Story Starters · A French writing book for B1–C1 learners
Write short stories in French. Make the language your own.
Thirty bilingual creative prompts help you turn the French you understand into scenes, sentences and stories that belong to you.
This is not a grammar manual or a school exercise book. Each prompt gives you enough French to begin—and enough freedom to find your own words.
Kindle edition available now. Want personal corrections? Discover the Writing Club.
A prompt from the book
Open one small door into a story.
Read in English if you need it. Then stay with the French and continue in your own voice.
English
Prompt 16
The Garden After The Rain
After the rain, you walk into a garden. Everything smells fresh. Near the roses, you find footprints in the mud. They lead to a small gate you have never noticed before.
Continue the story.
Français
Consigne 16
Le jardin après la pluie
Après la pluie, vous entrez dans un jardin. Tout sent le frais. Près des roses, vous trouvez des traces de pas dans la boue. Elles mènent à un petit portail que vous n’aviez jamais remarqué.
Continuez l’histoire.
Thirty prompts, five worlds
Small stories with room for your imagination.
You can write a few lines or a complete short story. There is no single right answer.
Small Moments
An ordinary detail shifts, surprises you or becomes the beginning of something else.
Objects With Secrets
An envelope, a key, a photograph or a suitcase opens a story.
Places That Speak
A street, a station, a room, a garden or a corridor begins to feel alive.
People And Hidden Lives
Meet characters who are carrying a story they have not yet told.
Very Short Stories
Create a complete movement in only a few sentences—and choose every word.
From passive French to active French
Not more vocabulary to collect. French you can actually use.
Find your own words
Stop only recognising French. Practise choosing the words that express what you mean.
Notice your patterns
See which structures come naturally—and where you need a more precise or idiomatic phrase.
Reuse what you write
Keep sentences and expressions that can return later in your writing and your spoken French.
Choose the support you want
Use the book alone—or write with personal feedback.
The book is complete on its own. The Writing Club is an optional companion if you want your texts to be read and corrected.
The independent path
Story Starters ebook
One book · Your own rhythm
- Thirty bilingual creative prompts
- Useful French for each story
- Write a few lines or go further
- Practise on paper or on your device
- No subscription required
The supported path
Story Starters Writing Club
$19 per month · Cancel anytime
- All thirty prompts included inside the Club
- No need to buy the book
- Post as many Story Starters texts as you wish
- All texts posted during the week reviewed every Friday
- More natural phrases and patterns to reuse
Your French becomes more natural—and still sounds like you.
In the Club, I do not rewrite your story for you. I show you what blocks meaning, suggest a more natural phrase when it helps, and point out the patterns that matter for your progress.
Every Friday, I read all the Story Starters texts you posted during the week and give you personal corrections and suggestions for each one.
Want to practise beyond creative writing?
Write, listen and speak with Write Your French.
The full $39/month programme adds weekly prompts, listening practice, short lessons and an optional 45-minute live French session every Saturday at 6 p.m. French time from 19 September 2026. A replay is available if you cannot attend live.
Choose Story Starters if you mainly want to explore creative writing in French. Choose Write Your French if you want writing, feedback, listening, and speaking to work together.
Questions
Before you begin
Is Story Starters for beginners?
It is designed for intermediate and advanced learners, roughly B1–C1. You should already understand simple French texts, even if finding your own words still takes time.
Do I need to buy the book to join the Writing Club?
No. All thirty prompts are included inside the Club. The ebook is for learners who prefer to own the book and work independently.
Do I have to write every day?
No. Choose a prompt when you have time. A few sentences are enough to practise; you can also develop a longer story if you want to.
Are print editions available?
The Kindle edition is available now. Paperback and hardcover editions will be linked here when they appear on Amazon.
Your next sentence can be simple
Start with one story.
You already understand French. Story Starters gives you a reason to choose your words, follow an idea and make the language your own.