Story Writing Handbook

STORY WRITING

HANDBOOK

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For information:

Fred W. Duckworth, Jr.

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Effective writing involves a significant number of goals.

When you're writing about some experience you will want demonstrate a clear understanding of your audience and purpose.

You will make a point of maintaining a consistent point of view in organizational structure, including paragraphing when appropriate.

You'll need to establish a clearly presented central idea, maintaining a clear focus with relevant facts, details, and/or explanations.You'll want to ensure that you provide a thoroughly developed sequence of significant events to relate ideas, observations, and/or in memories.

Of course, be sure to include a beginning, a middle, and in end.

Strive to include vivid descriptive language using specific, concrete, sensory details that enabled the reader to visualize the events or experiences.

Be sure to include a variety of sentence types.

Use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization, making sure that such errors do not interfere with the reader's ability to understand what you wrote.

Make use of dialogue, wind and if possible, as an effective writing strategy.

As a writer, you should always aimed at emotion.

(Kindergarten and first grade students do not keep notebooks, but will rely on other methods for learning how to work like writers.)

Here is a list of suggestions for what to include in your writer's notebook:

Experiences you find interesting or engaging.

Snippets from overheard conversations.

Dialogue for two or more characters.

A record of responses or suggestions from classmates.

Attempts to mimic the various styles and techniques used by professional writers.

Techniques modeled during the day's lesson.

Phrases that are memorable

Ideas for stories or reports

Personal thoughts.

Lines from homes.

Notes on writing strategies taught by your teacher.

Descriptions of people, both real and imaginary.

Formats for outlines or other "tools" for planning.

"Getting started" activities

CHARACTERIZATION

Starting a book is the hardest part. Some writers begin their stories without knowing their characters. But generally speaking, if you don't know anything about your characters, it will make getting started even more difficult. On the other hand, trying to know everything about your characters will usually delay the day he began writing.Therefore, having a casual acquaintance with the people that will populate your story is probably the best approach. Electric characters grow as you're right. By doing this, they'll become part of you and will make your job easier.

What a character in a story says, does, thinks, and feels those the reader with the character is like. These features of a character are called character traits. Like people in real life, characters and stories have reasons or motives for the way they act. Sometimes the author will tell the reader directly what a character's motives are. Other times the reader must decide why he character asks a certain way. Characters can also change in the story. Many times these changes are result of what the character has learned or experienced. As you write, consider your characters traits, motives, and changes.

You can find ideas for characters everywhere you go. Keep your eyes open. Look around you. You can even find characters in yourself. Many times, parts of the characters you put in your stories will subconsciously come from your background. You can do this consciously as well. Think about memorable times in your life. Relieving the past is a good way to create strong characters.

Your ideas for characters can also come from people you have known or people that you have met. However, when using such people as the basis for your characters, make sure that you change them a little. Only use pieces of such people, because if you try to write your plot to fit your real-life people, you will probably end up with the weak plot and weak characters.

Make a concerted effort to become the characters you write about. When you begin your story, crawl into their skins.

One thing, you simply must do is create characters with which your readers can easily identify. You also want to create characters that, live. One way of doing this is through action. The best way to do this is through action. Secondly, you will want to use dialogue. Third on the list is using descriptions. Dead last on the list is through the analysis, which you almost never want to do. This is because you're readers want characters acting and reacting, not sitting around for pages thinking about what they did, why they did it, and what they're going to do about it. Lets look at each of these one by one.

Readers want to experience with the characters that they are reading about are experiencing. They want to live through their actions. Therefore, rather than tell your readers what the characters in the story are doing, you should try to show it with actions. Don't tell them that Priscilla is kind. Let them see her being kind. Half are doing kind things.

In fiction, show, don't tell!

You can have your characters reveal themselves through the places they choose to go, their gestures, the way that they dress, the type of language they use, what other characters think about them, one of the characters say to them, and the types of names you give to them.

Don't have your characters look into themselves to longer too often. This is called internalizing and, like analyzing, it slows down your story.

When writing, don't get carried away with words. A minimum of words must exert a maximum effect on readers.

Also, introduced (or at least mention) all of the characters that will affect the story in a significant way early on in the story. but don't introduce too many characters at one time. And only use characters, you will need for your story.

