"There once was a man from Nantucket.." We all love stories. Whether they're vulgar or somber, moving or silly, everyone likes to hear about someone else's life, even if the subject of the story has been wholly invented by the author. Stories help us escape from the rigors of everyday life and shrug off our problems, at least for a little while. Here at Phillippe DiFolco, we're all about stories. If you you'd like to learn how to write a story, if you're looking to share stories, read stories, or even get a little inspiration with the one you're working on, you've come to the right place.

Most people think they've got a really great story rattling around inside their heads. Unfortunately, they'll never know because they never take the time to sit down and translate it onto paper. The first step in writing your own story, therefore, is to motivate yourself. You're showing the first glimmer of motivation by coming here, so why not take it one step further and check out our articles on writing? We've got it all: characters, plots, themes, symbolism, structure, genre, and more! If you're not sure where to begin with your story, start with our articles.

If you really want to develop your writing skills to a razor sharpness, you need to read stories. Short stories, novels, screenplays, travelogues, toothpaste tubes - read everything in sight and then go digging for more under the surface. We've been around for a long time, so we know who the masters of the craft are. If you're looking for advice on what to read, look no further! We know them all, from Asimov to Zola, and can point you in the right direction. We've even got some of the all time classics posted right here on our website!

You never know who the next great storyteller is going to be, which is why we like to keep out minds open to all new material. You should too! That's why we've collected amateur short stories from readers like you. Browse through and see what you can learn from other people's successes and mistakes, and when you're done, why not submit your own story? It's a great way to get exposure and feedback from both people in the same boat as well as those people who have already made it to shore.

Often the best place to start is with a concept or idea. If you're a little short on inspiration right now, no problem! We've got plenty of blurbs, settings, character prompts, and first lines to help you get started. Don't worry about duplicating another's work. No two brains are alike! You'd be amazed at how many different stories can arise from the same first line or character. Check the inspiration section for something that catches your eye and run with it. Or, you can take a stab at the world's most common first line. "There once was a man from Nantucket..." Go

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