How to Write a Story

Living love in words

Story telling is a gift passed down through the generations. It is also an art that can be learned. We all tell stories at one time or another; many people try to write them down, as well. How we tell that story, either by oral tradition as a form of verbal transmission or in writing, determines its effectiveness to a great degree.

If we take two hearts and place one of them upside down, it gives us some idea of the difference. The one that is right side up asks who wrote this and wants to read more. It is like saying helium rises. "Up, up and away in my beautiful balloon!"

The one that is upside down is like that tear jerker that says the law of gravity is serious, so get serious. Everything falls down.

When you are beginning to write your story, first ask yourself what you are trying to say in a nutshell. Pick a topic, become an expert on it. Stick to it and no roaming in the glen, so to speak. These are merely common sense suggestions.

There are other basics that are essential in a good story regardless of its style, length, or content. Each story consists of four distinct parts: title, introduction, body and conclusion.

With respect to the title, ask yourself these questions.

Do I like or love this title? Would I read it myself? How about another reader or a publisher? Why would I or anyone else want to read it? Do I really want to write that? Will that title capture the reader's attention immediately, or have I lost him or her already? Is it appropriate for your story? Is there going to be some kind of action happening in this story or with it, because of the uniqueness of its title?

The introduction is equally important. In essence, it acts like an invitation to a party. Looking at it, in that light or from that direction, ask yourself if it invites you or anyone else to that party. Does it excite you to write it? Would anyone else, including a publisher, be dying to read it? If not, why not? Dead parties are no fun.

The body of the story is going to be what holds the reader's attention or loses it completely. Look at it seriously. Is it intriguing, compelling, fascinating, challenging or exciting to you? Would it be attractive to another reader or a publisher? Does it have some element of surprise in it? Since this is the main part of your story, it needs to have something in it that will keep the reader reading on or you have lost him or her, along the way.

The conclusion of the story is going to bring about effective closure on your story. Look at it seriously, because it either finishes the story completely or leaves the reader hanging. Does the end of the story leave the reader or publisher wanting more, even asking for or demanding more? Or, is the reader bored to tears, sad or unhappy? How do you want your reader to feel? Have you accomplished what you intended to accomplish with your story?

There are other elements to take into consideration, as well.

Consider the characters in the story, for a moment. Are there enough characters in the story or too many? Are they well identified with distinct personalities? Are they consistent in their roles? How about in their speech, composure or dress?

Dialogue is important too, because it has to flow properly between the characters. Appropriate interaction between different characters, is equally critical in terms of different personalities and the flow of your story line. The sequence of events needs to be logical, chronological and feasible. The details need to be accurate, particularly if there is a distinct time or location, that is intended to represent a real life scenario, with your characters.

The kind of story determines the direction of the flow. Look at what kind of story you want to write and be aware of its genre. It could be suspense, mystery, fantasy, fiction or humor. The important thing is that all of the pieces fit well, in whatever genre you have chosen to write.

The length of any story is important because if it is too long, the reader or publisher may get lost along the way with respect to following the events in the story. Does it have excess verbiage? Is it unnecessarily long winded or does it get to the point?

On re-reading and re-writing your story, you might ask yourself what it leaves the reader with, agony or ecstasy? Have you caused your reader pain? Or, has what you have written whetted his, or her appetite? Has it evoked some kind of an emotional response and can the reader or the audience for whom it was intended, relate to it in some unique way?

Ask yourself a few other questions on a second re-reading or re-writing. Was this supposed to be a tale of woe or one of joy? Was it fun to write or work? Is it fun to re-read it or to re-write it? Is it simple, easy to understand and factual in terms of data? Did it somehow turn into a documentary and not a story?

The bottom line in all of this is whether what you have written would benefit you or someone else. Is there a teaching element to it? Are you going to take pride in it, after having written and published it?

Whether it will sell, might be important to you as a writer. If so, great. If not, why not? What were you looking for when you wrote it and what are others looking for in reading it? What is lacking, missing or still needed in it?

In conclusion, living love through words means that you, others and your publisher will all find something to love in your story. It is your story and what you have chosen to do with it is your choice. But, down the road a few hundred years, will it have signification? Will it be remembered or lost somewhere along the way? Will it be a dimino that stands the test of time, or a domino that falls along the way with all of the others?

Love never dies, so when you write stories, consider some of these tips. Present living love in your work, through your words and your story will be remembered. What better legacy to leave behind when your story has ended?