Story Openings and Titles for use in Therapeutic Storywriting Groups

Story openings set in fantasy

The dragon lay outside the entrance to his cave. Never before had he felt so lonely.

Once upon a time there was a tiny green dragon. She was lonely.

Smokey was a pea-green, middle-sized dragon who was different to his friends.

Gold Tooth was an eagle trapped in the dark castle. He was lonely.

The Prince lived in a magnificent castle with everything he could wish for around him but inside he felt great anger.

Many years ago in a faraway land there lived a boy/girl whose land was threatened by an evil dragon.

A Long Time Ago there lived a lonely Prince. He had a beautiful kingdom but no friends to play with

Princess Annie sat at the top of a tall tree, sighing to herself. She looked out to the edge of the dark woods and wondered if there existed another princess who felt just like her.

The princess lived in a beautiful castle on the edge of a forest. She seemed to have everything a princess could want but still she felt miserable.

The elf went into his workshop very early one winter’s morning. He was worried .

The princess looked out from the window of her tower. How lonely she felt.

The Prince stormed out of the room. He was furious.

Story openings set in external reality

She/He looked around nervously as she/he entered the playground.

Se went quietly up the stairs. She felt sick with jealousy.

It was rainy and cold. John felt cross and angry.

Tom was miserable and hated playtime.

She felt trapped and scared. How was she going to get out.

Alistair was miserable. He sat on the cold concrete steps outside the school and tossed small stones onto the path in front of him.

The bell was about to go and Laurence was worried about going out to the playground .

Cathy twisted her hair absentmindedly. Her thin lips pursed together as she thought about what had happened.

Angela looked at the floor, hoping that her flushed cheeks wouldn’t reveal how she was feeling.

Joanne woke up to her alarm clock. She wanted to go back to sleep and escape into her dreams. The thought of going through the same old day again made her feel sick. Nothing would ever change.

Tim dropped his bag on the floor and sat down. He put his head in his hands and wondered how long he would have to wait here today.

Isabel wished so much that she could be the same as everyone else. If only things could be different…

The girl woke up and in that moment remembered how angry she was.

Titles (External reality)

The family that was upside down
You’re not my friend anymore
The magic lamp and three wishes for Lou’s family
Bully Biggs- the tough guy
Help! Get me out of here!
It’s not fair!
Moving day
The Worst goalie ever!
Jack Steeple’s tragic match
Best Friends and Enemies
The Argument
The Nightmare at Number 9
Nick gets a red card
Such a Silly Squabble
Football Fiasco
The day I got the news
Second Time Around
All Change
On My Own
Why Me!
Two left Feet