Decide on the type of story you want to write and write a summary paragraph describing the story as if you are explaining it to somebody else. This may include a short description and names of your main characters, information about the setting and the theme of the story.
Choose a theme for your story. The theme is the message you are sending to the reader with the story. Ask yourself what the point of the story is and how you will help the reader understand your message through the characters.
Develop your characters, starting with the protagonist and antagonist. Keep the number of characters to a minimum for a short story, as you only have a short amount of time in which to introduce and develop them. Create a detailed description for each one, even if you will not need all of the information in your story. This helps you to get in touch with the characters in order to decide their path in the story. Include details such as appearance, likes and dislikes, personality traits, flaws, talents, background and lifestyle.
Outline your story including setting, context, plot, conflict, the climax or crisis and a resolution. Include what each character's role is in the different sections of the story, how the setting helps tell the story, what struggle the protagonist goes through and how she learns to overcome it. Be as detailed as you want in the outline; it will be your guide when you begin to write the story.
Write your first paragraph beginning with a catchy first sentence. Your first sentence is what will draw your readers in and give them a reason to read the story. Your first paragraph will introduce your story, with the character or setting depending on your point of view, and include action, tension or conflict, something unusual or something unexpected.
Continue with your story as you develop your characters, plot and theme through meaningful dialogue, action and suspense during the crisis that ultimately leads to the resolution at the end of your story.