By Deborah Lyn Stanley
As you begin your article, blog post, story, or book, focus on its heart. Heart is what the reader wants and narrowing the focus is great for your writing. Plus, remember this is a draft, we will have ample opportunity to make changes and polish this first draft as we move forward with our piece.
Outlining first, last, or in-between? To outline is often a topic of discussion among writers. A few prepare a rough outline, with some detailing every chapter from the beginning through to the end. Mapping an entire book is rare, though some are successful at this type of detailing. In my mind, the successful authors of this method have been cooking their book for some time. Their layout steps and the details within them flow more readily!
Since we discover much as we write, it appears the freedom of going with the flow of the story and the main character’s actions is best. I need an outline of some sort, even if it is just some guide points noted for the next day’s scene.
Satisfying stories are character driven: about people, weaknesses and strengths, best moments and failures. These hold interest as we identify with the characters.
It is the same for the writer. As the writer identifies with the character or characters, depending on the length of the project, we have more to say. You will find your voice there too, because the words flow naturally and reflect the writer. The syntax, rhythm, tone and pacing all make up voice. Aim for your natural voice, and you’ve found it!
Reading our work out loud is the hearing test. How about revising while listening to your-own reading of your piece?
Now for some fun story tips:
https://www.writing.ie/resources/the-art-of-writing-a-drabble-really-useful-links-by-amanda-j-evans/
by Amanda Evans
A Drabble (100 words exactly), Short Fiction (500-1500 words), & Flash Fiction (commonly a 1,000-word limit.) These include a flow of events as beginning, middle, and end. Being acquainted with various structures can help us and resolve expected questions for readers. It’s about assisting the connection of events and noting significant points within the piece.
Seven story structures every writer should know by Reedsy (In essence, structure refers to the order and pacing of the events, a roadmap.)
https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/story-structure/
Outlining first, last, or in-between? To outline is often a topic of discussion among writers. A few prepare a rough outline, with some detailing every chapter from the beginning through to the end. Mapping an entire book is rare, though some are successful at this type of detailing. In my mind, the successful authors of this method have been cooking their book for some time. Their layout steps and the details within them flow more readily!
Since we discover much as we write, it appears the freedom of going with the flow of the story and the main character’s actions is best. I need an outline of some sort, even if it is just some guide points noted for the next day’s scene.
Satisfying stories are character driven: about people, weaknesses and strengths, best moments and failures. These hold interest as we identify with the characters.
It is the same for the writer. As the writer identifies with the character or characters, depending on the length of the project, we have more to say. You will find your voice there too, because the words flow naturally and reflect the writer. The syntax, rhythm, tone and pacing all make up voice. Aim for your natural voice, and you’ve found it!
Reading our work out loud is the hearing test. How about revising while listening to your-own reading of your piece?
Now for some fun story tips:
https://www.writing.ie/resources/the-art-of-writing-a-drabble-really-useful-links-by-amanda-j-evans/
by Amanda Evans
A Drabble (100 words exactly), Short Fiction (500-1500 words), & Flash Fiction (commonly a 1,000-word limit.) These include a flow of events as beginning, middle, and end. Being acquainted with various structures can help us and resolve expected questions for readers. It’s about assisting the connection of events and noting significant points within the piece.
Seven story structures every writer should know by Reedsy (In essence, structure refers to the order and pacing of the events, a roadmap.)
https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/story-structure/
Now that we’ve established the most essential components of story, let’s look at seven of the most
popular story structures used by writers — and how they deploy these components.
1. Freytag's Pyramid
2. The Hero's Journey
3. Three Act Structure
4. Dan Harmon's Story Circle
5. Fichtean Curve
6. Save the Cat Beat Sheet
7. Seven-Point Story Structure
popular story structures used by writers — and how they deploy these components.
1. Freytag's Pyramid
2. The Hero's Journey
3. Three Act Structure
4. Dan Harmon's Story Circle
5. Fichtean Curve
6. Save the Cat Beat Sheet
7. Seven-Point Story Structure
Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author of Creative Non-Fiction.
She writes articles, essays and stories. She is passionate about caring for the mentally impaired through creative arts.
Visit her My Writer’s Life website at: https://deborahlynwriter.com/
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4 comments:
Deborah Lyn,
Thank you for this encouragement for us to write from the heart. Being vulnerable in our storytelling forces us to dig deep for our readers. I've found it particularly in my personal experience stories.
Terry
author of Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success (Revised Edition)
Hi, Deborah,
Nice article. Writing from the heart is sometimes difficult. But it makes for better stories. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement.
Suzanne
Deborah, thanks for this helpful article on writing from the heart. I think our experiences and beliefs are so entrenched in us that it would be hard for there not to be a piece of us in our stories. The key is, as you bring out, to know what makes a good story.
And I thought reading out loud was only helping me edit! Ahem! I'll have to listen better!
Best,
Carolyn
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