Writing a story is an amazing process. It can also be intimidating, especially if you are just starting. That’s why we’ve created this simple guide to help new writers get started on their first work of fiction.
In this post, we will look at some of the key elements that go into creating a great story and how they can be used to get your creative juices flowing in just a few steps!
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| – Teaching stories can ignite inspiration in beginner writers. |
| – Sharing relatable experiences can motivate students to start writing. |
| – Personal anecdotes and lessons can make writing engaging and meaningful. |
| – Encouraging creativity and self-expression boosts confidence in young writers. |
| – Using storytelling as a teaching tool helps foster a love for writing. |
Setting The Scene
The setting of a story is everything that isn’t the characters. It’s the time and place where the story takes place, along with all its associated characteristics: weather, geography, architecture, etc.
The setting can be used to set the mood or tone of your story, for example, a scary horror story should probably take place at night in a forest.
The setting can also help you establish theme or message in your writing by providing an opportunity for a character to make decisions about how they live their lives based on their surroundings.
For instance, if your main character lives in New York City but one day decides he wants to move somewhere else because it’s too cold up there during wintertime (or whatever).
Then this shows readers what kind of person he is by showing them how much control over his life he exercises when making such choices.
Building a strong foundation is crucial for any aspiring novelist. Check out our Top 10 Tips for the Aspiring Novel Writer to discover essential advice that will guide you on your writing journey.
Choice Of Characters
The main character is the person who drives the story forward. This character should be someone the reader can identify with or relate to. The character needs to be someone you feel comfortable telling your story through.
If you are writing for children, it’s important to choose a main character that will be relatable and interesting for them. You could also have 2 or 3 main characters in a book if there is more than one point of view or perspective on what is going on in the story.
Conflict
As you can see, conflict is the struggle between characters. And often it has to do with problems. In your story, you will want to consider whether the conflict is internal or external, and also good or bad. Often times one character’s problem is another character’s solution.
A good example of this kind of tension can be found in the classic book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
In this novel, Jo March is struggling with how to get her stories published when her sister Beth dies from scarlet fever at age 21 and she has no way to support herself financially because she was cut off from her father after rejecting his offer of marriage if she didn’t give up writing forever!
This leaves Jo feeling like there’s no choice but for her to marry a wealthy man instead even though he doesn’t love/respect her as much as someone else might (which causes more problems down the road).
But then along comes another family friend who helps out by making sure that some publishers read Jo’s manuscript and offers them money for publishing rights instead so now everyone gets what they want!
As a writer, maintaining inspiration is key to producing great work. Learn valuable techniques in our article on How to Stay Inspired as a Writer and keep your creative spark alive.
Motivation
The first thing you need to know is why your character wants what they want. Deeply understanding their motivation will help you write an engaging story, and it will also help them make important choices.
So how do you know what their motivation is? Start by asking yourself these questions:
How does this character feel about the goal?
What obstacles stand in their way? Do they think those obstacles are insurmountable, or can they handle them easily? Does the setting affect their ability to accomplish their goal at all?
What does this person think about other characters who might be a part of achieving that goal (or not)?
Is there something special about each one that makes them unique and awesome in his/her own way, or are they just boring ol’ people who get in his/her way all the time like most folks do when we try and achieve our dreams!
And finally, how does this character feel about themselves not just as an individual but also as part of a greater whole called humanity itself.
Is she happy with where she’s at right now (ie., her current situation) despite its shortcomings;
Would he rather die than live another day without having accomplished whatever it is that he sets out on doing each morning before breakfast; how would YOU react if faced with similar challenges while trying to reach your goals today!
Action
You need to know what action is. Action is what happens in a story. It can be a physical or mental activity or any combination of the two. For example:
A character might walk down the street and go into a store for candy. That’s one action walking down the street, entering the store, and purchasing candy.
Another character may be thinking about getting some candy when she goes home from school, but then her mother tells her they don’t have money for it so she decides not to buy any after all…
And then this thought leads her to think about how she needs new shoes because hers are too small and hurt her feet when she plays soccer with her friends after school on Tuesdays…and so on!
That’s three different pieces of action: walking down the street; deciding not to buy candy; thinking about buying new shoes (and then deciding not).
