What is a story writing?
A story writing is work of “fiction or imagination” that is usually written in “easily understandable grammatical structure” with “natural flow of speech”. Story writing is meant to be read at single sitting and therefore it should be as direct and brief as possible.
Typically story writing has five key elements – Character (fewer is better), Setting (brief but poetic and vivid), Plot (as simple and interesting as possible), Conflict (intense but one), and Theme (relating to majority of readers).
A character is someone or something that takes part in actions depicted in the short story. It could be a living person, a dead person, a ghost, an imaginary character, a robot, a dog, a toy… unlimited list.
The golden rule for selecting characters in story writing is “Fewer are better”. A story writing would more effectively convey its meaning if it has very few characters – one protagonist, one other main character and no supporting or side characters would be ideal.
Animating character with perfect adjectives and examples are a must however, typically while writing short stories, do not fall overdo the characterization.
Time frame and place constitute setting of story writing. The setting is often decorated with descriptions of scenes such as super market, bedroom, crowded metro train, or drizzling evening… again unlimited list. These descriptions are very important to make reader immerse in the plot.
Central idea or main belief presented by a story writing is called theme. It is skeleton or frame of your short story that is decorated by plot, setting, conflict and characters.
The five key elements (or stages) of a Story Writing are as follows-
- Character
- Setting
- Plot
- Conflict
- Theme
10 important tips to write story writing are as follows -
• Tip #1: Fewer Characters
• Tip #2: Develop Characters for Theme
• Tip #3: Single and Short Time Frame
• Tip #4: Vivid Surroundings
• Tip #5: Catchy First Line
• Tip #6: Choose Suitable Point of View
• Tip #7: One Conflict Only
• Tip #8: Intense but Real Conflict
• Tip #9: Theme in Focus
• Tip #10: Break Rules if Needed
• Tip #2: Develop Characters for Theme
• Tip #3: Single and Short Time Frame
• Tip #4: Vivid Surroundings
• Tip #5: Catchy First Line
• Tip #6: Choose Suitable Point of View
• Tip #7: One Conflict Only
• Tip #8: Intense but Real Conflict
• Tip #9: Theme in Focus
• Tip #10: Break Rules if Needed
As story writing involves creative writing skills, please follow the below mentioned points to write a good story -
- The narrative should be in Ist or IInd or IIIrd person.
- Setting of the story should be made.
- Time, location, context and atmosphere should be described to create imagery.
- Meaningful dialogues to be used. Dialogues should have expressions.
- Characterization - identify 2 - 3 main characters and a few side characters in the story.
- Plot of the story should be interesting but short because the word limit should not be exceeded. It can include the following -
- What happens
- Story line
- Action
- Flashback
- Climax
- Conflict
- Resolving a conflict
- Create conflict and tension
- Opposition between characters and their internal or external conditions
- Balance b/w opposing forces of the conflict
- Mystery
- Empowerment
- Surprise
- Empathy
- Crisis or climax
- Turning point of the story
- Resolution or solution to the conflict
- Open type- reader’s view
- Resolved – clear cut outcome
- Parallel to beginning- same as the starting of the story
- Monologue / dialogue of the characters
- Closing image
After reading the blog, attempt the following worksheets:
