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Story Writing

As per the Dictionary 'A Story is a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program.' It can be presented in various formats including that of writing, drama, cinema or as a radio or television program. However, here we deal with the written presentation of a Story, which is actually the basis of all other forms of story representation.

Story Writing Skills

Story Writing Skills can be acquired through various methods. These methods are useful both for beginners are intermediates.

These are:

Visit Library Often – Libraries are full of material to be inspired. It is not just story books, one can read anything including fiction, history, geography etc. Whatever you read stays in subconscious mind and indirectly provides you plots, situations, time lines etc. for writing a story.

Develop a Writing Habit – Beginners should get used to writing as it is a habit that one needs to develop and hone. Take 10 minutes initially and write anything from any source, it can be a magazine, journal or anything that interests you. One can also Type on a Typewriter or the more used PC. As you progress you can spare from Half-an-Hour to anything one is comfortable with.

Read what you like and what you don’t – It seems understood to read what one likes but reading what one doesn’t like, sounds weird. But if reading such books broaden our scope and new ideas emerge. It provides us an idea on how to start a story or how to organize it in a different way.

Just Write – We often think a lot about what to write and what not to write. Often end up frustrated, spoiling our mood and wasting time. Sit down and start to write, don't criticize yourself.  Tell yourself that you'll come back and edit later. Let the ideas flow.

Story Writing Software – There are a number of software’s available for assisting in Story Writing. Some of these are available Free of Cost, while others can be purchased online. Though it can be called a Clinical Method but it does save time in certain matters as it provides a simple interface to manage chapters, scenes, characters and locations.

Some of these Software’s are:

  • Storybook.
  • yWriter.
  • Story Wizard.
  • Dramatica Pro.
  • Writeway.
  • Storybase.

Join a Writer’s Group – Joining a Writer’s Group or Forum provides one a platform to be appreciated and criticized. One can get a fair idea of where one stands. Interacting with various writers also provides you an exposure to the writer’s world. One learns a lot merely by interaction if not by advice.  

Story Writing Courses – If one is lazy or feels that he is missing something or that he/she should acquire clinical skills for writing a story or a book, then they can opt for various Story Writing Courses.  There are courses for beginners, intermediates or advanced writers. These courses are also known as Creative writing courses. English Story Writing courses provide ability to clearly express their thoughts and an in-depth study of literary terms and mechanisms which may not be available otherwise. There are various Institutes which provide such courses both Online and Offline.

Take Time-Off – Sometimes the monotonous routine of our lives may hamper the flow of creative juices in our minds. This is the time to take a Time-Off. Do what you like, play, party or anything. Forget about writing for a while. This gap refreshes our mind and provides us new ideas.

Read your own story, Aloud – After you have completed writing a story, print it out and read it out loud. This doesn't mean read it in your head. Actually read it out loud your friends or just to yourself. This will help you to catch many more mistakes.

Write the Introduction last - After you have finished the whole story, go back to the beginning and write an introduction that will capture the audience and get them ready for the story.

Although story writing is considered to be a God gifted art still it can be learned /acquired by Persistence hardwork.  A short story consists mainly of three parts i.e.

  1. Heading.
  2. Plot and 
  3. Moral.

Story Writing Tips

To write a good story the writer should be well versed with the plot so that he could arrange the important incidents in proper sequence without failing to emphasis on leading points.

Some general important points that one should keep in mind while writing a good story are:-

  1. The writer should go through the outlines repeatedly to have a clear idea of the plot in mind before actually starting writing the story.

  2. Important event should be kept in proper sequence and should be connected in a natural manner so that it appears to be a good composition.

  3. Story should always be written in past tense irrespective of the tense given in the outline (as beginner are provided with outlines of the story to be written)

  4. Conversation and dialogues should be introduced where ever possible in natural manner to make story interesting and beautiful.

  5. To joins the points containing details of action one should use his/her own imaginative skills.

  6. Proper heading should be provided to the story where ever asked for. One can chose the main character, objet or incident of the story as the suitable title for it. A well known quotation or proverb can also be a suitable title for the story.

  7. To provide an appropriate Moral should never be forgotten.

After completing the story in simple English one should always read it at least twice so that Grammatical and Spelling mistakes if any could be rectified to make it precise accurate and effective piece of composition.