Each of these actions has its own beginning (the beginning), middle (the middle), end (the end) & consequence(s) within each piece of writing that makes up that section/part/chapter/book etc., etc.,
Writing a novel can be challenging, but perseverance pays off. Find out how to overcome obstacles in our guide on How I Keep Going When My Novel Writing Hits a Wall and stay on track towards completing your story.
Time
Time is an important aspect of this story. Time is used to show the passage of time; it’s also used to show the consequences of a decision, cause and effect relationships, and conflicts with resolution.
The beginning of the story takes place on a hot summer afternoon. As we read on, we learn that “not long after” he got home from work…
…a storm came up from the west and was approaching fast. A few minutes later it began raining heavily…” The reader knows that this event happened recently because everything in nature has changed so quickly:
The wind blew hard against his face; lightning flashed across the sky every minute or two; thunder shook him as if it were coming from inside his chest!
Every novelist makes mistakes, but they can also be sources of humor. Explore amusing anecdotes in our piece about The 13 Hilarious Mistakes Novelists Make and embrace the lighter side of writing.
Music And Sound Effects
Music can help set the mood, aid in visualization and help readers imagine what characters are like. It can also be used to set the tone, or illustrate conflict and tension.
For example, if you want your reader to feel scared or uneasy before they even start reading your story – choose music with a minor key (such as C minor). If you want them to feel excited or upbeat – choose music with a major key (such as G major).
When writing sound effects into your story, think about how the sound might make someone feel. For example:
- A loud crash would convey fear or urgency
- A creaking door would convey caution or worry.
Section #2 – Get Started! 6 Easy Ways To Write A Story
“My First Work of Fiction” is a lesson plan that I developed for students in grades 5-6. The goal is to teach students how to write fiction by having them create their own story.
In this lesson, you will learn about common literary elements as well as how to use them in your writing.
Begin by thinking about a story that you want to write. Then, write down the first sentence of your story: “Once upon a time…” Or if you don’t want it to be so formal, try something like “One day…” or even just “I was walking through the woods…”
Next, think of another sentence that could follow the first one: “And then…” or maybe something more specific: “Suddenly…” If there’s an interesting twist at all (which there usually isn’t), now would be when we reveal what happens next!
This could happen at any point during your story but usually works best right after introducing our main character(s). You’ve got two options here: either choose one word and keep writing until it makes sense again (this helps us avoid using too many big words);
Or if there are multiple sentences left over from another paragraph before starting here again (because those were short), grab those leftover bits!
Plot holes can derail a great story, but they’re avoidable with the right strategies. Dive into our guide on How to Avoid the 9 Most Common Plot Holes in Your Novel to ensure your narrative remains seamless and engaging.
Conclusion
Teaching our children to write is a gift to them and us. It opens up the world, gives them a chance to see things they might never have seen before. It allows them to express themselves in ways that are uniquely theirs alone.
For parents, teaching your child how write can be a rewarding experience in itself. It’s like helping someone discover their own voice for the very first time it’s an exciting moment for both parent and child!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this little story about how my daughter learned how to write from me and why she’s such a great writer today.
Writing can be fun for kids if we just let it happen naturally instead of forcing them into doing something they’re not ready for yet (and if we as parents remember that).
Further Reading
Inspiring Stories of Teachers Who Made a Difference: Discover heartwarming narratives of educators who transformed lives through their dedication and passion.
Harnessing the Power of Storytelling for Learning: Explore the art of using storytelling to inspire action and enhance the learning experience.
Beautiful Lessons from Short Stories for Kids: Delve into a collection of captivating short stories that impart valuable lessons to young readers.
FAQs
How can teachers inspire students through storytelling?
Educators can inspire students by using storytelling to make learning engaging and relatable. Stories connect concepts to real-life situations, sparking curiosity and deepening understanding.
What role do narratives play in the learning process?
Narratives play a crucial role in the learning process as they create memorable experiences. They help learners remember information by attaching emotions and context to concepts.
How do short stories benefit children’s education?
Short stories captivate children’s attention, fostering a love for reading and learning. They also convey morals and life lessons in an accessible and enjoyable manner.
Can storytelling be used to enhance learner agency?
Yes, storytelling empowers learners to take charge of their learning journey. When students connect with stories that resonate, they are more likely to become active participants in their education.
How do teachers choose appropriate stories for educational purposes?
Teachers select stories that align with educational objectives and cater to their students’ age, interests, and comprehension levels. The chosen stories should relate to the subject matter and engage the students effectively.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.