DIALOGUE

Dialog can give, and a minimum number of words, the information you might take pages to give if you presented the same information in narration. However, try not to the characters talk to themselves so you can give readers information you think the knee. Your scenes will be stronger if you give your character somebody to bounce words off of. Consequently, it is better to give such information by having your character(s) talk to other people.

Dialog serves three purposes:

To develop characters.

To advance the story.

To give information and to help cut flashbacks.

ADVANCING THE STORY

Dialogue can be used to advance your story by building, building excitement, and/or foreshadowing future events that will be important to your plot. Narration doesn't raise as much emotion is dialogue.

Eliminate words that do not figure characters way of talking.

Characters are also developed by what they say about others.

GIVING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Flashbacks should be short, or else they will shatter the feelings your readers shared with your characters before you stop the story to give them background information.

Readers may resent having their involvement with your characters interrupted by flashbacks, So Sometimes letting your audience know what events took place before the beginning of the story can best be done through the use of dialogue. You could do this using flashbacks, but readers often resent having their involvement with your characters interrupted by flashbacks.

But if you put the information in dialogue instead, readers might not even notice that you are giving them a flashback. Be subtle. Your reader must not know that he or she is being informed.You won't separate your readers from your characters. Also, by having your characters engage in dialogue, you can create conflict and emotion.

Too used to allow the way professionals do, break it up with description and narration, so it won't become just talking. Don't word your reader to death with long descriptive dialogue and don't let them talk to each other too long without moving them around or showing their emotions by reacting physically to what is being said.

Move your story with dialogue in action. Do not merely use your own way of speaking in the quotation marks around the words. Your writing shouldn't "sound" as if the author were speaking for each character. Make sure that the dialogue you write reflex. Each characters, individual background and personality. However, while genuine dialect will enrich your story, do not overdue it. Only use a few words of dialect, do not fill every page with it. Just use a few words and phrases to make your readers feel that they are in this setting, you want them to be in. Moreover, keep cliches out of your dialog (unless your character talks in cliches) since they demonstrate a lack of originality/creativity.

NOTEBOOK II

To get a feel for how people talk, record real-life conversations in your notebook. Right down the things that you or your friends say our talk about. Also, right down conversation, she here in stores, at movies, at the beach, or on playgrounds.

You'll find that people talk on anon, search for words, break off in midsentence, change subjects, and repeat themselves. however, written dialogue is clear and sharp in only gives the illusion of natural speech, so you will need to alter what was actually said when writing dialogue based on real-life conversations,

After writing dialogue, read what you wrote out loud. Make sure that it sounds natural. also, look at the layout of the page without reading the words. Is the whitespace on the right hand side of the page shaped oddly. If so, you probably have a good balance between dialogue and narration. On the other hand, if the lines of dialogue are all about the same length, and the dialogue is probably monotonous. And if one voice presents a long line in the other is a single word, and this pattern is repeated down the page, then the dialogue is probably dull. Lively dialogue will produce different patterns. The more varied shapes, the better the dialogue.

If there are only two people talking, you can do have a page of dialogue without putting in "he said" or "she said". However, if there are more than two people talking, try to give them tags. Tags or gestures that people do subconsciously. If you don't identify your characters, your readers may have to keep going back to see who is talking and they will become first-rate.

They use these books to take notes on words, sentences, paragraphs, pages, chapters, and books that they want to remember. This helps them recall all of their inspiring moments and to create more later on.

Consequently, you too should keep a notebook where you can maintain a record of your attempts to mimic or "copy" the various strategies and techniques used by published writers, such as different approaches to beginning or ending a story, or ways of describing characters or settings. You could also use you notebook for sketching your ideas for illustrations that might supplement one of the literary pieces on which you may be working.

To get ideas on what to write, continually look all around for inspiration. Regularly write things down like expressive words, interesting sentences, and descriptive passages. In fact, write something in your writer's notebook every day. It will serve as a record of what you have tried, and as a writing resource throughout the year.

PLOT

Many times, the best way to learn a skill is to copy those that have already mastered it. So, when it comes to writing, you should note that many professional writers have a notebook they go to again and again for their ideas.

As a writer, you should be gathering ideas for your stories all of the time, whether consciously or subconsciously. Thoughts will come and go quickly, so you should develop the habit of writing them down as soon as they occur to you. Then refer to your notes whenever you need help with your stories. Keep a pen and paper with you at all times. Your mind will conjure up ideas when you least expect it, so be ready!

