INTRODUCTION
We are all
storytellers. And stories are all around us. After all, what is a TV show or a
movie? What is a book? What do you tell your parents when they ask, "How
was your day, dear?" You guessed it - a story.
You can write a
story about anything you want. All you need are the basics. You wouldn't bake a
cake without knowing the ingredients, right?
So before you
write, it helps to know the ingredients of a story.
There are three
great secrets to creating a story...
Actually these are the secrets:
1. PRACTICE
2. PRACTICE
3. PRACTICE
STORY
STRUCTURE
A story
is like a SNAKE with its tail in its mouth. It has a beginning, a middle and an
end. Some stories even end up in the same place they started.
For example, in
The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy starts out in Kansas, travels to Oz in a cyclone and
ends up back in Kansas. In my book, Surf Gecko to the Rescue! Moki the Gecko
starts out happy, gets mad about pollution and ends up happy at the end. You
get the idea.
Ready to start
your story? Then grab a pencil and paper, or open up a new file on your
computer, and away we go!
MAIN
CHARACTER
Every
story starts with a main character. It can be any animal, human or thing you
want your story to be about.
Start by asking
yourself some questions:
- Who is your main character?
- What does he, she or it like/dislike?
- What is your character's personality?
|
What does your character
look like? |
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Here's
another hint: Draw a picture of your main character. That will help you visualize
what he or she is like.
SETTING
Where
your story takes place. Every story needs to take place somewhere. Well, duh,
you might say. But your story's setting can have either a big or little impact
on the story.
Ask yourself
these questions:
- Where does your story take place -- on
the moon, in Hawaii, inside your dad's nose, or someplace completely
different?
- When does your story take place: past,
present or future?
- How much does your setting affect your
main character's problem?
PROBLEM
The challenge
your character must face and overcome.
Without a
problem, your story would be dull as watching paint dry. But when you give your
main character a problem to solve, your story comes alive. Be sure to make it a
big enough problem. Remember: having a hangnail isn't much of a problem, but
hanging on a cliff is.
Important
tip: Use
the magic of conflict. Conflict means someone or something tries to stop your
character from solving the problem. The more times your hero tries and fails,
the better.
Ask yourself
these questions:
- What is your main character's problem?
- Is it a big enough problem that it will
take a whole story to solve it?
- How does your main character try and
fail to solve her or his problem?
RESOLUTION/SOLUTION
How the
character finally solves the problem
The most
satisfying resolutions come when you think your hero is about to give up. When
they've tried everything else, they finally solve the problem. It's best if
your main character solves the problem on his or her own.
Hint: Look back at your character
web, and see if one of your hero's characteristics can help him or her solve
the problem.
Ask yourself
these questions:
- How does your main character finally
solve the problem?
- If possible, can they solve it using
their own strengths?
- Does the story or character end up back
where it started?
REMINDERS
- Let your artistic side go, have fun and
be creative. Write your story all the way through before you edit it. Only
let your Inner Editor work on the story after your Inner Artist has
finished.
- Think about a story you like. What makes
it good? Can you identify main character, setting, problem and resolution?
- Writing is rewriting. Write until you're
satisfied with your story. Feel free to change and rewrite to make it
stronger.
- Are you having fun? If so, wonderful. If
not, make it fun.