Fiction
November 2nd, 2010, 05:35 PM
Anyone who says writing can't be taught is speaking nonsense: inspiration can't be taught, but writing certainly can. It's a skill, no different from, say, cooking. Some people have a greater appreciation for food, a natural sense for how different tastes work together. But they're not the only ones capable of whipping up a tasty meal. It's exactly the same with wanting to write. Almost anyone can learn how to put words on the page in a clear, intelligent manner -- they can even do so in a way that tells a story. If your goal is to write a story, or to learn to write better, this thread will help.
Freewriting.
Freewriting is one of the easiest ways to dive into writing, and it's a technique even experienced writers use when they're blocked. (Many people feel comfortable writing without much structure, but if you're not one of those people, then start with a writing exercise or prompt.) The best part about freewriting is that there is no wrong answer.
Write Short Stories.
If you're feeling hesitant about how to structure your story, or you have pages of prose you'd like to shape into fiction, start by reviewing these basic rules. Don't be put off if writing a story doesn't seem simple. With a short story, a lot has to happen in relatively few pages. Some people are better at longer forms, but it's helpful in thinking about plot to start small.
Plot
Now that you have an overview of the short story, drill down into each of the elements, starting with plot. Plot is what separates a freewrite from a short story. No matter how great your characters or your setting, a story won't be successful if the plot isn't structured.
Characters.
At least one character in your story should be well-developed. Someone in the story must take action, and that action will only be believable if the character seems real to the reader.
Setting.
Some people believe that setting is the most important element of a story, that it drives everything else. If you're just starting to write, this may be a bit abstract, but take it as a fact: the setting counts.
Point of View.
Once you have your plot, characters, and setting, you must decide how to tell the story: first person or third person? Third person limited or omniscient?
Writing Style.
Getting your story down may not be the challenge for you: you may have concerns about the way you're telling your stories. For the most part, style develops naturally, with years of reading and writing. However, there are elements of style to keep in mind, a baseline, if you will. Keep these rules in mind as you learn to write.
Not written by me... Credit goes to http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/crafttechnique/tp/write.htm
Freewriting.
Freewriting is one of the easiest ways to dive into writing, and it's a technique even experienced writers use when they're blocked. (Many people feel comfortable writing without much structure, but if you're not one of those people, then start with a writing exercise or prompt.) The best part about freewriting is that there is no wrong answer.
Write Short Stories.
If you're feeling hesitant about how to structure your story, or you have pages of prose you'd like to shape into fiction, start by reviewing these basic rules. Don't be put off if writing a story doesn't seem simple. With a short story, a lot has to happen in relatively few pages. Some people are better at longer forms, but it's helpful in thinking about plot to start small.
Plot
Now that you have an overview of the short story, drill down into each of the elements, starting with plot. Plot is what separates a freewrite from a short story. No matter how great your characters or your setting, a story won't be successful if the plot isn't structured.
Characters.
At least one character in your story should be well-developed. Someone in the story must take action, and that action will only be believable if the character seems real to the reader.
Setting.
Some people believe that setting is the most important element of a story, that it drives everything else. If you're just starting to write, this may be a bit abstract, but take it as a fact: the setting counts.
Point of View.
Once you have your plot, characters, and setting, you must decide how to tell the story: first person or third person? Third person limited or omniscient?
Writing Style.
Getting your story down may not be the challenge for you: you may have concerns about the way you're telling your stories. For the most part, style develops naturally, with years of reading and writing. However, there are elements of style to keep in mind, a baseline, if you will. Keep these rules in mind as you learn to write.
Not written by me... Credit goes to http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/crafttechnique/tp/write.htm