A gold mine of material for your writing is all around you. Pay attention to what you read in newspapers, articles, and stories. If you don't read this type of material, perhaps you should start. Radio and television might also sparked ideas the car and start you thinking about a story. Pay attention to news stories, commentaries to become aware of what problems people are facing in how they are handling or not handling these problems. Your neighbors, friends, and relatives are also good sources of information. Talk to them and listen to what they say.

If people have told you that you're a good storyteller, his psychology interests you, then perhaps your writing should lean toward fiction. if you like to explain how things work, if you like to do research, if you're good at organizing your thoughts and ideas, you might lean toward nonfiction.

First of all, you should write about what you know. These should be things that raise your emotions. Write about those things that most interest you. And while you should wait for inspiration, be ready for ideas that come your way. To get a feel for the kind of story that you want to write, read published material within that genre

How to Write a Story

There is no secret formula for writing a great narrative. Even so, knowing the basic techniques and rules can still mean the difference between producing the well-written or poorly written piece of literature. One thing is for sure: For your skills as a writer to develop and improve, you must make the time to write on a regular basis. A couple of hours a day would be ideal, but if 15 minutes is all that you can spare, so be it.. The idea is to establish a routine schedule that you will keep faithfully.

Getting Started

Writing is a craft, and as such, is best learned by studying one or more masters. The goal of this handbook is to take you through a series of author studies, mini-lessons, and a process of ever-more-difficult assignments under the guidance of your teacher, who will provide models of work that exemplify the fine points of creative writing and provide concrete examples of the concepts that go into the craft.

You will be presented with a carefully organized sequence of lessons that grow in complexity while addressing the component skills of writing along the way. You will learn writing strategies by analyzing and imitating how professional writers use them.

A series of assignments will give you multiple opportunities to develop skills and strategies.

Your first assignment will be to write a book review.

HOW TO WRITE A BOOK REVIEW

Writing a book review will provide you with the perfect opportunity to analyze just what it is that authors do.

Note that whenever possible. We like for you to do real life activities. Consequently, we will not be asking you to write any book reports. The only time anyone writes a book report is as a classroom assignments. So, instead, we will have you right a book review. There are people that make their living writing book reviews for newspapers, magazines, or other publications.

So, do not confuse writing a book review with writing a book report. We strongly suggest that you pick up a newspaper such as the Los Angeles Times and go to the book review section and analyze how book reviews are written. You will write your book review in that same style, following that same format.

ONE

Begin your book review with a sentence or an opening paragraph that is designed to peek the interest of your readers and make them want to finish the rest of your critique.

TWO

Follow with a description of what you believe to be the function or purpose of the piece. For what reason did the author writes the story -- what is it that the story is supposed to accomplish? Was the story written to inform, instruct, or entertain? Is there something the author is trying to say, a message s/he wants to communicate?

If the book was written as entertainment, in what way doesn't want to accomplish its task? Is it trying to scare its readers, make them laugh, take them on an adventure, or what?

THREE

, state, the story's greatest strengths, along with its most glaring weaknesses.

If the book was written to entertain, does it succeed as intended?

If the book was written to inform, does it actually do a good job of educating the reader?

If the book was written to instruct, is it clear, understandable, and on the mark?

FOUR

Now, go on to describe the book, elaborating on examples that support the views you expressed concern in the book's strengths and weaknesses.

FIVE

Finally, repeat the purpose of the book and very briefly summarize how well or poorly it met its goals.

Probably your last major writing assignment this year will be to write a fictional story. However, you should always plan a story thoroughly before you begin to write. Learn to write a synopsis (or outline) in terms of the situation, problem, and solution. Use the following steps . . .

First of all, state the form of fiction (genre) in which you intend to write and on which of the nine basic plot patterns you intend to base your story.

Second, state your planned narrative as a "story-in-one-sentence."

Third, identify the beginning, middle, and ending. Be sure that your story has a standard plot line and provides a thoroughly developed sequence of significant events to relate ideas, observations, and/or memories.

Now describe the main characters. Make sure you create main characters that are "likable" and choose appropriate character names that do not look or sound alike. Also, your main character should have one core quality with which everything he or she does is consistent.

Next, answer this question: What does the main character want?

To help clarify the conflict, explain what prevents the main character from getting what he or she wants.

Then describe what s/he immediately does about this?

After that, describe what happens because of what s/he does?

