooks(dot)com. She will feature it on one of our blogs.

You are welcome to drag, paste, and print out this sample, as long as you include the credit:

Stephen Bly, BlyBooks.com

Or you can email janet(at)blybooks(dot)com and ask for a Story Doodle Worksheet attachment to be sent to you.

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FOR MORE INSPIRATION

Check out my books for kids BOOKS FOR KIDS

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When the Cowboys Come to Town

~~ 1 free copy illustrated When the Cowboys Come to Town available to you. Western novelist Stephen Bly assembled 31 of his cowboy poetry favorites and presented them in a display ready to hang on your office, barn, bunkhouse or privy wall. Spiral-bound, 9″x12″ illustrated cowboy poetry book with hole for hanging like a calendar.  Email janet@blybooks.com with mailing address to request.

~~ 1 free copy When the Cowboys Come to Town CD, narrated by award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Email janet@blybooks.com with mailing address to request.

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