How to Write a Story
Introduction
You already know how to tell a story. You do it every day! Every time you tell someone about something that happened to you or something you did, you tell the "story" of what happened. For example, if something funny happens at school, when you tell a friend about it, you've created a story. The trick is to be able to write it down.
Get Started
There's a very scary blank piece of paper sitting there in front of you. What do you put on it? Here are a few tips to help you get started developing ideas and working through them.
- Pay attention! Amazing things are happening all around you. You just have to see them. "Like what," you say? Well, the next time you are out shopping, look around you and try to count the number of people you see with red hair. Is there a story in that? The guy who wrote the Sherlock Holmes stories thought so! Paying attention to the world around you is the first step in developing ideas.
- Listen! How do people put words together when they talk? Words fall into place and make stories. The more you listen to others, the better writer you will become.
- Think! When somebody tells you about something, think about it for a minute. Are there two sides to the story? Is Mrs. ABC really and truly the worst teacher in the world? Is Coach XYZ really blind and stupid? Is that famous actress with the blond hair as smart as she seems in the movie? Will your liver actually turn upside down if you stand on your head? Are elephants the only mammals who can't jump? Question things. You'll be surprised how many ideas you'll get that way.
- Get used to writing! Start a diary. When you see something interesting or when something happens, make a note of it in your diary. Your diary doesn't have to be fancy, either. A small notebook will do.
- Read a book! You know those funny-looking things made from papers stuck togeher with words inside? You can find them all kinds of places, like libraries, schools, and even grocery stores. Pick one up and start reading.
- About that blank piece of paper. . . . Pick up your pencil. . . . Close your eyes. . . . Write the word 'Now.' The paper is no longer blank and your story has begun. (If you're typing, close your eyes and hit some keys. It really doesn't matter what word it is. Get that paper dirty so it's no longer blank.)
HOW TO WRITE A STORY
Introduction
We are all storytellers. And story is 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......unfortunately nobody knows what they are. Just kidding.
Actually these are the secrets:1. PRACTICE
2. PRACTICE
3. PRACTICE
Practice changed me from being a kid who liked to draw and write, into an adult who has written and illustrated many children's books. Would you like to be a story writer, too? I'll show you how.
We are all storytellers. And story is 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......unfortunately nobody knows what they are. Just kidding.
Actually these are the secrets:1. PRACTICE
2. PRACTICE
3. PRACTICE
Practice changed me from being a kid who liked to draw and write, into an adult who has written and illustrated many children's books. Would you like to be a story writer, too? I'll show you how.
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.
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 -- The person, animal or thing your story is about
Every story starts with a main character. It can be any animal, human or thing you want it to be. One suggestion: try choosing a main character you like to draw, if you plan to illustrate your story.
Every story starts with a main character. It can be any animal, human or thing you want it to be. One suggestion: try choosing a main character you like to draw, if you plan to illustrate your story.
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?
• What does he, she or it like/dislike?
• What is your character's personality?
• What does your character look like?
HOW TO WRITE A STORY (cont.)
When you start getting answers, you can draw a character web, like this example. Put your main character's name in the circle in the middle, and all of his or her characteristics along the lines coming out of the circle.
Here's another hint:
Draw a picture of your main character. That will help you visualize what he or she is like.
When you start getting answers, you can draw a character web, like this example. Put your main character's name in the circle in the middle, and all of his or her characteristics along the lines coming out of the circle.
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. What would The Wizard of Oz be without Oz? Just a story about a girl and a dog in dusty old Kansas, that's what.
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. What would The Wizard of Oz be without Oz? Just a story about a girl and a dog in dusty old Kansas, that's what.
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?
• 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. Snooze city. 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.
Without a problem, your story would be dull as watching paint dry. Snooze city. 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.
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?
• 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 -- 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.
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.
HOW TO WRITE A STORY (cont.)
Hint:
Look back at your character web, and see if one of your hero's characteristics can help him or her solve the problem. It's even better if one of their faults turns out to be a strength.
Look back at your character web, and see if one of your hero's characteristics can help him or her solve the problem. It's even better if one of their faults turns out to be a strength.
Ask yourself these questions:• How does your main character finally solve the problem?
• If possible, can they solve it using their own strength or wits?
• Does the story or character end up back where it started?
• If possible, can they solve it using their own strength or wits?
• 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.
• 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.
How to Write a Fairy Tale
If you ever thought you could pen a better story then Cinderella then writing fairytales might be for you. Many modern fairytales are re-makes of classics such as "Cinderella" or "Little Red Riding Hood," but if you're imaginative and follow these simple rules of writing a fairytale then your story may be mentioned with one of the classics one day. Read on to learn more.
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
- 1Decide what lesson your fairytale is going to teach before you write it. At their core fairy tales are morality tales from the horror of stepmothers to not talking to strangers. They are generally teaching something and yours should do the same.
- 2Create a good character. A fairytale needs someone to root for. They don't have to be perfect. Just think Jack in "Jack and the Beanstalk" or Red in "Little Red Riding Hood" but your readers should like them and want them to succeed.
- 3Devise an evil character. A fairytale must have an evil character that works as an antagonist to the good character. The evil character usually has special powers of some sort and they must use those powers in a way to cause the good character pain.
- 4Design a magical character or object to write into the fairy tale. The magical character can be the evil character but many fairy tales have both good and evil magical characters that work to off-set the other's influence.
- 5Identify what obstacles your good character is going to have to face. Whatever the obstacle it should seem insurmountable and genuinely require a bit of creativity by your good character and a little magical assistance.
- 6Write a happy ending. A fairytale isn't a fairytale unless it has a happy ending. Your good character must succeed and your evil character must lose and lose in a big way so you can write your "happily ever after."
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