Now, what "black moment" does all of this lead to? (This is the crisis.)

And finally, what does he or she do to achieve his or her purpose? (This is the climax.)

When naming your story, think of a truly fresh and appropriate title that arouses reader curiosity. To write a good story, it will probably have to be at least 500 to 700 words long.

Begin your story with an opening that "hooks" the reader by introducing the main character and his or her problem through some kind of interesting activity. Clearly establish the problem, wish, etc. at the beginning of your story. Make sure that your story has a definite setting and that the total time covered by the story is as short as the material will permit.

Develop complex major and minor characters. Use a range of appropriate strategies such as dialog, suspense, and naming specific narrative actions such as movements, gestures, and expressions. In other words, "show" your main characters through action, dialogue, thoughts and feelings rather than simply "telling" about them. Use dialogue that is like "real-life" conversation. Make sure every word of dialogue contributes to the development of the story. Use simple words, short sentences, and correct English.

Also, use words that add to sensory appeal -- that help to paint word pictures. Include vivid descriptive language and sensory details that help the reader visualize the events or experiences.

Write your story in terms of the present and future, rather than the past. Tell it from a single (standard) point of view. Give adequate attention to both the surface story to the second-level story. And above all, have fun!

STEP ONE - PREWRITING

Getting started is the hardest part of writing. Some people think that authors sit down with a blank sheet of paper and just start writing beginning with the first sentence. However, that's not the way it's usually done. Most writers begin with a plan. A good plan will help you to create written work that is clear and interesting, so good writers normally start off with one. This is known as prewriting. Prewriting is when you plan what you are going to write by organizing your thoughts and ideas on paper using a graphic organizer (such as a web), outline, notes, or brainstorming. It is the discovering, deciding, and organizing phase of writing.

During this phase you might need to brainstorm topic ideas. That means you jot down all of your ideas as quickly as you can, even if some of them seem useless. Write all of them down anyway, and decide which are best later on.

(Maybe you've already thought of a good writing topic, or perhaps you have just half of an idea. Regardless, you still begin by prewriting.)

Once you’ve decided which topic you want to write about, your next step is to organize your thoughts about that topic on paper. The type of writing task will define the style of writing you use. For example, your task could be something you want to write on your own, or it could be a school assignment. Either way, by thinking about the task, its purpose, and your audience, you will be guided in your writing.

You can discuss your thoughts with others to help you develop a sense of purpose for your writing and the effect you want it to have on your audience. However, for you first story you will be crating an outline in the form of a synopsis as your prewrite. A synopsis is . . .

Begin your story with an opening that “hooks” the reader by introducing the main character and his or her problem through some kind of interesting activity. Clearly establish the problem, wish, etc. at the beginning of your story. Make sure that your story has a definite setting and that the total time covered by the story is as short as the material will permit.

Develop complex major and minor characters. Use a range of appropriate strategies such as dialog, suspense, and naming specific narrative actions such as movements, gestures, and expressions. In other words, "show" your main characters through action, dialogue, thoughts and feelings rather than simply "telling" about them. Use dialogue that is like "real-life" conversation. Make sure every word of dialogue contributes to the development of the story. Use simple words, short sentences, and correct English.

Also, use words that add to sensory appeal -- that help to paint word pictures. Include vivid descriptive language and sensory details that help the reader visualize the events or experiences.

HOW TO WRITE A NARRATIVE

You should always plan a story thoroughly before you begin to write. To plan your first story, you're going to write a synopsis (or outline) in terms of the situation, problem, and solution.

Here are the steps that you need to follow:

First of all, state the form of fiction (genre) in which you intend to write and on which of the nine basic plot patterns you intend to base your story.

Second, state your planned narrative as a "story-in-one-sentence."

Now describe the main characters. Make sure you create main characters that are "likable" and choose appropriate character names that do not look or sound alike. Also, your main character should have one core quality with which everything he or she does is consistent.

Next, answer this question: What does the main character want?

To help clarify the conflict, explain what prevents the main character from getting what he or she wants.

Then describe what s/he immediately does about this?

After that, describe what happens because of what s/he does?

Now, what "black moment" does all of this lead to? (This is the crisis.)

And finally, what does he or she do to achieve his or her purpose? (This is the climax.)

When naming your story, think of a truly fresh and appropriate title that arouses reader curiosity. To write a good story, it will probably have to be at least 500 to 700 words long.