The StoryStarter Fruit Machine works by randomly combining separate plot elements. As you spin the reels, watch out for original, unexpected or humourous combinations. Some of the combinations will be nonsensical, but seemingly ridiculous combinations might produce a story with a fascinating twist - if you've got enough imagination!

Bending Genres The StoryStarter Fruit Machine comes equipped with the amazing genrebender (patent pending). The fruit machine contains bits from four different types of story: The genre includes the gruesome, ghostly goings on and supernatural terror of all kinds. The genre has advanced technology, other worlds, and interstellar travel. The genre deals with familiar events from contemporary life. In this genre, the ordinary can seem extraordinary. The genre ranges from Mills and Boon fantasy to more down to earth relationships, covering love stories of all kinds. You can set the fruit machine to mix and match from any of these genres. Try selecting just two genres, and see what interesting combinations are produced when you spin the reels.

If you get a story element that particularly appeals to you, you can freeze it by pressing its button. If you click on an element on any of the reels you can also edit it, or enter your own, by typing in the box before you go on to the final stage.

When you have got a combination that you are happy with, click on to get a copy of your story starting point which you can print out or copy and paste into a word processor. Then it's up to you!

Bear in mind that the StoryStarter Fruit Machine will not write your story for you. All the skill and interest in your story will come from how you interpret its suggestions, and turn them into an entertaining story.

For more guidance on this, see the unit on writing a short story.