Some story wrting advice
Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 2:01 pm
This came up in PM with a first-time author who was having trouble writing. I thought it would be a good idea to post it here, because these concepts really helped me when I was just starting out:
I usually start with an idea for the beginning, and an idea for the ending. Then figure out where things would be in the middle... Write a simple one or two sentence summary for each of these three events (keep it short, details come later).
Build off of those three plot-points using the "divide and conquer" method. In other words, what major event would happen between the beginning and the middle? Between the middle and end? You now have five major plot points... If needed, you can "divide and conquer" again, figuring out what major event would happen between each of those five plot-points.
You'll end up with a handful of scenes (plot-points), each consisting of a one or two sentence summary.
To "flesh out" these scenes, think about details. What are the characters thinking? What are they feeling? What is the relationship (ie: are they close friends, acquaintances, or strangers)? What would you say if you were in this situation? What would the other character(s) say to you?
What are the surroundings like? Is it hot or cold? In a bedroom? Outside? What color are things? What do things feel like? I tend to use simple descriptions (ie: soft green grass, a very fluffy bed with pastel-orange sheets, etc) and let the reader's imagination fill in the rest.
When I can't come up with anything, I usually put in a scene from my past (or present), or a scene from a book or movie, usually modified to fit in to the story/plotline. It is easiest if you stick with places you know well, such as an old house/apartment (or even your current house/apartment), the school you used to attend, a place you worked at everyday, the local park, or a favorite hangout.
The four most important things are:
1. To just start.
Usually I don't have very many ideas at first. But as soon as I start writing them down, it just starts flowing...
2. Don't expect to finish it all in one sitting. Plan on doing it in multiple sittings, and don't be in a rush to finish (have patience and perseverance).
3. Start small. Stick with short stories first (ie: learn to crawl before you try to run).
4. Most importantly, after you've written something, wait some time (at least a day or two, if not a week), then go back and re-read what you wrote...
Many times you will think of better ways to say what you were trying to say, or discover plot-holes or mistakes you missed the
first time.
I usually start with an idea for the beginning, and an idea for the ending. Then figure out where things would be in the middle... Write a simple one or two sentence summary for each of these three events (keep it short, details come later).
Build off of those three plot-points using the "divide and conquer" method. In other words, what major event would happen between the beginning and the middle? Between the middle and end? You now have five major plot points... If needed, you can "divide and conquer" again, figuring out what major event would happen between each of those five plot-points.
You'll end up with a handful of scenes (plot-points), each consisting of a one or two sentence summary.
To "flesh out" these scenes, think about details. What are the characters thinking? What are they feeling? What is the relationship (ie: are they close friends, acquaintances, or strangers)? What would you say if you were in this situation? What would the other character(s) say to you?
What are the surroundings like? Is it hot or cold? In a bedroom? Outside? What color are things? What do things feel like? I tend to use simple descriptions (ie: soft green grass, a very fluffy bed with pastel-orange sheets, etc) and let the reader's imagination fill in the rest.
When I can't come up with anything, I usually put in a scene from my past (or present), or a scene from a book or movie, usually modified to fit in to the story/plotline. It is easiest if you stick with places you know well, such as an old house/apartment (or even your current house/apartment), the school you used to attend, a place you worked at everyday, the local park, or a favorite hangout.
The four most important things are:
1. To just start.
Usually I don't have very many ideas at first. But as soon as I start writing them down, it just starts flowing...
2. Don't expect to finish it all in one sitting. Plan on doing it in multiple sittings, and don't be in a rush to finish (have patience and perseverance).
3. Start small. Stick with short stories first (ie: learn to crawl before you try to run).
4. Most importantly, after you've written something, wait some time (at least a day or two, if not a week), then go back and re-read what you wrote...
Many times you will think of better ways to say what you were trying to say, or discover plot-holes or mistakes you missed the
first time.